This subject always ends uo back here any way.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/01/26...ins/index.html
Ok you Europeans whaddya got?
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This subject always ends uo back here any way.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/01/26...ins/index.html
Ok you Europeans whaddya got?
Wait, so, American Football is the manliest sport because more people get concussions?
Clearly you have not experienced the great art of the Caber Toss. How can you possibly beat drunken men in skirts throwing telephone polls?
Manly ? pah! more like oversized gorillas in body armour throwing themselves around like fools!
Man is defined by his skill... his art... and what can be more skillful or artistic than watching zidane dribbling past a few players or ronaldhino doing all kinds of tricks and skills or ronaldo speeding down the wing past several players and smashing the ball into the top corner... now that is true manliness!
But the men who play soccer are on the whole wimpy and skimpy in size. Soccer players are prima-donas who don't know the meaning of teamwork or group effort. Any schmuck can play soccer, it takes true skill and ability to play rugby. Rugby union is a man's sport.Quote:
Man is defined by his skill... his art
Exhibit A:
Sebastian Chabal
https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/...141/CHABAL.jpg
Exhibit B:
Victor Matfield
https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/...1/Matfield.jpg
Exhibit C:
Relative Impact of Rugby Tackles
Exhibit D:
Soccer vs. Rugby
Exhibit E:
Rugby hits
Exhibit Haka:
Haka
Rugby's impressive, but American Football has bigger guys hitting with more mass.
I mean, read what SFTS posted. That's scary, man.
Plus, due to the nature of the game you can have a wide receiver running across the field to catch the ball, unable to see the opposing player running head on towards him.
Make no mistake, football players hit very hard.
CR
They should make football an olympic sport.
Marshall, several American college football teams do the Haka.
Rugby is a nice stepping stone to football. Its nice an choreographed so the European "men" can little how to "hit"
Besides. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7tG...eature=related
Rugby: 1496 lbs Football: 4806
Read and weap Sweethearts 3 times as much force
But the men who play soccer are on the whole wimpy and skimpy in size.
If size is the only importance just watch some grizzly bears run into each other. It is the technical skill that is important, the ability to read the game, to pick out that 40 yard pass, do pull off that exqusite back heel that opens up a defence, no battering your way through like some wrecking ball, but skill and intelligence are required. If you are saying most manliest = brute force i would have to disagree.... sure if were discussing most gorilla like american football wins hands down, but in a discussion of manliest football is the winner every time
Soccer players are prima-donas who don't know the meaning of teamwork or group effort.
Tell that to trinadad and tobago from the last world cup, a side which consisted of only 1 or 2 players who play at the top level and not one player who could be called a superstar, a team which had one of the oldest average (or the oldest) age in the competition, and they put in the performances of thier lives, outskilled by far by every team they faced but they made it up in teamwork and sheer determination!
Dwight Yorke who used to be a striker was employed as a defensive midfielder and i don't think i have ever seen such a good performance in that position, he was mid 30's at this point but everywhere the ball was he was, he put in the performance of a lifetime he was a honour to T&T that day, that my friend is the essence of manliness!
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy American football alright, but really? Is it the manliest game?
They would, if it were more popular. American Football is only popular really in America, Australia, and Europe. However, the leagues in Europe and Australia aren't very competitive with American Football leagues. Rugby, on the other hand, has widespread following. The Rugby World Cup is the 3rd most watched sporting event in the World. Rugby even used to be in the Olympics, and they're working hard to get it back in. Granted, it is 7-man rugby, but it gives an opportunity for other countries to win at least a medal or two (Fiji, Tonga, Kenya, etc.)Quote:
They should make football an Olympic sport
Rugby is Reaching Out
I know Hawaii does the Ha'a, a variation on the Haka. However, they were penalized for "Unsportsmanlike ConductQuote:
Marshal, several American college football teams do the Haka.
because the other teams view the war chant as threatening. Other schools perform the Haka, I understand. However, coming from the Maori's, it's a full on challenge to any team that they go against. The other teams, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Australia, they accept it and play on. No fuss, no unsportsmanlike conduct or complaints. They're man enough to take the challenge and play a good game.
