09-06-2003, 07:29 PM
Oh, as for American football being inferior to rugby and soccer... you can't relate them too much. It's like comparing hockey and soccer... sure, some of the rules are similar, like trying to get an object into a net past a goaltender, but they are different sports with different strategies. American football has complex playbooks, a coordinated passing game, blocks are drawn up and specialized. When the plays go well, it's a great thing to watch... and even when they go bad, it can be fun as hell. Rugby, even though it is the origin of American football, is very different. It's nothing but lateral passes and running into eachother until you can score. Soccer has nothing to do with American football, even though the name of the sport is the same in most parts of the world. Also, soccer and rugby are very fun to play, but boring as hell to watch. American football has more spectating value.
It's also cultural... if you live in the United States, there are four main sports; football, baseball, basketball, and hockey. Football and baseball are American pastimes. If you live in Canada, hockey is huge, probably bigger than any one sport in the US. If you live in Brazil or Europe, you're more apt to like soccer. That's just how it is.
I think whatever sport you prefer, people should watch and play sports. It's a great thing to use for pride, entertainment, and even thinking. People sit and have conversations for hours discussing statistics and plays, as well as their favorite teams. Then when you play them for yourself, it's exercise and use your mind in strategy. That's why I get frustrated when I have a few friends who know nothing about any sport... it's a very large part of American culture, and it shouldn't be ignored... especially when they don't know what they're missing... gah. Enjoy.
It's also cultural... if you live in the United States, there are four main sports; football, baseball, basketball, and hockey. Football and baseball are American pastimes. If you live in Canada, hockey is huge, probably bigger than any one sport in the US. If you live in Brazil or Europe, you're more apt to like soccer. That's just how it is.
I think whatever sport you prefer, people should watch and play sports. It's a great thing to use for pride, entertainment, and even thinking. People sit and have conversations for hours discussing statistics and plays, as well as their favorite teams. Then when you play them for yourself, it's exercise and use your mind in strategy. That's why I get frustrated when I have a few friends who know nothing about any sport... it's a very large part of American culture, and it shouldn't be ignored... especially when they don't know what they're missing... gah. Enjoy.