62 replies
  • OFF TOPIC
  • |
British invented both the game and the word Football so why are we brits having to differentiate between our game and American Football - Please USA use your own terms and find another word for your game!

JohnT
  • Profile picture of the author Kevin Birch
    Originally Posted by ArticlesandContent View Post

    British invented both the game and the word Football so why are we brits having to differentiate between our game and American Football - Please USA use your own terms and find another word for your game!

    JohnT
    The Warrior radar has detected incoming . . . please wear your flack jacket and tin hat while in this thread
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1673616].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Kevin Birch
    Originally Posted by ArticlesandContent View Post

    British invented both the game and the word Football so why are we brits having to differentiate between our game and American Football - Please USA use your own terms and find another word for your game!

    JohnT
    Heck, I can also think of better ways to make friends with first posts :rolleyes:
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1673621].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Michael Motley
    Well we were going to use the name 'Ahellofalotbetterthanthatsissygamesoccer' but it just didnt roll off the tongue as easily as 'football'
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1673801].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Glenn Leader
      Originally Posted by Michael Motley View Post

      Well we were going to use the name 'Ahellofalotbetterthanthatsissygamesoccer' but it just didnt roll off the tongue as easily as 'football'
      We have a name too. It's called Rugby, but without the
      sissy shoulder pads and crash helmets, that some football
      players have to wear.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1673848].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Michael Motley
        Originally Posted by Glenn Leader View Post

        We have a name too. It's called Rugby, but without the
        sissy shoulder pads and crash helmets, that some football
        players have to wear.
        Yeah, but here's the difference. When NFL players retire, they are usually substantially well off, most have a college degree...and most importantly due to the sissy shoulder pads and crash helmets, can still count past 10 without taking off their shoes and socks.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1673877].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author butters
          Just to add more fun to it England invented baseball .

          BTW this is how I see it, rugby requires skill and the NFL requires some, so the thrower and the catcher and thats about it. All the NFL people do is run into each other, in rugby you actually have to put in a decent tackle.

          But in all honesty, some of the hits in the NFL look painful.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1673948].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Kurt
        Originally Posted by Glenn Leader View Post

        We have a name too. It's called Rugby, but without the
        sissy shoulder pads and crash helmets, that some football
        players have to wear.
        Hey Glenn,

        Your argument is the same as figure skaters making fun of hockey players for wearing pads. Are you saying hockey players are also "sissys" because they wear pads and figure skaters are tough guys?

        Plus, every American boy that plays sports has played tackle football without pads for recreation. The organized game with pads is much tougher.

        As I've brought up before, rubgy doesn't even allow blocking (obstruction) which means everyone away from the ball does nothing. In footbally, there's collisions all over the field on every play.

        Not to mention, rugby isn't the UKs's favorite sport, it's soccer, whereas football is the US's favorite. Soccer, a sport where you can't use your hands...That makes it the "river dancing" of sports.

        Seriously, do some research into the concusions and brain damage our football players have before calling them sissys.

        nfl concussions - Google Search
        Signature
        Discover the fastest and easiest ways to create your own valuable products.
        Tons of FREE Public Domain content you can use to make your own content, PLR, digital and POD products.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1722621].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author jasdon
          Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

          Hey Glenn,

          Your argument is the same as figure skaters making fun of hockey players for wearing pads. Are you saying hockey players are also "sissys" because they wear pads and figure skaters are tough guys?
          Hardly a cohesive argument - when did you last see figure skaters tackling each other?

          Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

          Plus, every American boy that plays sports has played tackle football without pads for recreation. The organized game with pads is much tougher.

          As I've brought up before, rubgy doesn't even allow blocking (obstruction) which means everyone away from the ball does nothing. In footbally, there's collisions all over the field on every play.
          It's called tactics - rugby is a more cerebral sport. Not doing nothing - anticipating the play and moving accordingly.

          Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

          Not to mention, rugby isn't the UKs's favorite sport, it's soccer, whereas football is the US's favorite. Soccer, a sport where you can't use your hands...That makes it the "river dancing" of sports.
          No, that makes it FOOTBALL. Maybe you should change the name of your sport to handball?

          Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

          Seriously, do some research into the concusions and brain damage our football players have before calling them sissys.

          nfl concussions - Google Search
          Who's to say they didn't have that 'damage' before they took up the sport?
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3410536].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author Kurt
            Originally Posted by jasdon View Post

            Hardly a cohesive argument - when did you last see figure skaters tackling each other?


            It's called tactics - rugby is a more cerebral sport. Not doing nothing - anticipating the play and moving accordingly.


