Have any of you British saddo'ers tried to like American football?

First the disclaimer:

This is not a British vs American sports thread.
Sports are sports, and they should all be cherished, practiced, and/or watched.

Now that I cleared that up, I'm just curious. Does American football (pro or college) have any type of following in the UK? I know over there it's basically Association football first and foremost. I've learned to rather enjoy the sport myself. The biggest hurdle for me at first was the lack of scoring. But once you learn to enjoy the sheer ball handling skill and fitness of these players... it's kind of hard not to get caught up in the sport. I'm also happy to see that Association football is catching on in the U.S. I think the MLS has grown considerably and should continue to do so.

But American football has its own unique set of skills and strategy. It's a totally different sport. For those of us who have grown up with the game, it's quite exhilarating. I've seen over time that many of those who do not like the game it's mainly because they do not understand its many rules. I guess that would be true of any game. Once you get familiar with it, you tend to like it more.

But those who have honestly tried to like it and decided they don't... what is it about the game that you don't like? I'm just curious about that.

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Originally Posted by TitoFan

First the disclaimer:

This is not a British vs American sports thread.
Sports are sports, and they should all be cherished, practiced, and/or watched.

Now that I cleared that up, I'm just curious. Does American football (pro or college) have any type of following in the UK? I know over there it's basically Association football first and foremost. I've learned to rather enjoy the sport myself. The biggest hurdle for me at first was the lack of scoring. But once you learn to enjoy the sheer ball handling skill and fitness of these players... it's kind of hard not to get caught up in the sport. I'm also happy to see that Association football is catching on in the U.S. I think the MLS has grown considerably and should continue to do so.

But American football has its own unique set of skills and strategy. It's a totally different sport. For those of us who have grown up with the game, it's quite exhilarating. I've seen over time that many of those who do not like the game it's mainly because they do not understand its many rules. I guess that would be true of any game. Once you get familiar with it, you tend to like it more.

But those who have honestly tried to like it and decided they don't... what is it about the game that you don't like? I'm just curious about that.

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1..It's played by Americans
2. It's Ghey
3. You enjoy it
4. An anal fistula is more appealing
5. It's not exhilarating
6. We have enough Proper Sports
7. It's stops every five seconds so that not only the fans at home and in the stadium can eat a bucket of lard but also most of the players and some of the coaches
8. If your going to wear armour you should work for King Arthur
9. A game that is mostly about holding an egg should not be called football
10. The day an American called football "Soccer" billions around the world vowed never to take your "sports" seriously again

Alright... that's a start.
Let's dissect your response, Beanz.

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Originally Posted by Greenbeanz

1..It's played by Americans
Mostly Americans, yes. But more and more... other nationalities are playing American football as well. Especially at the kicker position. It's becoming more of a melting pot, if you will.

2. It's Ghey
What's gay about it? The huddles? The quarterback lining up behind center with his hands against the center's butt? Hmm... I can see where that could be a problem. But other than that, what's gay about it?

3. You enjoy it
Yes... immensely. Isn't that a good thing? ;D

4. An anal fistula is more appealing
I've yet to see scientific studies or surveys regarding this particular point, but I would venture to say that probably over 80% of the world's population would prefer watching American football to an anal fistula.

5. It's not exhilarating
Exhilarating to whom? To you? To Brits? Define "exhilarating."

6. We have enough Proper Sports
Is there such a thing as too much sport? Sports are healthy, physical activities good for mind and body. Can one have too much of a good thing?

7. It's stops every five seconds so that not only the fans at home and in the stadium can eat a bucket of lard but also most of the players and some of the coaches
Yes... there are breaks in the action. But mostly timed so you don't spend all day at a huddle calling the next play. And yes... some of the players are FAT (mostly the linemen), and many of the coaches. The players are still pretty athletic, though.

8. If your going to wear armour you should work for King Arthur
The speed of the game and the violent hits pretty much dictate that some kind of protection must be used. Otherwise, it would just be organized mayhem.

9. A game that is mostly about holding an egg should not be called football
Well... the name was chosen a while back. It would be kind of hard to change to "eggball" at this point in time. And it wouldn't sound as cool.

10. The day an American called football "Soccer" billions around the world vowed never to take your "sports" seriously again
AHA! The real reason behind your inherent dislike of American football. What's in a name? Really. Why should anyone be offended at a name to describe a sport? In the overall scheme of things... what's the big deal?

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Seriously though... have you ever seen a whole game or part of a game?
Just curious.

I smell a new british vs US sports thread about to start!!!

Fuck cricket....and darts

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Originally Posted by VictorCharlie

I smell a british vs US sports thread about to start!!!

Fuck cricket....and darts

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Meh... that was about 3 months and 8,000 new threads ago.
I suggest "Advanced Search."

Suck my balls Tito I'm hijiacking your thread....Premier League blows goats!!!

At ease, soldier.
Go shoot some Coke cans or something.

We have a name for exhilarating in Texas and it is Johnny Fucking Football. The SEC is thinking about expanding with a couple NFL teams next season.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp8iZAySN2M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ERPczcLlGk

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Originally Posted by VictorCharlie

Suck my balls Tito I'm hijiacking your thread....Premier League blows goats!!!

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Careful or my nanny will really go off, :( some of us are Capricorns round here you know.

Whats difference between aMERICAN FOOTBALL AND RUGBY THEN? Whoops

Except for the addition of padding and helmets?

A few of our boys and the NZ team are that size without the padding, head size too.;D

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Originally Posted by Andre

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Originally Posted by VictorCharlie

Suck my balls Tito I'm hijiacking your thread....Premier League blows goats!!!

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Careful or my nanny will really go off, :( some of us are Capricorns round here you know.

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Tito does have a kind of motherly nagging way about him ;D

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Originally Posted by VictorCharlie

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Originally Posted by Andre

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Originally Posted by VictorCharlie

Suck my balls Tito I'm hijiacking your thread....Premier League blows goats!!!

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Careful or my nanny will really go off, :( some of us are Capricorns round here you know.

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Tito does have a kind of motherly nagging way about him ;D

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Relax, G.I. Joe.
Surely there's some Soldier of Fortune reruns you can go watch quietly.

So basically there seem to be a handful of reasons why (some) Brits do not like American football:

• It's not nonstop action. There's timeouts and huddles between plays.
• Pads and helmets are used.
• Linemen tend to be fat.
• They call themselves football.

Anything else?

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Originally Posted by TitoFan

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Originally Posted by VictorCharlie

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Originally Posted by Andre

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Originally Posted by VictorCharlie

Suck my balls Tito I'm hijiacking your thread....Premier League blows goats!!!

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Careful or my nanny will really go off, :( some of us are Capricorns round here you know.

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Tito does have a kind of motherly nagging way about him ;D

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Relax, G.I. Joe.
Surely there's some Soldier of Fortune reruns you can go watch quietly.

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Nah me and my Texas Secession Militia members watched them all last night. Nothing to do but bust your balls this evening. Don't be so sensitive.

lol American football. so dumb. They couldn't get anywhere close to the 10 yd. line like us up north, so just went ahead and added another down. Weaksauce.