we are going to settle this

[Ianofsmeg16]

Real (i.e. American) Football. Like Gawain said, it's like watching a war. Every play is an intricately planned battle. These men are huge, and powerful. As has been said, without the pads there would be regular fatalities. There are constant broken bones as it is. It is the ultimate sport, a test of sheer athleticism and teamwork. Soccer comes close--it requires a similar amount of teamwork--but it lacks the brutality of football. Rugby.. eh, Rugby is just a mess.

American Football all the way. I'm sorry you Europeans don't understand the sport--you'd quickly convert if you spent a week trying to get into it.

I'm European, and i love American Football...it rocks, do you actually play? cos i play with some friends and i play Tight End (usually defensive but can catch if i want). Its a Great sport and love to watch it...BTW when does season start?

EDIT: i do object to you saying rugby is a mess, have you actually played it? cos in a scrum you need ALOT of teamwork

[t1master]

it's all a bunch of guys in short shorts or tight pants who like touching each other on their bums... ;)

[Big_John]

all sports are good.. hell, i'll even watch golf if nothing else is on. my favorites, atm, are american football, soccer, tennis, and mixed martial arts.

edit: as far as playing (as opposed to watching), nothing beats soccer.. though baskteball comes close.

[Hurin_Rules]

Ice Hockey.

[King Ragnar]

Hey i forgot one Sport UFC, now there is a mans sport.

[dgfred]

Rugby is good stuff. Soccer is good stuff (love that one announcer ). Football is good stuff for the 50 minutes they're actually playing out of the 180. Love to watch hurling on the rare occasions its on TV.

For me, however, THE sport is Baseball.

BTW, I define baseball as:

played on a grass and dirt field

wooden bats and leather gloves

no designated hitter

perferably no games before 15 april and none after 15 october

SF

The Phils are only 5 games back...DOOM on the Braves.

I have been a Phils fan since the early 70's and hope they
return to playoff contenders asap.
I played HS baseball and football and went on to play baseball in college . I prefer watching football and playing baseball. Soccer involves
too much running and not enough scoring for me.

[TheSilverKnight]

Saying we're going to settle this when nothing will be settled due to the nature of the .org is quite the paradox.

I enjoy American football, but it's not my favourite sport. Favourite sport is European football, followed by rugby, then cricket.

[Louis VI the Fat]

The real football of course.


Really? I didn't know he was the father of that fine Dutch player who almost became world champion too

We are all God's children.

[Aenlic]

I think the best sport to watch would be an amalgam of Australian rules football, rugby, hang-gliding, water polo, golf, orienteering, target shooting and the Afghan equestrian sport of buzkashi.

Here's how it would work.

The competition begins in two parts. First there's a scrim where a bunch of aggressive individuals with only parts of their ears remaining attempt to keep each other from gaining control of a little white dimpled ball. At the same time, nearby, a bunch of aggressive and water-logged individuals battle each other trying to toss a long thin club with a wedge-shaped terminus into one or the other team's goal. On a successful goal, a team member oddly clad in mismatched but expensive casual wear grabs the club and runs off to chase the little white dimpled ball which has just shot out of the scrim along with miscellaneous pieces of ear. Now, the oddly clad athlete with the club attempts to strike the ball in such a manner as to make it fly down the field toward another goal. In the air, hang-gliding players battle each other, with the opposing side trying to deflect the ball in flight and the supporting flyers attempting to distract the defending flyers by shooting them with rubber bullets.

Now comes the fun part. The course/field stretches through a mine field, a marsh, some woods, and dangerous cliffs and water traps. The orienteering squad attempts to steer their team member in the expensive casual wear toward the final goal, all the while dodging rubber bullets from the air. As they near the goal, battling groups of horse-riding nomads attempt to gain the advantage. The equestrian team which succeeds in getting closest to the player in the expensive and mismatched casual wear smack him upside the head with a lead-filled blackjack and drag him on the ground while hanging sideways off their saddles toward the other team's goal while the opposing team attempts to steal their casual wear guy back. A successful score entails tossing the limp guy in the casual wear over a goal for points. Then we return to the scrim and water portion of the contest for the next round.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Soccer aka 'real football'.