            No, that makes it FOOTBALL. Maybe you should change the name of your sport to handball?

            Who's to say they didn't have that 'damage' before they took up the sport?

            It's irrelevant that ice skaters don't tackle each other. The relevance is that Glenn called football players "sissies" because they wear pads. I guess your medieval knights were wimps because they wore armor? And how does that logic hold up to hockey players? They wear pads that are very similar to football players. Are they "sissies" too?

            Here's a clue for you...Many old-time football players (Mike Ditka is one) want to take AWAY helmets to make the game SAFER as the helmet becomes a weapon and allows players to hit in ways they wouldn't without wearing a helmet.

            Rugby is more "cerebral"? I sense you've never seen an NFL playbook or grasp the concept of an NFL QB having to read a defense in 2 seconds to determine what all 11 defenders are doing, like what coverage the D is in, who is blitzing, etc.

            And rugby players do a lot of "nothing" while the game is in play, since they can't block, they just stand there watching the action on the other side of the field. Much of our football action is AWAY from the ball...And that break you're talking about? That's the "cerebral" part of the game, with NFL playbooks containing 100's and 100's of plays. There is NO sport that requires the study of plays and game tape that the NFL requires.

            Why should I change the name? This is a kindergarten level "argument". BTW, it's called FOOTBALL because Brits brought the game to the US and that's what THEY called it...This is the same "logic" as us saying fries shouldn't be called "chips" because potatoes are native to the Americas. Seems you're full of "bull chips". You call your games whatever you want and we'll do the same.

            It's possible that maybe 13 out of 14 did have brain damage before playing. But don't confuse possible with probable, which you seem to be doing.

            And, it isn't very likely when compared to the percentages of all people...And if you are willing to bet against the numbers, it's hard to take your argument as "cerebral"...I think "defensive" is much more accurate.


            And here's an interesting fact: Rugby is the most dangerous team game in the World, when considering serious injury. However, it isn't players hitting each other that causes these serious injuries. It's during the scrum when the players have their arms interlocked, then the scrum breaks down and a rugby player hits his head on the ground, not able to break his fall with his hands, causing serious neck injuries.

            Having the scrum break down breaking necks isn't tough, it's stupid.

            And any REAL athlete doesn't need to put down others to prove how tough they are. The TRUTH is, it's the same mentality of love of contact that drives both football and rugby players. There are no wimps in either sport. And putting down football doesn't make you any bigger or badder.

            Here's Dhani Jones, a "borderline" NFL player, meaning he isn't a star and wasn't even on a team the year he tried rugby (note: this is part os a travel show where Jones traveled to various places around the World and took part in local games and competitions).


            BTW, not in this clip, when asked which was tougher, Jones said football.
            Signature
            Discover the fastest and easiest ways to create your own valuable products.
            Tons of FREE Public Domain content you can use to make your own content, PLR, digital and POD products.
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3416581].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author jasdon
              It's not irrelevant - you're saying rugby is to American football as figure skating is to ice hockey. Both rugby and AF involve tackling - ice hockey involves tackling and contact whereas figure skating doesn't.

              As for taking away the helmets...have you ever been headbutted? It hurts from what I remember.

              Anyway, as the thread was actually about the name of the game, 'football', are you saying it makes sense to you to call it that when most of the play, the ball is in the hands? It's as silly as 'The World Series' of baseball. I know, how about calling it 'Wussball'?

              Chips, fries, crisps...the potato may originate in the Americas, but it's our language you're using so we can designate what's what!

              (I hope all this is being taken with a dollop of light heartedness, as that's how it's intended)

              Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

              It's irrelevant that ice skaters don't tackle each other. The relevance is that Glenn called football players "sissies" because they wear pads. I guess your medieval knights were wimps because they wore armor? And how does that logic hold up to hockey players? They wear pads that are very similar to football players. Are they "sissies" too?

              Here's a clue for you...Many old-time football players (Mike Ditka is one) want to take AWAY helmets to make the game SAFER as the helmet becomes a weapon and allows players to hit in ways they wouldn't without wearing a helmet.

              Rugby is more "cerebral"? I sense you've never seen an NFL playbook or grasp the concept of an NFL QB having to read a defense in 2 seconds to determine what all 11 defenders are doing, like what coverage the D is in, who is blitzing, etc.

              And rugby players do a lot of "nothing" while the game is in play, since they can't block, they just stand there watching the action on the other side of the field. Much of our football action is AWAY from the ball...And that break you're talking about? That's the "cerebral" part of the game, with NFL playbooks containing 100's and 100's of plays. There is NO sport that requires the study of plays and game tape that the NFL requires.