Blindside hit in rugbyQuote:
Plus, due to the nature of the game you can have a wide receiver running across the field to catch the ball, unable to see the opposing player running head on towards him.
The test was pretty ridiculous, to say the least. The 2nd test was on a dummy, not on a real person. That aside, the football player throws his entire weight against the dummy, regardless of his own body. Now, it's perfectly acceptable for him to do that, because he can be replaced, substituted, and he can break as many bones as he wants. He gets a big hit, no doubt about that. However, the force that the football player exerts is dispersed and as the "study" pointed out, his total hitting power is almost like that of a rugby player.Quote:
Rugby: 1496 lbs Football: 4806
Read and weap Sweethearts 3 times as much force
Understandable, and that's why rugby is better than American Football. American football is about running plays by the book, leaving occasional room for change or maneuvers to impact the game. In soccer and rugby, as you so elegantly pointed out, requires skill and intelligence to pick the holes, play the gaps, ruck, scrum, kick, and play the game. You don't have a cookie-cut plan to take out, you have to play and play, constantly adjusting to the situation at hand. Rugby does have it's grizzly bear encounters, to be sure, but there's just as much of speed skill and play.Quote:
If size is the only importance just watch some grizzly bears run into each other. It is the technical skill that is important, the ability to read the game, to pick out that 40 yard pass, do pull off that exqusite back heel that opens up a defence, no battering your way through like some wrecking ball, but skill and intelligence are required.
Now, while we have focused on making "big tackles" and "skill and art", you see a combination of both in rugby.
1. In rugby, it's at most 22 possible players that rotate on the field. Most players are out there for the full match, start to finish (McCaw, Carter, Giteau, Mortlock, Matfield, Habana, etc.) In American football, you have an "offense", a "defense", a "special teams". The offense plays for at most for 25 minutes of a full game. The defense plays for another 25, and the special teams 10 minutes. Rugby isn't a start-stop-start game. You have players on the field, like I said, for the full 80 minutes. You have football players getting 30+ second breaks between a 10 second plays. Rugby players have both high-intensity work and low-intensity work in a game, and have to be able to stand that much exertion. American Football is high-intensity work for a couple minutes (8 minute drives) then they can sit down, catch some Gatorade, and watch the game.
2. American football has bigger hits, because the players can throw themselves around the field. They can be replaced in a snap. You get big hits to get other "key" players out of the game, and that's why pads were given out. People were getting killed by others in the games. Now, while it may be more romantic to "lay your life out for the game", it's also pretty stupid to die because some numb-skull gorilla was able to hit you with his entire (steroid-infused?) body. In rugby, you have to hit, run, and ruck effectively, so you don't have a massive dude throwing himself around because that's dangerous and if he gets hurt, he'll have to sub out. Even if he doesn't get hurt, he has to continue a game that involves constant physical activity (rucking, tackling, mauling, even scrummaging).
3. As I pointed out previously, rugby players need "skill and art" to accomplish line-breaks, play advantages, line-outs, and to play the game in general. Soccer also involves using your head, making intelligent decisions, and acting swiftly. While that's true in football, it's usually only the quarter-back who has to make such decisions. Everyone else has a job they do, which rarely varies. In rugby, you have a constantly shifting situation tactically and strategically which calls for smart decision making. These decisions need to be made quickly, and communicated clearly to the rest of the team. American football has strategy and tactics, to be sure. However, when it comes down to it, the game is slow paced and pedantic, players given only a marginal amount of lee-way in decision making on the field. That's why you have coaches, to tell you what to do. In rugby, you're entirely responsible for all tactical/strategical decisions.
Rugby requires skill and art, stamina, speed, strength, and talent. You need to be a complete package to be an effective rugby player. In soccer, you need speed and skill, but in terms of strength you don't need as much in your upper body. Besides, soccer players always fake injuries to get cards from refs.
