Ross Tucker: Spread the word to World Cup and beyond: American Football is better

[Deberg_1990]

heh, gotta love the arrogance of American sports writers.....




http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/stor...cup-comparison





Can't someone please think about the children?

That's been the overriding thought going through my head while watching some of the World Cup soccer action the last couple weeks .

When people talk about the NFL growing the game overseas, it is mainly a financial argument. The NFL's going to max out its popularity in the United States at some point, maybe soon. The biggest new area for potential revenue growth is internationally and that is the primary reason the NFL keeps putting more games in London.

I wholeheartedly buy this argument and have said for years that if you look at the NFL as a business, with a long enough time horizon in mind it absolutely makes sense to continue to grow the game abroad. But there's another argument in addition to the financial one: the kids.

There are hundreds of millions of kids all around the globe who love and adore soccer and believe it to be the greatest game in the world. That's a shame and something the NFL should strive to help rectify.

I'm not going to bash soccer. Not even a little bit. I played both fall and spring soccer from age 6 until I was 12 (and my mom let me play football), and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a great sport, especially for youth.

Plus, this World Cup has been the most entertaining in recent memory in terms of scoring and comebacks, and the television ratings have reflected that. I personally find the pure passion of the fans to be the most compelling aspect of the sport, although some of the subtle touches that you see in seemingly every contest border on brilliance as well.

But it's not football. Or should I say, "American" football.

I know a lot of guys like me who played both soccer and football at different points of their life. I don't think any of them would tell you that they liked playing soccer more. I can think of one or two. Maybe.

It seems like every kid plays soccer these days. It's been that way for over 30 years in some places of the country, including where I grew up. Yet most of those kids have become adults and prefer to watch football over soccer.

Is it in large part a cultural thing with those adults? You know, "everybody is talking about it so I want to be able to be a part of the conversation?” Probably, but there are plenty of opportunities to watch soccer on television now, whether it is MLS or the Premier League, and still most of those soccer-playing adults choose to watch football. That's because it's better.

Given the growth of football overseas—the NFL has already sold out three games in London this season—it feels like it is finally really catching on.

Is it a tough game to understand if you don't know the rules? Are there significant financial and cultural barriers to the game growing in certain places? Would it take decades for some of these other countries to actually start having teams and playing the game, if ever?

Yes, yes, and yes but that doesn't mean the NFL shouldn't try. There are entire generations of international fans who think soccer is the best sport out there. Think about that.

We need to keep growing the NFL overseas. These same soccer fans need to be exposed to the hard-hitting action that only the NFL can provide. If not for the money, then do it for the children.

I know I'd personally be very upset if I was 35 and didn't know anything about the greatest game ever created.

The kids are still young. There's still time.

Am I saying all this a little tongue in cheek? Of course, but you get my point.

Soccer is good. Football is better.

We need the NFL to help spread the word.

If not for me, then do it for the kids.

[memyselfI]

Originally Posted by Pablo

Of course American football is more appealing and 'better' to most of the folks on this board, myself included.

Doesn't mean you can't appreciate soccer for being a very engaging and fun sport. Most who say differently probably haven't watched any of this World Cup. It's been a good time.

What is funny about this is if you check Twitter feeds and see how many AMERICAN football players are tweeting and posting pics in gear. Andrew Luck IS IN BRAZIL.

[memyselfI]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

The Hunts have owned how many soccer teams..?

No surprise from here. My friend Ron Newman and his good friend Lamar Hunt were vital in growing the game in this country. I was mostly making the point that there again is American football supporting soccer. So far tweets have come from the 49ers, the Panthers. Now the Chiefs.

[MahiMike]

Growing football overseas is analogous to our military invading every continent. Neither are we'll received. Nor good ideas.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

you sounds like a soccer snob

'don't like soccer, it must be a problem with you'

stop trying to shove soccer down everyone's throat and you won't get attacked

Most football fans don't get 2 shits about soccer, leave us alone and you will get ignored for the most part.

More and more do. Once my sons began playing it competitively, I became a fan. I still hate the diving, but the sport is fun.