              Why should I change the name? This is a kindergarten level "argument". BTW, it's called FOOTBALL because Brits brought the game to the US and that's what THEY called it...This is the same "logic" as us saying fries shouldn't be called "chips" because potatoes are native to the Americas. Seems you're full of "bull chips". You call your games whatever you want and we'll do the same.

              It's possible that maybe 13 out of 14 did have brain damage before playing. But don't confuse possible with probable, which you seem to be doing.

              And, it isn't very likely when compared to the percentages of all people...And if you are willing to bet against the numbers, it's hard to take your argument as "cerebral"...I think "defensive" is much more accurate.


              And here's an interesting fact: Rugby is the most dangerous team game in the World, when considering serious injury. However, it isn't players hitting each other that causes these serious injuries. It's during the scrum when the players have their arms interlocked, then the scrum breaks down and a rugby player hits his head on the ground, not able to break his fall with his hands, causing serious neck injuries.

              Having the scrum break down breaking necks isn't tough, it's stupid.

              And any REAL athlete doesn't need to put down others to prove how tough they are. The TRUTH is, it's the same mentality of love of contact that drives both football and rugby players. There are no wimps in either sport. And putting down football doesn't make you any bigger or badder.

              Here's Dhani Jones, a "borderline" NFL player, meaning he isn't a star and wasn't even on a team the year he tried rugby (note: this is part os a travel show where Jones traveled to various places around the World and took part in local games and competitions).

              YouTube - Dhani Jones on Trans World Sport

              BTW, not in this clip, when asked which was tougher, Jones said football.
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3421889].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Michael Motley
    the only thing rugby requires is a skull made of concrete
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1673999].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Glenn Leader
      Originally Posted by Michael Motley View Post

      the only thing rugby requires is a skull made of concrete
      Have you ever watched a real Rugby match?
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1674418].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Michael Motley
        Originally Posted by Glenn Leader View Post

        Have you ever watched a real Rugby match?
        why waste my time with a game our middle school kids play at recess...when i can view the sport of gods.

        how touch can it be, they play in shorts and knee socks.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1674491].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Glenn Leader
          Originally Posted by Michael Motley View Post

          why waste my time with a game our middle school kids play at recess...when i can view the sport of gods.

          how touch can it be, they play in shorts and knee socks.
          I rest my case. You're commenting on a skilled sport that
          you have no idea about at all. Rugby is played by real men
          as well as school boys, and there are a number of womens
          teams too.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1722557].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author discrat
            Originally Posted by Glenn Leader View Post

            I rest my case. You're commenting on a skilled sport that
            you have no idea about at all. Rugby is played by real men
            as well as school boys, and there are a number of womens
            teams too.

            Yeah i think Glen needs to get off his Rugby High Horse. I rest my case in that you are naive to what American football is all about, Glen. You would realize that we Americans started playing 'real' football in Kindergartden without Pads and straight head to head collision, skin against skin.
            Oh and yeah Glen another thing you ever hear the term "smear the queer " ?? Yeah it is what us Americans played in elementary school . One boy gets the ball and the other group of kids smear his face in the ground.
            Yeah but in your Mind we are all sissies ??

            Try telling that to Peyton Manning when he gets blindsided by a 290 lb defensive End. I read the average number of concussions a Pro Quarterback will get in his NFL Career is 6 !! That is 6 cracked craniums my friend !

            Does that sound like a sissy , Glen ??

            Case shut and closed.

            P.S. You say Rugby is played by a number of Women's teams ?? Well, there you have it..........sissies playing a sissies sports!!
            Signature

            Nothing to see here including a Sig so just move on :)

            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1725032].message }}
            • [DELETED]
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1725048].message }}
              • Profile picture of the author discrat
                Originally Posted by MarkAndrews IMCopywriting View Post

                Case opened again promptly, the Celt growls.

                But Glenn has got a point, you do all dress up
                like a right bunch of pansies with all that padding
                on. I mean, what are these guys, wimps or men?

                There's no need for it, it's just well, what's the
                word I'm looking for? Well, a bit sissified if you ask
                me lol.


                Mark #8.

                Pansies ?? Whoah there a second. The padding, etc...it goes both ways !!
                What hurts worse........getting rammed with a solid steel like helmet in the padless gut area. Or getting rammed by someones bare head in the padless gut area ?? Which one is going to knock the breath out of you ??

                Or how about getting speared in the padless spine area by a helmet going 20 mph ?? Unfortunately, spinal injuries resulting in paralysis is a major problem in American football.