In American football, you need only certain talents for certain positions. Linemen need only be big and strong. Wide-receivers need speed and intelligence, but rarely do you find one that's also strong enough to shrug off a defender. Besides, they only need follow a pre-arranged plan that the quarterback uses to make his decision. So while more "strength" may be needed for American football, you don't need the same amount of stamina to remain in the game.
Overall, rugby combines all the necessary skills to be a man and you need to be very manly to play rugby. Therefore, rugby is the manliest sport out there.
I can garuntee you the 6'7 350 lb lineman who play on sundays are faster than everyone who has posted in this thread and the 5'11 180 lb cornerbacks are stronger.
American football is an utter war. From the time we are 11 we are tuaght to be utterly fearless. There is no room for timidness. If you have ever played competitive football you know what I'm talking about. There is so much to remember the entire team has to do its job. Its the only sport in the world like that. You may be Barry Sanders but if your line doesn't block you aint going know where.
Rugby players look like soccer players who did a couple of curls, football players look like giants. Football may be played in the fall but anyone who has played will tell you that offseason is worse. Powerlifting, tire flips, wind sprints, it sucks but I'll tell you what. I went from a pudgy 189 at 14 to a rock hard solid 244 going into my senior season. I was also in the best cardiovascular shape. I got two weeks off for four years and this is just high school. A guy in my history class plays for the school and it is utter hell what they go through.
Not to mention the culture of football. You want to bleed for your teammates. There is utter hate between schools. People name children after the game.
Unless you have done it, you can't understand it.
Marshal Murat makes a persuasive case for rugby.
I point out that the best u.s. football moments, whether to watch or play in, are when the prescribed "play" has failed, and the players have to wing it on their own - as in rugby.
A precisely-executed game plan is a thing of wonder to watch; but I admit, it becomes a deployment of logistics. It's when logisitcs and plans have failed, but players nevertheless stretch into finding a way to advance the ball, score a goal, that the game soars into the best part of human sports competition.
Brett Favre (or whoever) scrambling in the backfield, evading tackles and desperately seeking someone to pass to, after "Right-Blue-Twenty-Two!" failed, spotting a receiver 60 yards away, in the snow, who has shaken off his blocker, firing that pigskin side-arm, gunslinger-style - and connecting, is why we like the game, and put up with the lawyer-ref's on the field, and the inane commentary, and the tedious time-outs, and, and, and....
I can garuntee you the 6'7 350 lb lineman who play on sundays are faster than everyone who has posted in this thread
I would take you up on that challenge!
Although i don't doubt there is probably some really huge guy who can run faster than me i would out pace the vast majority of people who weigh 350lbs, thats just too big to be seriously fast...
American football is an utter war.
If american football is war then real football is outright armageddon, from rivalries like Madrid vs Barcelona which is mixed in with politics and actual wars over the years, to local rivalries like cardiff vs swansea where the opposition fans are more hated than even the english!
From the time we are 11 we are tuaght to be utterly fearless. There is no room for timidness. If you have ever played competitive football you know what I'm talking about.
As a football player you are expected to put body and soul on the line!
Peter Cech a goalkeeper had his skull cracked when a boot was put into his head as he bravely dived at the ball, but once he was healed he was back in action brave as ever diving infront of studs, knees and whatever else came in his way, that cracked skull if bumped badly enough could kill him (i think?) but he is there life on the line, no consideration bar winning the game!
There is so much to remember the entire team has to do its job. Its the only sport in the world like that. You may be Barry Sanders but if your line doesn't block you aint going know where.
A (real) football team has to work together as a unit, you need your wing backs and wingers patrolling the wings together and overlapping each other to provide extra options, your midfield needs to support the attack quickly but also needs to help in defense, the defense has to push up to close the available space between themselves and thier midfield so the opposition can't take advantadge of the spaces left behind, and the strikers need to be giving the team options for attacking passes...
It is shown best by various underdog upsets that are a regular occurence in football, the team that works togther and works hard can overcome the more technically advanced team that doesn't function together or work as hard...
Rugby players look like soccer players who did a couple of curls, football players look like giants.
American footballers are like elephants... sure they're big and scary but outside of that fairly useless...