USA football is boring, with all the small breaks. Baseball is really boring.

all the way to the Washington State finals in the Kingdome - which they unfortunately lost

Really? That happened to my former HS somewhat recently. Might I inquire as to where you went?

Crazed Rabbit

[Papewaio]

Played Football (Soccer) wing, back and goalie for my school. Plenty of blood noses. Even played a version of Football on ashphalt courts using a tennis ball... plenty of skinned knees.

Played Rugby League at lunch breaks at school and cricket too. Chipped my teeth down to the point that they are level with the rest despite starting at least 3mms longer.

Played Union on the weekends. Wing. Starting playing after a mate got his arm broken by the rest of my mates and said 'This is the game for me.'

Played American Football, Corner Back and Special Teams. Broke my collar bone in two places... but denied the running back his touch down.

I have played both Baseball and Softball (mainly softball as we played mixed teams). Pitcher and fielder... not so good at batting, for some reason I could only really hit balls with a lot of spin on them.

Played a tiny amount of Aussie Rules. Watched a lot more, great spectator sport.

====

Cricket people do die... check out the amount of padding in Cricket, the hardness of the ball (it is like a field hockey ball (played that too) with a hard ridge) and the speed at which it is bowled.

Rugby Union... the forwards (the stocky, big guys... Orcs) tend to get their necks broken in the scrums.

[Ianofsmeg16]

I'm a Prop!!! i'm gonna get my neck broken!!!!
Yeah i dont understand why people say Cricket is boring, if you watched the last day of the test at Old trafford a couple of days ago, you'd understand why people are nterested in it

[Divinus Arma]

I see American Football as Rugby for whimps with all that padding they wear, The other football or soccer beats American football by miles IMO.

Rugby IS pretty badass. The uniforms suck and look like clowns, but who cares when you can punch somebody in the head while running full speed!

[Taurus]

For me it is a real close call between American Football and "the other" Football. But in the end I choose American Football baby!

[Proletariat]

Baseball. Now that there's a proper thread, I shall unleash and reiterate.

Soccer and football are more popular than baseball because they are easy to understand. Baseball is the alternative (and maybe Cricket, but I don't live where it's played so I'll never end up giving it a chance).

(All you naughty Americans who are acting as if only you understand this sport need to get over yourselves. Anyone who has the attention span to last a 15 minute quarter can figure the game out. The strategy basically consists of the skill an amateur poker player needs. [They're gonna run? Load the box. They're gonna pass? Dime coverage. Oh, we guessed wrong? Touchdown.])

Football coaches don't even know how to get kicked out of a game properly.

1. Parity — Baseball has it. Football doesn't. Baseball has had five champions the last five years. The New England Patriots have won something like 20 straight Super Bowls.

2. Cheerleaders — Football has them. Baseball doesn't. Never has. Never will. Baseball doesn't need sex to sell its game.

3. Major League Players Association — Unlike football, baseball has a union that's strong and vibrant and watches out for the best interests of its players. There'll never be a salary cap in baseball.

4. Fenway Park — There's a magic there unlike any other place in sports. There's a stateliness that transcends even the special things that have happened there.

5. The Rocket — Every time he walks to the mound, it's an event. At 42, Roger Clemens has 328 victories, 4,317 strikeouts and seven Cy Young Awards. There has never been one like him.

6. Cooperstown, N.Y. — Baseball's Hall of Fame is so splendidly done, it would be special anyplace they put it. But having it in this lovely village enhances what's special. Football can't even come up with a legitimate selection process.

7. Instant replay — Let's stop a perfectly good game for 15 minutes while a guy looks at a television screen to find out what happened. Baseball understands the human element is part of the game.

8. Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell — They're beginning their 15th season together. They define professional and performance.

9. Quarterback ratings — Leave it to football to make one of its most important statistics one that almost no one understands.

10. All-Star Game — It's one of the showcase events in sports. It even counts for something. Does football still play the Pro Bowl?

11. Slogans — Football coaches paste them all over their locker rooms as if players have to be constantly reminded that playing hard and being unselfish is important. Most baseball players get it.

12. SBC Park — Stand on the walkway behind the right-field wall and take in the bay, emerald green field, San Francisco skyline and smell of garlic fries. There might not be a better place on earth.