                If thats being a Sissy...........well then I got a bridge in Brooklyn I can sell you !!
                Once again Europeans have NO concept of what it is like to play real football !

                Damn, your own woman play your beloved Rugby, that should tell you something !!
                Signature

                Nothing to see here including a Sig so just move on :)

                {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1725054].message }}
                • Profile picture of the author Thomas
                  Originally Posted by discrat View Post

                  Pansies ?? Whoah there a second. The padding, etc...it goes both ways !!

                  If thats being a Sissy...........
                  Pansies! Pansies! Pansies! Pansies! Pansies! Girly-men! Pansies!
                  Pansies! Pansies! Pansies! Pansies! Sissies! Pansies! Pansies!
                  Pansies! Pansies! Girly-men! Pansies! Pansies! Pansies! Pansies!
                  Pansies! Pansies! Pansies! Pansies! Pansies! Pansies! Pansies!
                  Pansies! Pansies! Sissies! Pansies! Pansies! Pansies! Pansies!
                  Sissies! Pansies! Pansies! Pansies! Pansies! Sissies! Pansies!
                  Pansies! Pansies! Pansies! Pansies! Pansies! Pansies! Pansies!
                  Pansies! Pansies! Pansies! Girly-men! Pansies! Pansies! Pansies!
                  Pansies! Sissies! Pansies! Pansies! Pansies! Pansies! Pansies!

                  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1725194].message }}
              • Profile picture of the author Michael Motley
                Originally Posted by MarkAndrews IMCopywriting View Post

                Case opened again promptly, the Celt growls.

                But Glenn has got a point, you do all dress up
                like a right bunch of pansies with all that padding
                on. I mean, what are these guys, wimps or men?

                There's no need for it, it's just well, what's the
                word I'm looking for? Well, a bit sissified if you ask
                me lol.


                Mark #8.
                pish-tosh my friend. Go ask a reciever who gets leveled by a 250+lb tackle or a quarterback that has 4 350+ linemen coming at him everytime he has the ball how sissfied his job is. And even though all of them are the size of a decent sized refrigerator, they can cover half the field in under 6 seconds and have the singular goal of smearing him into a quarterback flavored paste before the whistle blows.

                Add to that most NFL teams have a playbook thats thicker than most rugby players have the ability to read anyway and rugby and soccer might as well be school kids playing keep away
                {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1725457].message }}
                • Profile picture of the author Mike Wright
                  I suppose that hauling all that beef and starwars gear around is why NFL
                  matches always seem to stop after 5 seconds for a rest and to get their
                  next set of grunted instructions

                  None of that poncy stuff when I played Rugby years ago.
                  Mostly we just kept playing unless there was a lineup, scrum down,
                  a try+ dropkick ...or someone had to be stretchered off. No dancing
                  dollybirds or even supporters sometimes .... it was all about the game
                  and the opposing team. A pair of shinpads and a tough shirt was advisable.

                  You can stick "Sports Entertainment" where the sun don't shine
                  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1726778].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author tryinhere
    Australian Rules Football is for real men, we don't wear Sissy padding, and yes that other funny game is called soccer.
    Signature
    | > Choosing to go off the grid for a while to focus on family, work and life in general. Have a great 2020 < |
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1674025].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Sheryl Polomka
      Originally Posted by tryinhere View Post

      Australian Rules Football is for real men, we don't wear Sissy padding, and yes that other funny game is called soccer.
      Yep, Aussie Rules Football is the best

      However, I can't favouritize as one of my sons is playing soccer for the second year this year and my other 2 sons are starting Aussie Rules Football this year. Give them a few years and I'm sure we'll have a few arguments in our house over which is the better game.
      Signature
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1723845].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Lawrh
        Soccer, football, rugby, baseball, cricket, basketball. All just a bunch of men playing with their balls. I guess I just don't get pro sports:confused:
        Signature

        “Strategy without action is a day-dream; action without strategy is a nightmare.” – Old Japanese proverb -

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1724026].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Michael Motley
    I like aussie rules, its fun to watch

    It still doesnt have the god-like status of football.


