7 Things You Never Knew About American Football

Tired of having to smile and nod absent-mindedly whenever the conversation turns to American Football?

Check out our handy seven-step guide to impressing your mates when the College Football bandwagon rolls into Dublin in September…

1. The huddle was created by a deaf player

As a quarterback for Gallaudet University for the deaf and hard of hearing, Paul D Hubbard came up with the idea the team huddle we all know today. The reason? He didn’t want other teams to see his hand signals.

2. The architects are a smart bunch

The NFL requires that all stadiums are built facing north/south so that the sun never interferes with play. Would come in handy for goalkeepers in soccer.

3. The TV audiences are mind-blowing

The NFL averages 290 million TV viewers each week. Or 63 times the population of Ireland. EVERY. WEEK. 

• READ: 8 Reasons Why American Football Is Quite Simply Better Than Rugby

4. Cheerleading is basically the first step towards fame and glory

Sandra Bullock, Meryl Streep and Reese Witherspoon are just some of the famous names who were American Football cheerleaders in their school days.

• READ: 13 Reasons Why You Need To Get Into American Football Right Away

5. Ronan O’Gara could have graced the NFL

The former Munster and Ireland out-half was close to joining Miami Dolphins in 2003. The Florida outfit wanted to sign him as a kicker.

O’Gara could have rivalled Fungi for most famous Irish dolphin but chose to turn down the lucrative offer, to the collective relief of rugby supporters across Ireland.

6. No boring 0-0’s

The last scoreless draw in an NFL game was in 1943 between the Detroit Lions and the New York Giants.

7. Irish people go MAD for it

The last time college football came to Dublin, it sold out in four hours.

FOUR HOURS.