13. Box scores — One of the most important inventions of the last 100 or so years.

14. Overtime games — You mean a coin flip could decide it?

15. Bud Selig — He's the guy in your neighborhood who almost everyone likes. He's revered by players and owners alike for his integrity and toughness. His legacy will include labor peace, wild-card berths, interleague play and record-setting attendance. He'll be the commissioner all future ones will be measured against.

16. Paul Tagliabue — If we admired smugness, we'd make him king of the world.

17. Janet Jackson — You don't have to ask, do you?

18. Dodger Dogs — Research shows they're as close to the perfect food as now exists. And the setting at Dodger Stadium ain't too bad, either.

19. Quarterback school — Is it where you go to finish your degree? Why does the NFL have so many of them? There must be some really dumb quarterbacks.

20. 56 — Every baseball fan knows Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak is the single most unbreakable record in sports. Or maybe it's Ted Williams' .406 batting average in 1941. Or Nolan Ryan's 5,714 career strikeouts. Baseball's numbers are more than just numbers. They shake memories, provide reference points and are unlike those in any other sport.

21. Ticket prices — Take out a second mortgage if you want to see your favorite NFL team. Better yet, come to the ballpark, where there are still good seats for under $20.

22. Milo Hamilton — He's not the radio voice of the Astros as much as he's the background music of our summers. It's the same with Vin Scully in Los Angeles, Marty Brennaman in Cincinnati, Eric Nadel in Texas, Jon Miller in San Francisco and others. They're constant reminders why we love it.

23. Autograph — Baseball players sign 'em almost every day. Football players don't get close enough to the fans.

24. Bull Durham/Field of Dreams — Baseball has inspired wonderful movies. Football has North Dallas Forty.

25. Ballpark nachos — They remain Arlington Stadium's lasting contribution to the game. They have all the basic food groups. Napkins required.

26. Terrell Owens — Baseball would consider him a bore. Football sees him as a cult hero.

27. Billy Wagner — He's 5-9 and throws 100 mph. Next.

28. September — There's nothing like the grinding, relentless pressure of a pennant race. The season rides on almost every pitch. The players are physically spent and mentally exhausted, and yet, they remember forever how great it was.

29. Coaches who sleep in their offices — Does it really help? What exactly are you trying to prove? Baseball managers go to dinner, not to the office, after games.

30. The World Series — Nine days. Seven games. Curt Schilling's stitched ankle. Priceless.

[Soulforged]

Nothing comes even close to American football. Its like watching a war for 2 or 3 hours. No other sport has the tactics and strategy of american football . Rugy cant compete with it eother in speed or hard hitting. If american football players didnt wear pads they would kill eachother.

Well now i know from where does that military tradition of USA .
Of the list i would say fútbol (yes this is how we call it here), but i like Basketball avobe all (why is cricket on the list and not basketball or rugby?).
And i've a question for yankees: Why is that you call your champions "World Champions" when you only play beetween your own people? I mean we breaked your asses on basketball on the Olympics.
Also i see that USA is isolated of the rest of the world respecting sports, you will always find your own sports to be the best because you loose at the rest...

[Strike For The South]

And i've a question for yankees: Why is that you call your champions "World Champions" when you only play beetween your own people? I mean we breaked your asses on basketball on the Olympics.
Also i see that USA is isolated of the rest of the world respecting sports, you will always find your own sports to be the best because you loose at the rest...

Because we are thats just how the wrold works and if hate us you are one of these 4 things

1. A terrorist
2. An America hater because we kick as*
3. You just hate freedom
4. A Commie
I love sarcasm yes I do

[Soulforged]

Because we are thats just how the wrold works and if hate us you are one of these three things

1. A terrorist
2. An America hater because we kick as*
3. You just hate freedom

I love sarcasm yes I do

Just as i thought.
But from now own we here will start to say that we are the champions of the world in fútbol and in pato (you don't know this one).
Btw i'm not commie but an anarquist, still come and get me, i will use your M16 to make you a bunch of holes.

[bmolsson]

Here you go the sport of real men

Always found that interesting. In US it's considered a sport to FALL of a hourse. In Europe you make them jump or compete on a track. Must be a cultural difference......