    On a serious not though..for all you rugby/uk foottie fans, does the leagues you watch have like 'historic' films that they show? Anyone that has watched NFL for any length of time has seen the NFL historic films...big burly men playing in ridiculous snow/mud, the whole thing is in slow motion with really majestic music in the background..telling on the tales of NFL history.

    does rugby and soccer have those kind of shows as well?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1674117].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author mwashington
    I guess I have missed the point from the begiinning. I might be wrong but I don't remember football being invented in Britain. I know they call soccer football in some parts of the country. I think they are meaning the same thing. But football in America was whole lot different than Rugby, soccer,or what they called Football in other countries. Football in America got it's name because when they started playing the game in order to score you had to drop kick the ball through the goal post. It counted 6 points and if you ran the ball through the goal it counted 3 points. That is why Americans became at one time very skilled at drop kicking the ball. I have not seen a person drop kick the ball until just the last year or two when a great pro quarterback here in America decided to do it. However,it only counted 3 points. It really isnt so much about which sport is the roughest. It is about maintaining a good spirited game rapped around safe play. The rules used to help provide some of the safety in all the sports. The only thing I can say about any game is if you have to have an ambulance in the end zone during the game something is wrong. We in America have school policies concerning safety in our school as well in athletics. However there seems to be a problem with American football being played in schools that believe in kids safety and health and at the same time put them in a position that an ambulance has to be in the end zone. I question this mentality. We as Americans have definitlely questioned that kind of thinking through the years because we tried to make the sport safe and healthy by using pads to protect the body. If Rugby has not got yet where they have to have an ambulance at all games then maybe the game is not as injury threatning as football here in America or Soccer. But maybe if soccer and rugby does not have the injuries that Americans have in football and dont need ambulances, we Americans might need to look at adopting another sport that is less life threatning whether it is called motjo or not. But to tell the truth you statement sounded like it was the British against the Americans. It sounded like you had a chip on your shoulder. Surely I got the wrong impression and if I did please accept my apology.
    Signature

    Manuel Washington
    Internet Marketing Consultant Of The Future
    phone:479 619 5964
    skypeme:physical2006

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1724661].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Thomas
      Originally Posted by mwashington View Post

      I might be wrong but I don't remember football being invented in Britain. I know they call soccer football in some parts of the country.
      Football was codified in England. Football in America and football in the rest of the world are very different things, with American football being a divergence from rugby (and a game only played by girly sissy men ).

      All three (football, rugby, and American football) ultimately have their origins in medieval mob football, which was extremely violent and had unlimited players, who could use any means except actually killing their opponents to score a goal).
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1724981].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author J Bold
    Talk about annoying. Just wrote a reply to the topic and it the forum software erased it and it did not go through.

    Well, as I do not want to write anything that long again, just want to say the main gist of my post was that if you want to argue about this word, a simple lesson in history will solve all arguments, and lead to greater understanding. America is not England. England is not America. The United States of America is not even part of the Commonwealth. The sooner everyone realizes Americans speak a different dialect of English and that's just natural evolution of language, the better.

    But I know, people just like to argue and rib so logic does not matter for those who just want to argue for sport or joke around.

    Oh, by the way, Americans did not make up the word "soccer," we got it from the English, themselves.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1724700].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Sleeq
    Whats soccer??
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1725292].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jo W
    Soccer is football but because of the hero worship some Aussies attach to AFL it needs to be called soccer by the media, AFL is footy, American football is Grid Iron, Rugby is rugby! lol Yes, soccer IS the original football! ...I once joined a group called The Anti-Football League-it's symbol was a square football! hehe
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1729779].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Silas Hart
    Rugby is getting much bigger in America. I've been playing for only two years, I couldn't play football again (played since I was 10), because its not nearly as fun to play or watch as rugby.

    I love try outs, when the big sized kids come into rugby expecting to be praised for being big.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1731316].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Last_Knight
    I have seen all this talk before but the final conclusion will be one.
    Greeks invented football.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1732561].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author :Elective-
      Originally Posted by Last_Knight View Post

      I have seen all this talk before but the final conclusion will be one.
      Greeks invented football.
      The CHINESE invented football, and was played first during the 3 warring states period when it was called " 蹴鞠" or cu ju.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3415531].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Sevenhills
    Originally Posted by ArticlesandContent View Post

    British invented both the game and the word Football so why are we brits having to differentiate between our game and American Football - Please USA use your own terms and find another word for your game!

    JohnT
    Didn't the Chinese invent football?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1732726].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jazbo
    Within 10 years the USA will have qualified for the knockout stages of the world cup, and suddenly their whole country will go soccer nuts. Then we will all wish we had not allowed their players in the premiership ;-)
    Signature
    CONTENT WRITER. Reliable, UK-Based, 6 Years Experience - ANY NICHE
    Click Here For Writing Samples & Online Ordering
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1732734].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Sevenhills
      Originally Posted by jazbo View Post

      Within 10 years the USA will have qualified for the knockout stages of the world cup, and suddenly their whole country will go soccer nuts. Then we will all wish we had not allowed their players in the premiership ;-)
      If that would mean we would get some hot cheerleaders on the pitch it would be a good thing! Last time I saw cheerleaders at a game was Glasgow Rangers against some Romanian team and I can tell you.. Thats the only thing about the game I ( want to ) remember.