Whereas footballers are like horses, elegant beatiful fast and strong, not as big as those ugly useless elephants but a hell of alot more useful!
Not to mention the culture of football. You want to bleed for your teammates.
Before the days of no blood allowed on the football pitch you would regularly see players like Tony Adams and Gary McAllister with thier heads covered in bandages blood dripping down thier faces but still giving 110% still willing to smash thier head into the ball, i now from personal experience even just from a kick around, once the game is on nothing else matters, that stitch can wait until after the game the sweat pouring down my face not even noticed, i will sprint back and fore no matter what my physical condition...
As someone famous once said... 'Football isn't a matter of life and death... it is far more important than that'
The starters on NFL teams are not normal people. They are freakish athletes.
No, I'm sorry, but in war, or even a friendly boxing match you do not see grown men falling like sissies when they brush another player, than holding their leg in pain for five minutes. I've seen too much diving in soccer to consider it a contact sport.Quote:
American football is an utter war.
If american football is war then real football is outright armageddon, from rivalries like Madrid vs Barcelona which is mixed in with politics and actual wars over the years, to local rivalries like cardiff vs swansea where the opposition fans are more hated than even the english!
etc.
etc.
They are extremely good at playing their sport.Quote:
Rugby players look like soccer players who did a couple of curls, football players look like giants.
American footballers are like elephants... sure they're big and scary but outside of that fairly useless...
Whereas footballers are like horses, elegant beatiful fast and strong, not as big as those ugly useless elephants but a hell of alot more useful!
And now you see relentless diving.Quote:
Not to mention the culture of football. You want to bleed for your teammates.
Before the days of no blood allowed on the football pitch you would regularly see players like Tony Adams and Gary McAllister with thier heads covered in bandages blood dripping down thier faces but still giving 110% still willing to smash thier head into the ball, i now from personal experience even just from a kick around, once the game is on nothing else matters, that stitch can wait until after the game the sweat pouring down my face not even noticed, i will sprint back and fore no matter what my physical condition...
As someone famous once said... 'Football isn't a matter of life and death... it is far more important than that'
I agree that Murat makes a good case for the overall sport of rugby. But we're talking only of the manliest sport here, and I think he overstates the case for Rugby player's 'advantage' in skill, speed, and tactics as well.
CR
I'm sorry, am I missing something? Grid Iron is not popular. We follow League, Union, Football or AFL. Or basketball if we are really bored.Quote:
American Football is only popular really in America, Australia, and Europe.
Tough? American Football is like rugby, but with full body armour and stopping for rest every 15 seconds.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Herald Sun
He played that game, I watched him. Played well too.Quote:
Originally Posted by BBC Sport
It's certainly a contender for "silliest game on earth"... Manliest? With all that protection? Ridiculous.
Bah. Barbarians.
As someone rised the stakes to the manliest game on earth (instead of the usual banter), then the obvious question is what is manly about chasing around a ball? :evilgrin:
It says much that Chabal wasn't much favoured by France for quite a while despite his obvious talents. He can run fast, and he can hit hard, but apart from that, he couldn't do much. He lacked stamina, he wasn't particularly good at reading the game, his stamina was suspect so he couldn't last the game, etc. Even if you're a physically fearsome specimen, you're still useless to the team if you can't hack it across all areas.
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=UKekpx...eature=relatedQuote:
retty stupid to die because some numb-skull gorilla was able to hit you with his entire (steroid-infused?) body.
Or is trying to hurt the others as good as you can really still a game? I thought games are some kind of recreational free time activity, in every case giving people millions to play and brainwashing them into thinking it's the only thing that matters kind of destroys the game aspect don't you think? It all becomes a profession, a lifestyle and a penis enlargement for the viewers. ~;)
And then they also start this human trafficking business that is illegal in other branches.
I'm amused. :beam:
Whilst I would look to the Rugby Union camp for many of the reasons Marshal Murat posted, even I wouldn't argue it's the manliest game.
Because I have seen Australian Rules Football.
Look it up. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
The manliest game
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=jxlXc3...eature=related
:laugh4:
Rugby = gay men hugging each other.
