What is it that makes people watch American football?

Question

Just been on a visit to the US from Europe where I live, had a fabulous time, great people, so friendly, everything really cheap compared to Euro-land :-)

I just have one question. What on earth makes people watch American football? It seems to be just a lot of big guys with padding who crash into each other and very little else seems to happen. Or am I missing something? (I mean I'm not particularly into soccer either, but at least I can see why people watch it.)

Thanks!

Answer 1

Football has something for everyone.If you like excitement.It has it.If you like hard hits.It has it.Then you have the scheming between def coordinater and offensive.Who can out coach who.The addrenaline rush is amazing

Answer 2

I watch football because I grew up with football, I play football, and I breathe football (OK, maybe not breathe). Just like Europe has soccer and Iraq has the SBB (Suicide Bus Bombers), America has football. Hope I helped.

Answer 3

People think its funny to see people get hurt. And alot of people just want there team to win.

Answer 4

to be quit honest, i just think it's great past time.  

Answer 5

I just love it.  You may think American football is stupid but the majority of us think the same about soccer.  I'm glad you had a good time in America.  If people would visit they would see the majority of us are good people.  You get to cheer for a team from your own state.  But it is a very friendly rivalry between teams.  

Answer 6

It is our REAL past time.  Also, there is a lot more scoring and more beatings than soccer has to offer.

Answer 7

WELCOME TO AMERICA MY FRIEND!!!

Answer 8

The social aspect, I think. It is like people who watch all of American Idol, not just the first few episodes?  It give you a sense of belonging.  Something to be on familiar grounds with all those others who watch it.

Answer 9

most people watch football (soccer) not american football around the world

Answer 10

It's like the gladiator games of Roman times. That and its the history of the sport. Every little kid grows up watching their "heroes" play football. They get a bunch of friends down at the park to play. They get into school and join the football team. They eventually grow up and become fans of the game they played as kids. I think that's why it has become "America's pastime"!

Answer 11

Football is like a religion over here. No one is more devoted than a football fan. It is the best sport in the world. You can get into it.

I think the only fan that loves their team more than a football team is a Red Sox fan. LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

Soccer seriously. Seriously. The only thing more boring than soccer is golf.

Answer 12

Yeah you're missing something. There are a lot of things that draw people to American Football:

-Strategy

-Rivalries

-Entertainment

-Violence

-Tradition

and the list goes on......

Most fans of the game grew up watching and/or playing it. Football teaches kids many valuable life lessons such as being part of a team, determination, dicipline, etc....

I personally grew up watching and playing, I loved the game, the comraderie, the satisfaction....really everything about it. I spent a good portion of my childhood in an area that had an NFL team. I idolized them as a child, now I passionately root for them. Basically we're drawn to it for the same reason Europeans are drawn to football (soccer)

Answer 13

I don't know if you realize it but many people in America think the same thing about soccer as Europeans think of football. If you don't thoroughly understand football it may very well seem as if not much is going on. However, once you begin to realize the ins and outs of football the game opens up to you. Of course it also matters what level of football you see. Many lower levels of the sport can tend to get dull. Division 1 College and the NFL is where the real action takes place.  

Answer 14

Football is more popular and more people play it, i play it all the time, Man utd all the way but whenever american football is on english tv i watch it because i like chargers and patriots!

Answer 15

As a fan of both sports, I have to disagree with you. I admit that American Football can be hard to follow if you don't know all the rules. If you actually watch a game and learn the rules, it's one of the best sports in the world...after soccer, of course. It's actually similar to Rugby but I believe it takes more skill to score in American Football....go Niners!!

Answer 16

You are missing something.

A person who grows up playing not playing soccer (futbol to you) - might watch Bayern Munich play FC Barcelona to a 0-0 tie in the most exciting match ever - and think, how borring, they played for an hour and a half and didn't score even one goal.  They miss all of the tactict, plays, and give and take of the game.

You watch football and see a bunch of guys hitting each other.

We watch football and watch the battle of the offensive line against the defensive line, the battle of the coaches trying to change their defensive plan to beat the offense, the battle of the running back - and their work with the blockers to avoid tacklers, the battle of the wide receivers and the defensive backs, the decision-making of the Quarterback at the line of scrimmage - identifying the coverage and calling a new play to make more yards by attacking the weak points of the defense - and much more.  

Not to mention the forward pass - and the long bomb - one of the most exciting plays in sports - even better than the alley oop in basketball and the on-the-run header in futbol.

Also, the shear violence, strength, speed and agility of the players is exciting.  Different types of people play - teeny little kickers, quick - fast - defensive backs, behemoths on the offensive and defensive line - tall, bulked up brutes at linebacker, fast guys in the offensive backfield, quick sprinters on kick return and wide receivers - all have different strengths and attributes that are needed for different aspects of the game.

Soccer players are all the same, basically, quick, fast guys who can run up and down the field and dance around with their toes.

The game has a rich wealth of tactics, strategy, quick thinking, long-range planning, athletic skill and executino of set plays - all that combine to make the game endlessly interesting and excting to people who have learned all of those aspects of the game.

But I see your point.  I have watched cricket and wondered what the heck was going on - whereas those Brits thought it was the most exciting thing in the world.