      Friedel is American, isn't he? Pretty darn good goalkeeper by the way
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1732842].message }}
  • {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1734707].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author zip
    That has been really confusing, because when I go to a site with English language I am used to football meaning american football, and soccer meaning european. But when I visited a British site recently they split it into american football and football.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1736848].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author DSG
      I may have a unique perspective. I think they are equally rough and tough in their own way, after all, hurt is hurt and pain is pain, no matter the sport.
      I have played all three sports in question, The Real Football, Rugby and Tackle Football (American Football) and none of 'em are wussy, pussy or sissy sports.

      I grew up playing Football and Rugby in England. I can't remember how many times i got kicked in the groin (or had the ball hit me there) or on the shins or knee, or had the metal studs (yeah I'm that old) of an opposing player scrape across the inside of my thigh. But that is probably because I was knocked out on a clash of heads going up for a header and sent to hospital with a concussion during one game.
      In one school PE game here in the States I was tackled hard and my teeth went through my bottom lip when my face plowed into the goalkeepers knee. I still have the scar and the raised bump on my lip

      I played Scrum Half ( that's a position in Rugby) at Forest Lodge Senior School and besides the occasional face scraping by the studs (cleats, for my Yank friends) the tackles can and do hurt and players do suffer concussions. I was fortunate I was never seriously hurt when I played.

      OK here is my disclaimer...I have never played Tackle Football with pads on, didn't play for my High School team or in any organized league.
      However I've played in many an after school, on weekends and traditional holiday non-pad games, and we did not hold back on the tackling.
      I remember a Thanksgiving day game played with some Semi-Pro team members that had me going to hospital the next day. I was running towards the receiver full bore to knock him out of bounds when he caught the ball, a step late, he turned fast, hitting me in the chest with his elbow. Everyone on the field heard the loud crack and commented it was a hard hitting game, you can imagine the expletives. Anyway it turned out that i had busted the cartilage that holds my sternum together, that took years to heal.

      Oh yeah..I loved playing smear the queer and I loved playing caught British Bulldog and king of the mountain.
      They each have their thrills and spills, they each test your strength and will, they all are fun to play.

      PS. Go Foxes..Go Tigers...Go three Lions
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1738511].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jamie Drew
    Scots invented football. As with many other things that are great.

    Anyway I think everyone is missing the point, sport is not about who or what is more "manly", if that was the case then UFC or other MMA would be the regarded as the best.

    Brits call it football because it's a ball that you kick, I'm not sure why on earth US call their version football though.

    Anyway football/soccer is a highly skilled sport it's not just kicking a ball and 22 men chasing after it as I've heard many accuse it of being. There is far more mental side to the game that only people who love the game and live the game can understand. Also the atmosphere's in football/soccer stadiums (especially in the UK) are far better than anything I've seen from any other sport.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3407617].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author :Elective-
      Originally Posted by JamieD87 View Post

      Brits call it football because it's a ball that you kick, I'm not sure why on earth US call their version football though.
      Cause they could not come up with a better name for the s***tty game they play, and just ripped the name off the world's most beautiful game?

      P.S. don't be racist towards me. I'm Chinese, but I love everything the UK has to offer.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3415519].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Kurt
    Dave Duerson, a former NFL player just killed himself. He donated his brain to be studied for injuries.

    The brains of 14 other NFL players have been studied and 13 out of those 14 brains had severe damage cause by repeated trauma, so I'm tired of the name calling. It's BS.

    Some people are saying the recent brain studies of American football players is the beginning of the end for our football.

    BTW, the reason rugby players aren't making millions in our NFL is because they are TOO SLOW. Not only do American football players have to be tough, they have to be FAST.

    I think rugby fans need to take a look a Ndamukong Suh. 6'4". 310 lbs. Benches almost 500 lbs and runs about a 4.8 40 yard dash.

    This is when Suh was still an amateur:

    Signature
    Discover the fastest and easiest ways to create your own valuable products.
    Tons of FREE Public Domain content you can use to make your own content, PLR, digital and POD products.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3407745].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ConsumerBoard
    some people call it football, some soccer.. who give a damn?? as long as we understand each other.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3408468].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Martin2010
    Although i love football i think it's turned into a creche. All these overpaid softies crying at getting beat and falling over all over the bloody place.

    Totally agree that Soccer doesn't sound right and never will in my eyes Football all the way.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3409959].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author fokerss
    FNL is USA word now
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3410374].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Martin2010
    I prefer Soccer LOL
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3410390].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jasdon
    American 'football' - a game where most of the play, the ball is in someone's hand.