Same goes for American 'Football', plus the game is more stop-start just to make it extra boring.
:clown:
What's up with all that protective gear in american football?
Scared of breaking something? ~;)
Rugby on the other hand doesn't need that sort of protection because their players are hard as nails.
Although to be honest I've watched American football and actually found it entertaining and worth watching. Baseball on the other hand, well what can I say. I actually had the displeasure of watching a game first hand whilst I was in America and it was the most boring thing I have ever seen. I left before the end. How that can be a nations favourite national past time is beyond me.
had it not been for the good atmosphere and the crowd getting into the game I would of put it up their with cricket as the most boring sport ever.
Well if you are going to go for boxing then it has to be the king of the tinkers fights , because if like Francis Barrett you are not "manly" enough to take part then they attack your whole family , so you are forced to leave the country and then come after you in your new home .Quote:
I would pick boxing as the manliest
Now thats a serious "sport" :idea2:
Of course they're scared of breaking something -- and one of the MOST important handicapping components is the injury status of every player. Injuries are hugely common DESPITE the gear.
Rugby and ARF are both a bit of fun to watch, so no problems there.
Unlike you, I simply adore baseball....but then again I did grow up with it. Though it is my favorite, regrettably baseball is almost certainly the #2 professional sport in the USA behind NFL football these days. Haven't managed to see an entire game of cricket for comparison.
From what I have seen on TV, I'd also suggest that hurling should be on the considerations list -- that game features a LOT of micks running around with clubs....'nough said.
I dont see the point of any of these sports (rugby,american football)
Basically a chance for men to get their face really close to another man's behind...
...it is indeed a sport for men who are into other men (that is what 'manly' means isnt it?) :elephant::whip:
Hockey > Football.
Bigger men, more armor, faster speeds, more fighting.
Meh I grew up in New Zealand.
Played Rugby Union, League, (Soccer) Football, American Football, (Field) Hockey and Aussie Rules.
Also Volleyball, Baseball and Cricket.
Aussie Rules needs the most stamina and it can be absolutely brutal with the shoulder charges. It is the game I liked least to play (possibly because it was when I was 15 and just moved to Aus when I played it so chip on shoulder)... but as a spectator sport it is very impressive. Oldest codified football btw and one of, if not the largest by capita stadium size for the finals.
Loved playing Union, the flow can be amazing with that game. Must be versatile and well versed across a series of skills. As a wing one has to be acquainted with all sorts of scenarios and essentially you are the American Football equivalent of both a corner back and a receiver. Started playing like most Kiwis at age 5.
Grew up playing soccer as a little one more then Rugby as it was easier to play with 4 or more kids. Played soccer on asphalt courts with tennis balls, so you can imagine what happened when someone got tripped up.
Played Rugby League during breaks at school... it can be played with less players then Union. Went from having buck teeth to ones that are nice and level with the rest of my teeth. :beam:
Cricket. Bodyline. Bouncers. Broken Ribs. Collapsed hearts. Playing in Pakistan. Imagine playing baseball with a field hockey ball, and pitching the ball at the man is considered normal. Another game which I didn't enjoy so much playing as watching.
American Football. Plays like Rugby in a Volvo. Clavicle broken in two places, but I did stop the touchdown. Fun game, but irritating as heck to sit on the sideline. One of the few games that is better watched in the highlights reel then through the whole thing.
Rugby 7s. Amazing speed, power, agility. Like a 100m sprint crossed with a contact sport. Makes a very good spectator sport and smaller nations can do very well at it. One of the few games that is ruined when watched as a highlight reel.
I think for some good reasons the big Aussie sports centre around stamina based activities. Look at Ironmen, Aussie Rules Players and most of the other sports. Fitness is paramount.
The main thing is not what you do at school. It is what you do in the rest of your life. A game that hobbles you for the rest of your life is no better then taking drugs and ruining your health that way.
Plus you get incidents like this one. I was at that game and the crowd loved it.
He punches a guy, and then punches another guy who runs at him. Hilarious.
Here Strike, I got your sport!
