We said earlier in the week – American Football is the bomb, and *whispers* some might even say it’s better than rugby.
And as we also said, it’s coming to Dublin this September.
If you weren’t yet convinced, here are 13 reasons why you need to get into the cultural phenomenon.
1. Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane love it
Upon qualification for EURO 2016, the Republic of Ireland management team rewarded themselves with a lads’ trip to California to watch Superbowl 50. COYBIG!!
2. Rivalries
Cowboys/Redskins, Baltimore/Pittsburgh, Seattle/San Francisco to name a few. These rivalries get intense, especially if pitted against each other in the latter stages of the NFL season.
3. Defense
In association football, the attackers are generally worshipped. American Football however, places a lot more emphasis on defence. And nothing gets the blood flowing like witnessing a crunching defensive tackle.
4. Parity
American Football is one of the hardest sports to gamble on. Nothing is ever as it seems. The last team to retain the Superbowl were New England Patriots in 2004 and 2005.
5. The Quarterback
Often the most popular player among fans, the quarterback gets most of the glory but a lot of the criticism. Brady, Manning, Roethlisberger. Some of the sport’s most famous stars play this position.
6. The Ads
Some of the most anticipated parts of the Superbowl are the ads in between play. Celebrity cameos are in abundance and with typically over 100 million television viewers tuning in, they are a marketer’s dream. They’re often pretty funny too.
7. Athleticism
Strength, speed, agility, physical toughness. These guys have got the whole package.
8. The chess-like tactics
Chess is known as THE game of strategy and American Football is the closest we come to it in human form. The ultimate thinking sport, coaches need to outthink their opposite number in every single play.
9. College Football
Just as popular as the pro game, college ball attracts massive crowds and local pride is at stake. Think schools rugby times a million.
10. FOMO
It won’t be long until the Superbowl rolls around again and EVERYONE will be talking about it so you might as well get into it now.
11. This ‘Any Given Sunday’ speech
One of the greatest motivational monologues of all time delivered by Mr. Al Pacino. ‘WE CLAW WITH OUR FINGERNAILS FOR THAT INCH!”
12. Or this lesser known one
If you’ve never seen this video and think you’ve achieved everything you can in life you are very much mistaken. Who are you? A champion. That’s right.
13. The time Difference
Across the pond, American Football is very much an afternoon sport. In Ireland, it’s the perfect way to spend a Sunday night. Grab some friends, beers and Doritos and kick back with some ‘futuristic rugby’.
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