Why American Football is number one in the US and an enigma for the rest of us?

I have never watched an entire American football game. The first reason is that I am from Europe. And this says everything. I did not grow watching or playing this game at all. Even though I have always been curious to understand the rules and to follow their league, I have never been patient enough to stay more than three hours in front of my television. Oh, you did not know that do you? Yes, a US Football game last in average three hours and twelve minutes. But the real action though, when the game is on is only around 11 minutes. Not much. So is American football worth watching for non-american people? Is this sport the most under-rated game by the rest of the world or just a waste of time?Let’s find out and start with a bit of history.

American football or “Gridiron Football” has a father. His name is Walter Camp. He has always been considered as the guy with who American Football was born. In fact, the game itself is nothing more than a variation of soccer and rugby. But Camp was the one who set up the rules, who shaped it to this new version, to give to American football its singularity. He notably changed the number of players from 15 (like in Rugby) to 11, proposed a rule to limit each team to three downs, or to advance the ball five yards and made the game more or less what it is today. At first, it was played by students (Camp was from Yale). Most of Universities had their own team, which helped football to grow their tradition and their fan based. But it is with the emergence of the NFL (National football league) and later the AFL (American football league) that Football really kicked off in the late 60’s. Since both federations merged and created the famous “Super Bowl”, football has been without contest the most popular sport in the US.

But why is it so popular in the US and so under-rated anywhere else? Well, I have my ideas on this, but I let’s have a closer look together.

1. First, the rules are too complicated. Damn man! They seriously tried hard to make it incomprehensible! If you really want it, and you are ready to invest some time, it feels like you can probably catch up and start following a game without getting totally lost after a few hours of practice. But for understanding the variety of the rules, the tackle, the run, the fumble, the extra point, the defense, the attack, the turnover, the “special team” and so on, you will probably need an entire life! Ok, probably not so long but the thing is that it is not “user friendly” at all! Sport is supposed to be entertaining, and most people won’t lose time on it if it is not clear and easy. Is American Football clear and easy? Fuck no!

2. Games are waaaaaaaay too long! We already rose the point in the introduction. But this is definitely an important one! The fact is that you cannot even know how long the game will last! It will be from two to more than four hours! You may need a full day to watch a game! It is mad! No but seriously, who want to stay so long in front of their television or even in a stadium for 11 ridiculous minutes of action? Well ok, millions of Americans…I feel like I am crossing a line here do I?

3. The atmosphere are greater when you go to watch Rugby or Soccer. This is an assumption, as I have never been in an American stadium. But I like the video below. It gives you an idea on how fanatic soccer fans can be, and how…how should I put this…conventional are American Football’s fan. I am sure that some American Football stadium are great. That you may feel like part of something when you hear them screaming or singing the anthem. But can it really compete with a “You will never walk alone” from Liverpool FC or a “Aux Armes” from Marseille? I don’t think so. So I guess that if American Football wants to cross the US boarder, they still have some work to do. Get crazy man! It may pay off!

4. The place is taken! Pass your way! It makes sense no? There is already so many different sports played every day, everywhere, that taking market shares from soccer, rugby, basketball or any other popular team sport seems unlikely to happen. Add to this that the kit you need to invest in is way more expensive than a simple pair of shoes, that you need to bags to carry all of it and you got a perfect recipe for failure.

5. It is American. And? What you don’t get it? A lot of people won’t get interested just because it is coming from the US. America is without contest the biggest economy in the world and the most powerful country, but certainly not the most likable. So would people in Europe or in the Middle East be happy to play a game called “US” something? Don’t think so! Add the fact that one of the most important moment of the game is the national Anthem that the whole stadium sings before kick off, and you understand why Football is so “US” and not really “rest of the world friendly”.

So what? Is American Football so bad? Is there any chance to see a major league rising from another country? I think the answers are “no” and “no” again. Even though American football is definitely something, as a non-american, you may have a look on, I am convinced that you won’t see any other league like the NFL anywhere else by tomorrow. One day maybe? No. Forget it. It won’t happen. American football is a singularity, something very much anchor in the US tradition, something you may fall in love or run away from after having watched your first game, but what really makes American Football great is its tradition. It is how important it became for any Universities to get the best team possible, for any family Sunday’s at the stadium or in front of their television, for any pop-corn or hot dog producer and re-seller. You have to understand that if you want to understand why it has become the most popular game in the US. It became more than sport. This is culture. This is in their blood. And this is maybe becasue it is so “American-exclusive” that this sport became their favorite. And unless you have lived there or you have a grand father coming from Dallas, I am afraid we won’t never be able to get into it, as much as they do.

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