Superbowl

[NYCBlue]

Re: Superbowl

Looks like many others have had their say, but this is an obviously ignorant perspective.

Yep. Mouthing off about something you have little or no knowledge of is not a good look.

[NYCBlue]

Re: Superbowl

That is how I think of it: chess with elite athletes.

Its ability to generate drama is unparalleled (the best bits of test match cricket aside). In the last few years we had the Seahawks throwing away a second superbowl; the Pats crazy comeback from the dead; the mineapolis miracle which was absolutely amazing to see. Teams can be seemingly out of it, and yet find ways to win. The lead seems to change hands so much more often than it does in Football- it is just so good to watch when it is good (and it often is).

I also like that there are many and various ways to excel - just look at the different characteristics of the starting QBs in the Superbowl. And Brady is not the only "experienced" player out there either: the two QBs he beat on the way to the superbowl are Rogers (37) and Brees (42). I spend far more time watching NFL than football now. I got sky sports for the playoffs - I've not watched a single premier league game in that time. (I've suffered a few Cardiff games, but that is all.)

And these guys are supremely skilful: many of them could (and have) played at elite level in other sports, too. Kyler Murray, Russell Wilson are two that spring to mind. Murray was the 9th pick int the baseball draft, and then first in the NFL draft. That is incredible- I'm sure I am overlooking some, but it is hard to think of a modern era professional sportsman with that level of excellence in two sports.

THe otehr thing I love about NFL is the way the draft system does exactly teh opposite of money in football: it forces a level playing field.

Football is the best sport in the world, that is a matter of fact. It is so accessible, loved by so many and for good reason. I don't see how american football can really exist as a participator sport for many people: the infrastructure needed to have a game is surely a blocker. If I wanted to play (and I categorically do not, it looks terrifying) I've no idea how I'd even go about it. I've no idea if/how "pub leagues" work for NFL, but it seems unlikely. And therefore it is not even close to proper sports really. But at the elite level, I cannot think of a sport I would rather watch, with the possible exception of the very best bits of test match cricket. Football comes a long way behind any of that for me now.

Very well put.

But you left out the "Philly Special".

[Des Parrot]

Re: Superbowl

A one hour American football game takes about two and a half hours to complete. They are standing around half the time with thirty five second breaks between each play, breaks between each quarter, a fifteen to thirty minute half time, three time outs each team each half, advert breaks every few minutes, injury time outs, review and challenge time outs etc etc. Their players wouldn't last five minutes in a soccer game. Most of them are bulked up and overweight.

Your talking through your arse here dml. I’ve played both sports (& egg) and they’re not comparable, fitness wise the only sport on a par is Rugby League. The impacts are constant and from angles you’re not expecting. I loved playing the sport but I had more injuries in 2 years than playing football for 25 years