Solo lion hunting
It is not easy to hunt a lion alone. However, a majority of Maasai warriors have done it. Solo lion hunting requires confidence and advance hunting skills. A warrior must be passionate about the game.
Yea! A pointy stick and a leather shield vs. 500 lbs. of mean, bad Cat!
Try that for Manly! A 500 lb. Lion would make a lot of menudo though wouldn‘t it!
Ah, the AFL.Quote:
Originally Posted by BQ
That is a sport that takes endurance and strength. Too bad no other country plays it. Closest others get is gaelic football.
As for NRL, does anyone else remember that over the head try by Alfie Langer in the State of Origin a few years back. That was a mighty try.
That is an American rugby athelete. Americans suck at rugby. Get a guy from New Zeland or South Africa, and he'd hit with twice as much strength from that of an American Footy guy.
EDIT: The manliest sports, is neither Football, American Football, Rugby or Boxe. It is this
I actually quite like American Football. It's quite an entertaining game. Far, far too many breaks and messing about though. Also the presence of impact armour makes it less dangerous than rugby. There are a number of players who have played both and all say that rugby is much tougher.
Rugby Tackles
I also think Aussie Rules is tougher than both - just for the sheer numbers of fights which even the referees seem to sit back and enjoy watching.
Football (I don't use the S word) is a prima donna's game. But it is also a tougher game than many americans think.
Bad Football Tackles and Other Unsporting Behaviour
Also you may have to stand in the blazing heat for 8 hours facing 300 balls bowled at your head and balls and 90mph.
I always thought Thai Kickboxing was the manliest. In terms of dedication involved and skill + brute force; football (of any kind) has nothing on it. Im a regular kickboxer myself but would take Muay Thai if the studio wasnt so far away.
Heres a few doses of manly wupass. Id take a tackle over a knee to the face every day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7dwIt2gR8Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0-8nOzLx54
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuygrR9mi6w
Some history behind the sport. Spanning hundreds of years, again football of either kind has nothing on it.
http://www.martialartsphuket.com/new...haihistory.htm
http://www.horizonmuaythai.com/history.html
American Football is a reminder to me that this nation isn't founded on your pansy cultural museums or French art, it's founded on guys knocking heads together until someone gets seriously screwed up.
True, Swedishfish.
In other countries, we don't have the same need to prove our manhood. The only logical explanation, is of course that we're not as lacking in the "downstairs department" as you guys are.... You need to prove your manhood by beating each other up, our manhood is so evident that we can walk around like queers in museums, and still not feel insufficient as men.
Well I mean when your that much BIGGER and stronger than your friends you are bound to feel a bit out of place. As an American I thank you Europeans for kicking us out because now we have bred and become a race of superman. ~;)
Dont forget who is the most manly guy on the fourm ~;)
Americans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTVgSqDNU68 <---BEst video ever
Europeans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6gk8H0f-0k
No, but Washington Redskins tight end Chris Cooley posted a pic of his on his blog and I hear it's pretty impressive.
*slap*
But I suppose that settles the discussion then. You obviously refuse to post a pic of your little guy because it's, well.... your little guy....
I guess you should sign up for some of that yank football then. I'll be strolling around museums in the mean time :laugh4:
A "tight end" posted a pic his dong.... Oh man...
I'm sorry but that's bollox. If your bad at sport, your bad at sport. Back when I was at school we were made to play rep sport, and every Joe and his dog thought they'd just join Football since they thought it'd be an easy way to fulfil the requirement. Boy, were they wrong. Let's train, 10 km runs, then sprints, then skills, then sprints, then skills, more sprints, and a training game. Schmucks, as you so rudely put them lack the co-ordination, the vision, the raw ability to even pass a ball straight to a teammate.
I've had the pleasure and discomfort of playing quite a few sports. I played Rugby for about 5 years as a winger, very tough sport, one of the toughest. Cricket for about 12, ever got a cricket ball in the nads at 130k/h? Football for 13 years, ever played as a 17 year old in Amateur League against guys in their late 20s? You don't get the same protection from the ref, there's nothing stopping a nice slide tackle with both feet in the air, studs into your legs, or elbows to the face and ribs.