    Football (as in the game recognised as such by the other 5,700,000,000 of the worlds population) - a game where the feet are used 99% of the time.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3410489].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author :Elective-
    I'm Singaporean, but am a huge EPL fan.

    and seriously, use another name. Whoever would watch the "football" played in USA, when it isn't even played using feet!

    And "Soccer" is still the most welcomed and most popular game in the world, and 'GOAL!!!!!!" could be understood in 65 million languages.

    try beat that?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3415505].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author TheGrooby
    The Aliens from sector 217.223 A in the Brigantareer Galaxy invented football...

    All these replies from people claiming to know that Soccer was invented in THEIR country is retarded. Who cares? And who cares about the name of the sport. Football, soccer, or whatever.

    The point being missed here is that it's all a matter of opinion and preference. Just because YOU don't like something doesn't make it a ****ty sport.

    I enjoy watching football and American football. I don't like rugby but I'm not calling it complete ****.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3416158].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      Way to make friends there.

      I suggest you read some Dale Carnegie when you get a chance.

      Sheesh.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3416438].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author usaxman
        Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

        Way to make friends there.

        I suggest you read some Dale Carnegie when you get a chance.

        Sheesh.
        Good idea
        I love foot:confused:ball
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3416521].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author cjenks222
        hehe
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3429408].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MusclecarJ
    how do you compare rugby to football. Yes the rugby guys are tough..but if it had such wide spread appeal wouldnt they have major television deals and their players making tens of millions of dollars. I played soccer as a kid the difference in kicking a soccer ball around a field and breaking down the intricacies of a zone blitz from a 3-4 deffensive front isnt even in the same ball park. Guys with out an understanding of american football it is tough to argue that it is just big guys running into each other.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3416702].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author jasdon
      Originally Posted by MusclecarJ View Post

      how do you compare rugby to football. Yes the rugby guys are tough..but if it had such wide spread appeal wouldnt they have major television deals and their players making tens of millions of dollars. I played soccer as a kid the difference in kicking a soccer ball around a field and breaking down the intricacies of a zone blitz from a 3-4 deffensive front isnt even in the same ball park. Guys with out an understanding of american football it is tough to argue that it is just big guys running into each other.
      The reason some AF players earn those kinds of figures, is because of the TV deals which dictate you the viewer be brainwashed with 'retail opportunities' every few minutes.

      And what's with all these 'plays' in wussball? Stop-start-stop-start...proper football is known as 'the beautiful game' for a reason. It's a game, not an equation.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3421990].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
        It is absolutely impossible for me to take any of this thread seriously, but
        Kurt makes some great arguments (as he usually does).

        Personally, I don't give a rat's behind what anybody calls anything because
        most terms for most things make no sense anyway.

        Why are they called apartments when they're together?

        We drive on the parkway and park in the driveway??? WTF is up with that?

        Jumbo shrimp? Are you f*****g for real?

        Golf...what kind of name is that for a game where you hit a little white ball
        with a stick and walk 3,500 freaking yards during the course of a day?

        In fact, I think you should watch this video...


        Yeah...lotta stupid names for sh*t in this world.

        I mean rugby??? Do they play the f*****g sport on a rug?

        So what's the fuss all about?
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3422116].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author jasdon
          Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

          It is absolutely impossible for me to take any of this thread seriously, but
          Kurt makes some great arguments (as he usually does).

          Personally, I don't give a rat's behind what anybody calls anything because
          most terms for most things make no sense anyway.

          Why are they called apartments when they're together?
          Apartments is largly an Amercian name, we call 'em 'flats'.

          Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

          We drive on the parkway and park in the driveway??? WTF is up with that?
          We call them roads, or motorways.

          Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

          Jumbo shrimp? Are you f*****g for real?
          Shrimp for us are tiny 'shrimps' - the big ones we call 'prawns'.

          Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

          Golf...what kind of name is that for a game where you hit a little white ball
          with a stick and walk 3,500 freaking yards during the course of a day?

          In fact, I think you should watch this video...

          YouTube - Robin Willims - Golf (full version)

          Yeah...lotta stupid names for sh*t in this world.

          I mean rugby??? Do they play the f*****g sport on a rug?

          So what's the fuss all about?
          Not on a rug - the game was first played at Rugby School.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3422298].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
            Originally Posted by jasdon View Post

            Apartments is largly an Amercian name, we call 'em 'flats'.



            We call them roads, or motorways.



            Shrimp for us are tiny 'shrimps' - the big ones we call 'prawns'.



