Odd that someone should cite American football as a manly sport. That must encompass a definition of manliness that does not include much intelligence, American football being a game where they have to stop play every few seconds so the coaches can tell the players what to do next. That's always bugged me about American football. I think it would be a much more interesting game if the players went out on the field and played the whole quarter without communication with the sidelines, the same guys playing offense and defense. That would require some real athletic versatility, and some brains as well.
Think about real football on the professional level. 90 minutes of play. 3 substitutions. That means all but 3 players play the full 90 minutes. I don't think most American football players would last the first half.
Ice hockey and real football actually have a lot in common, both being fluid games that emphasize creativity and spontaneity. I've played both at a fairly serious level; I still play football, and I'd still play hockey as well, but for a serious lack of ice in these parts. I actually found real football to be more physically bruising. Ice hockey looks like it hurts more, but it really doesn't - you have a lot more protective equipment, and ice doesn't hurt nearly as much when you fall on it. Some of the worst athletic batterings I've ever had were on football fields, especially late in the season, when it rains, the field gets all chewed up, and it freezes overnight. Try taking a good hard slide on that wearing no protective gear but a pair of shinguards. |
