What do you think about American football? - Off Topic - FM24/25 Update

I have to say that I really like the sport. Some years ago I watched all play-offs games and I still try to do that. Not the regular season though. I just stick to the highlights for that. Unfortunately as a big sports viewer, the times are just so inconvenient. So 90% of the time I watch the games back later in the evening. That's more practical any way, because I can skip a lot of boring stoppages + commercials.
The games just take too long because of this. Though I have to say that because of it, it makes a touchdown at least as special as a goal in normal football.

But overall 3-4 hrs for a single sports game is just a bit too long.

Just like that I can't stand a Tennis or Baseball game anymore, since I discovered sports like Basketball (NBA) and Ice Hockey (NHL). Kevin Smith got me into that last one 😛

Don't get me started on Cricket btw. I tried to watch a full game of Cricket (yes it was Twenty20, a.k.a. the version for casuals) and just couldn't stand it. Another sport that is way easier to learn, than you think on first hand btw.

I would put American Football on #4 regarding my favorite sports to watch #1 is footbal, #2 is Darts, #3 is Basketball, #4 is American Football, #5 is Rugby.

I do understand the rules. They are not extremely hard to learn. The terms some times may look weird and hard to understand. The ‘4th and 7’ for example. 4th just stands for the amount of downs and 3 is the amount of yards left to not lose the ball. You get 4 downs to move the ball 10 yards further btw.

From my experience it's hard to ‘get into the game’ the first games you watch, but you need to grow into it and need to understand that it is in no way comparable to the European sports (Football, hockey, volleyball, handball etc). The stoppages (just like in the 3 other main US sports) serve another goal outside of the tactical. For Americans sport is all about entertainment and a little bit about the sport. I think you will be shocked about the percentage of Americans that only watch the Super Bowl for the halftime show (and the commercials). I mean, nobody I know watches the shenanigans that is before the Champions League final for example. So always keep in mind that America's sports culture is completely different. Everything is business and entertainment.

I mean, everyone know's the Wimbledon-MK Dons story here, while the NFL franchises relocate to a ‘better market’ all the time. Sometimes from the east coast to the west coast and everyone just accepts it. You don't really have a fanbase in it like you have in football. I mean, I'm always in for a superclasico, though you know that there are way better options for matches at that moment. You also watch games for the passion of the fans. The true passion really doesn't exist in the NFL. It kinda does in the NHL for example, so it also does occur in the US, but nothing compared to football.

And I also feel like I need to address the elephant in the room. Though I really enjoy the sport and love the spectacular moments, many research and studies show that the game damages parts and damages your brain in a way that's very unhealthy. It's one of the worst sports for your body and brain capacity (outside of UFC, Glory, K-1 etc of course). And the way that the organisations of the sport try to ignore that is just shocking. This article for example. As fun as the game is to watch, some drastic changes need to come in the near future. And that could also evolve the game to a better form. It could for example make way for more touchdowns (and fewer field goals).

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