            Not on a rug - the game was first played at Rugby School.

            Okay, so obviously the humor in my post was totally lost on you.

            Suggestion...try to find a copy of Monty Phython's anything and watch
            it.

            That might help.
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3422339].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author jasdon
              Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

              Okay, so obviously the humor in my post was totally lost on you.

              Suggestion...try to find a copy of Monty Phython's anything and watch
              it.

              That might help.
              No it wasn't wasted Steve, I guess the intended irony in my reply didn't come through. If you see at the bottom of my earlier post, anything I've written in this thread should be taken light heartedly.

              And I've got just about everything Python ever did - never been beaten!
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3422622].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Kurt
    I've played intramural rugby (couple of games). I've played organized football (with pads). I've played backyard football without pads.

    But, I would NEVER, ever bull ride, although my brother has. Now they are starting to wear helmets for protection. I guess this makes them "sissies" too?

    Forget rugby and football, here's a REAL man's sport...Let me know if you're ever in the States and want to "cowboy up"...





    Chips, fries, crisps...the potato may originate in the Americas, but it's our language you're using so we can designate what's what!
    PS...The english language was created by a GERMANIC tribe called the Jutes. Ooops.
    Signature
    Discover the fastest and easiest ways to create your own valuable products.
    Tons of FREE Public Domain content you can use to make your own content, PLR, digital and POD products.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3422256].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author jasdon
      Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

      I've played intramural rugby (couple of games). I've played organized football (with pads). I've played backyard football without pads.

      But, I would NEVER, ever bull ride, although my brother has. Now they are starting to wear helmets for protection. I guess this makes them "sissies" too?

      Forget rugby and football, here's a REAL man's sport...Let me know if you're ever in the States and want to "cowboy up"...

      YouTube - Top Wrecks of 2010






      PS...The english language was created by a GERMANIC tribe called the Jutes. Ooops.
      "Cowboy up...?" I've never even watched Brokeback Mountain.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3422307].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Sleaklight
    JOHANNESBURG - No matter how much the United States continues to emerge as a competitive World Cup nation, there is little doubt that the international perception of American soccer will always be doused with suspicion.

    Why? Because Americans don't even call the sport by its proper name, of course. They don't call it "football." They call it "soccer."
    In the USA, football is that game that dominates winter Sundays and features Lycra, helmets and men so large they should come with their own zip code.

    Elsewhere, football is football. The round-ball sport, the beautiful game, with its biggest prize to be handed out here on July 11.
    Soccer? Pah, a silly American term created by a nation that has its own national obsession.

    No country has been snootier toward the USA's use of the term "soccer" than England. Before the Group C opener between the two sides in Rustenburg, the Sun newspaper even ran a spoof front page urging Fabio Capello's side to win the "soccerball world series."
    But let's take a halftime break here.

    Coupled with their team's humiliating exit from the World Cup it might be another rude awakening to the Brits that soccer isn't an American term, it is actually an English one. And it isn't some modern fad that shows disrespect to the world's most popular sport, it dates back to the earliest days of the game's professional history.

    Indeed, until the last few decades, even Englishmen would routinely refer to their favorite pastime as soccer, just as often as they would say football.

    Clive Toye, an Englishman who moved to the U.S. and became known as the father of modern American soccer, bringing Brazilian legend Pele to play for the New York Cosmos, takes up the story.

    "Soccer is a synonym for football," said Toye, who helped launch the North American Soccer League in the late 1960s. "And it has been used as such for more years than I can count. When I was a kid in England and grabbed a ball to go out and play I would just as easily have said: 'Let's have a game of soccer' as I would use the word 'football' instead. And I didn't start it."

    To trace the origin of "soccer" we must go all the way back to 1863, and a meeting of gentlemen at a London pub, who congregated with the purpose of standardizing the rules of "football," which was in its infant years as an organized sport but was growing rapidly in popularity.
    Those assembled became the founding members of the Football Association (which still oversees the game in England to this day). And they decided to call their code Association Football, to differentiate it from Rugby Football.

    A quirk of British culture is the permanent need to familiarize names by shortening them. "My friend Brian Johnston was Johnners," said Toye. "They took the third, fourth and fifth letters of Association and called it SOCcer. So there you are."

    So forget that English condescension and carry on calling it soccer, safe in the knowledge that you're more in tune with the roots of the sport than those mocking Brits.

    Therefore, soccer is a British thing.

    Soccer Not Football! - Theme Parks - Theme Park Review , News, Videos, Pictures - Nolimits Coaster Downloads
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3429454].message }}

Trending Topics