[Strike For The South]

Soul you wanna throw down son

P.S Sorry I thought it was Bmolsson Same avatars

[Soulforged]

Always found that interesting. In US it's considered a sport to FALL of a hourse. In Europe you make them jump or compete on a track. Must be a cultural difference......

Well here we combine the two...

[Gawain of Orkeny]

Also i see that USA is isolated of the rest of the world respecting sports, you will always find your own sports to be the best because you loose at the rest...

Oh really. Another for my silliest things ever said in the tavern

All-Time Medal Standings, Summer Games, 1896-2000

G S B Total
1 United States 872 658 586 2116
2 USSR (1952-88) 395 319 296 1010
3 Great Britain 180 233 225 638
4 France 188 193 217 598
5 Italy 179 143 157 479
6 Sweden 136 156 177 469
7 East Germany (1968-88) 159 150 136 445
8 Hungary 150 135 158 443
9 Germany (1896-64,92–) 137 138 160 435
10 Australia 102 110 138 350

Lose at the rest indeed. No other nation comes close.

[Soulforged]

Well i knew that man, you think i didn't? ...But USA still loses at soccer, rugby, polo...

[Gawain of Orkeny]

..But USA still loses at soccer, rugby, polo...

My My They do?

Also i see that Britain is isolated of the rest of the world respecting sports, you will always find your own sports to be the best because you loose at the rest...

We have too many sports here and of course ares are the best. Again nothing comes close to NFL football. Have any of you actually gone 2 a game and gotten close 2 the field during a game? The sounds are unreal.

[Soulforged]

My My They do?

Also i see that Britain is isolated of the rest of the world respecting sports, you will always find your own sports to be the best because you loose at the rest...

That's not true, i said that basketball was the best.

We have too many sports here and of course ares are the best. Again nothing comes close to NFL football. Have any of you actually gone 2 a game and gotten close 2 the field during a game? The sounds are unreal.

Have you been in a stadium of soccer here and seing everybody sing and scream an getting up on the fences until throwing it down. And then rob (yes rob) the players, it's quite a savage show, at least more savage that any NFL game . You have to come here and go to the stadium of Boca Juniors (specially when it's vs. River Plate), you will notice the stadium vibrate, and i'm talking literally, with all the people screaming, jumping and sometimes fighting the edification vibrates. Advertence: You may be robbed during your visit .

[bmolsson]

Oh really. Another for my silliest things ever said in the tavern

All-Time Medal Standings, Summer Games, 1896-2000

G S B Total
1 United States 872 658 586 2116
2 USSR (1952-88) 395 319 296 1010
3 Great Britain 180 233 225 638
4 France 188 193 217 598
5 Italy 179 143 157 479
6 Sweden 136 156 177 469
7 East Germany (1968-88) 159 150 136 445
8 Hungary 150 135 158 443
9 Germany (1896-64,92–) 137 138 160 435
10 Australia 102 110 138 350

Lose at the rest indeed. No other nation comes close.

If we take the population in to consideration. US has about 35 times large population than Sweden, which makes it more interesting. Also to note that today parts of 2, plus 3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9 are all in EU......

Just for the record.....

[Redleg]

Always found that interesting. In US it's considered a sport to FALL of a hourse. In Europe you make them jump or compete on a track. Must be a cultural difference......

Well you are suppose to stay on the damn thing - except the horse doesn't want you to be on its back.

Jumping horses is okay to - my aunt and mom both were accomplished 3-day eventers.

[Soulforged]

Jumping horses is okay to - my aunt and mom both were accomplished 3-day eventers.

Ouch that hurts!!

[Redleg]

Ouch that hurts!!

I am no slouch in ridding and jumping horses myself - but no where near the class of my mother or her sister. Back in the 1960's my aunt made the final round for the US Olympic Team - unfortunely her horse took a spill and they had to put it down.

[King Ragnar]

Again nothing comes close to NFL football. Have any of you actually gone 2 a game and gotten close 2 the field during a game? The sounds are unreal.

Im sure a Football game(proper football) would beat an NFL game by miles, the sound would be far better, also Gawain i still dont know how you can describe a NFL game like a war . Also the Premiership in England is the best league in the world, it has fans from everywhere.