General Discussion

pipi_k

(21,020 posts)

57. Well I guess no one is going to see

Mon Nov 17, 2014, 12:36 PM

Nov 2014

a point to, or advantage in, any sport they don't really care for.

I used to not like football much either until I learned more about it and realized that it's about way more than just running a ball up and down a field. Lots of planning and strategy go into the game. Planning for specific players on the opposing team...trying to take advantage of weaknesses in their defense or offense.

The spectacular plays, like the one-handed grab by #87 on my favorite team

I mean, damn...this is not a small guy. He's had a couple of surgeries on his arm and was out for the final part of last season after a serious leg injury.

How can anyone see that and say it's not pure poetry in motion?

Some of the plays really are beauty. A well thrown ball. A spectacular catch in double (or even triple) coverage. A punt return of 50+ yards for a touchdown.

Yes, it's violent, but there's beauty in it as well.

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Can someone tell me the advantage of football? [View all] tavernier Nov 2014 OP

It's a stand-in for war n/t arcane1 Nov 2014 #1

I can only tell you how my old dad described it. leftofcool Nov 2014 #2

Bread and circus for the masses. Rex Nov 2014 #3

Teamwork, concentration, focus, conditioning Recursion Nov 2014 #4

Focus? DetlefK Nov 2014 #41

Yes, focus. Stand on-line with an offensive line some time Recursion Nov 2014 #42

Playing in the band teaches the same. MineralMan Nov 2014 #50

Personally I hated band Travis_0004 Jan 2016 #77

What exactly is a "sport" then in your mind? davidn3600 Nov 2014 #5

I would think "sport" would be tavernier Nov 2014 #7

I think you're underestimating the skill involved in football Recursion Nov 2014 #11

It's a different game on the field than in the stands Scootaloo Nov 2014 #26

Lets talk about this "taught to purposely hurt" crap. flvegan Nov 2014 #6

What's the advantage of any activity really? The2ndWheel Nov 2014 #8

People have dropped from heat or exhaustion or pain in many sports mythology Nov 2014 #9

Great post. Sometimes posters post things out of emotion and not logic! Nt Logical Nov 2014 #13

You do parkour? Recursion Nov 2014 #15

Baseball has a lot more head injuries than you'd think, too. LeftyMom Nov 2014 #27

I was always scared of the baseball JonLP24 Nov 2014 #39

I don't like it, either. WhiteAndNerdy Nov 2014 #10

Allow me to introduce you to the Indian sport of Kabaddi Recursion Nov 2014 #12

No, I get that football isn't the only physical sport. tavernier Nov 2014 #14

Same purpose as gladiator contests in Rome. Cleita Nov 2014 #16

No. elleng Nov 2014 #17

I have minus zero interest in football. Quantess Nov 2014 #18

Down with Football! flamingdem Nov 2014 #19

Love all of you who dislike the head butting sport flamingdem Nov 2014 #20

I have no interest in any sports or athletic competitions... TreasonousBastard Nov 2014 #21

I don't think anyone in my family is interested in watching any televised sport Art_from_Ark Nov 2014 #71

It's a game. It's fun to play. It's fun to watch. It gets kids out of the house. LeftyMom Nov 2014 #22

track and field is soooo much better for kids larkrake Nov 2014 #34

cheerleading is just like a stripper who larkrake Nov 2014 #35

This comment is itself rather sexist. LeftyMom Nov 2014 #36

They also lead the cheers. (n/t) Iggo Nov 2014 #63

You either like it or you don't. JayhawkSD Nov 2014 #23

I don't get that either. LeftyMom Nov 2014 #25

I think those who enjoy it should do so as fully informed consumers Bluenorthwest Nov 2014 #52

In other words, yes. JayhawkSD Nov 2014 #56

Well... for certain adolescent males MannyGoldstein Nov 2014 #24

This message was self-deleted by its author guyton Nov 2014 #28

Because there is no advantage. southerncrone Nov 2014 #29

"Violence that carries over in players' lives off the field" cyberswede Nov 2014 #62

There are numerous examples of players engaging in domestic violence. southerncrone Nov 2014 #70

But is the incidence rate actually higher than the general population? cyberswede Nov 2014 #73

It gives men a default conversation topic, saving them from Ron Green Nov 2014 #30

This is the think I like least about football. ZombieHorde Nov 2014 #31

I get the same thing Bettie Nov 2014 #54

People enjoy playing and watching it. LostInAnomie Nov 2014 #32

I do not enjoy watching it, it is brutal and destroys bodies and minds for the almighty dollar larkrake Nov 2014 #33

K... Oktober Nov 2014 #37

With two sons madokie Nov 2014 #38

No doubt true, but while the comparison looks like it controls for nature and nuture HereSince1628 Nov 2014 #44

This message was self-deleted by its author radicalliberal Feb 2016 #81

A friend told me something interesting. Rex Nov 2014 #40

It has too many rules for me to enjoy it. logosoco Nov 2014 #43

lemme guess...it's "bread & circus for the masses" Inkfreak Nov 2014 #45

+1! Gemini Cat Nov 2014 #49

+2 nomorenomore08 Nov 2014 #67

This message was self-deleted by its author radicalliberal Jan 2016 #74

I like bumper cars too. panader0 Nov 2014 #46

I've never been a big sports fan, but my oldest son plays football deutsey Nov 2014 #47

You're not alone. I've never liked it. And in my red state, football is almost a religion. nt raccoon Nov 2014 #48

A good book: Against Football: One Fan�s Reluctant Manifesto by Steve Almond Bluenorthwest Nov 2014 #51

looks like you already made up your own narrative of what you think the game is snooper2 Nov 2014 #53

This is apparant ^^^^^ GusBob Nov 2014 #65

I don't think there is a thing wrong with Football yeoman6987 Nov 2014 #55

Well I guess no one is going to see pipi_k Nov 2014 #57

Your OP doesn't describe the experience my kids have had with football at all. Brickbat Nov 2014 #58

Football is in many ways just another sport but why do GreatGazoo Nov 2014 #59

The NFL has dropped its non profit status Travis_0004 Jan 2016 #76

Some people like it and think it's fun. Iggo Nov 2014 #60

No further explanation needed. nomorenomore08 Nov 2014 #69

Some people like it, some don't Marrah_G Nov 2014 #61

The advantage is AnalystInParadise Nov 2014 #64

Perhaps they were bullied by jocks in school. radicalliberal Jan 2016 #75

I don't relate to sports at all - but just because it is not my thing - I'm not going to knock it Douglas Carpenter Nov 2014 #66

I too often criticize those things I neither understand nor "get". LanternWaste Nov 2014 #68

There doesn't have to be an 'advantage' AgingAmerican Nov 2014 #72

Brain damage? longship Jan 2016 #78

We are alone tavernier Jan 2016 #79

My best to you. And GO SWANS! longship Jan 2016 #80