The manliest sport for me has to be AFL, Aussie Rules Footy, that or Ice Hockey.
As to American Football vs. Soccer one thing you need to remember is that soccer lasts 90 min. with a short halftime and takes about two hours start to finish. Only three substitutions can be made and no one is put back in. That is 90 min. of running full tilt even without the skill to move the ball. The clock never stops. Time for injuries and delays is added at the end of the halves.
American Football lasts 60 min. It takes up to four hours to play. You have unlimited substitutions and loads of time outs. Offensive teams and Defensive teams are switched and special teams do kickoffs and receptions. The clock stops for a multitude of reasons and shear endurance is not such a huge issue.
Still, lion hunting, particularly solo lion hunting is going to produce a lot more testosterone and pucker factor than either of those two. It isn’t about watching, its about doing.
I agree about lion hunting. Alternatively I'd put forward hippo hunting, shark hunting or tiger hunting.
All with a pointy stick and a wooden shield of course.
Since when is a bunch of not overly bright, muscular men touching and hugging each other considered manly?
Haven't you heard? The most manly things in the world all have very strong homo-erotic overtones.
Gah, hockey beats all these crappy footsoccers. Its faster game then any of these running games. The players arent exactly small, combined with the speed means the checks can be just as brutal as in American Football. Its very tactical game + there are actual fights in it also and the players also carry a stick which can be used to put pain to other players by slashing plus cross checking.:2thumbsup:
One thought.........all the Rugby and Soccer player in the NFL are punters and kickers, you know the ones that get run over more often then not.
Yeah, that and occasionally you'll actually see a kicked destroy someone. I forget where exactly but in one of the clips linked to on youtube Sepul Veda (Steelers Kicker?) destroys someone.
Oh for clarity I have no idea if he ever played soccer or rugby, that was a general kicker/punter comment.
If it's all about taking big hits, why not put the guys on galloping horses so they can throw the entire weight of the animal into the hit? Ooh, and then you could try focusing all that force at the end of a pointy stick. Of course, you'd probably need some even more impressive pads to keep the players from dying too often, but I imagine something like that'd make for a pretty manly sport . . .
:knight:
Ajax
Lion hunting, for the win.
Hunting actually becomes an exciting interesting sport when the consequences are life and death and the animal you're hunting is really able to destroy you, and your family dies of hunger if you don't win.
That's manly.
Chasing a football down the field is different from wielding a weapon on a battlefield or hunting dangerous animals without the proper equipment, and I'm a fan of American Football, too.
I put forward a sport for your consideration. It may not be the manliest, but it must be high up on the list.
Royal Shrovetide Football
This is a massive game of soccer/football (sort of) that takes place in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. It's been played since the 12th century. There are theories that suggest the ball used to be a severed head of a local criminal.
There are very few rules in existence. The main ones are:
* Committing murder or manslaughter is prohibited. Unnecessary violence is frowned upon.
* The ball may not be carried in a motorised vehicle.
* The ball may not be hidden in a bag, coat or rucksack etc.
* Cemeteries, churchyards and the town memorial gardens are strictly out of bounds.
* Playing after 10 pm is forbidden.
How many sports need to specify a rule against murder? :laugh4: Unnecesary violence is frowned upon, but not against the rules.
The goals are three miles apart, with a village in the middle. There is no limit to the size of the teams. While the game takes place shops and houses are boarded up, and you would have to be an idiot to park a car anywhere in the village.
The game is often partially played in the river, where the ball inevitably ends up.
The game is huge and can last for hours. It is an incredible sight to see.
Edit: I found a video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvkCcCXweOo
I don't know about manliest, but cricket is the most gentlemaniest, and that has to count for something. :toff:
Plus standing still while Curtly Ambrose comes steaming in from the Nursery end looking to knock your block off takes some doing.
Has anyone mentioned shinty yet? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinty Shinty sounds absolutely mad. Stand on a field in the middle of a load of mad Highlanders armed with big sticks, I do NOT think so.