It is a fact that American football is among the most popular sports in the world. There are about 111.3 million individuals who watched the Super Bowl in 2017 and 98.2 million in 2019, based on Nielsen. About two-thirds of adults in the US watch the games of the National Football League.
Are you not familiar with American football? Then, this post will help you.
With its high popularity, American football is already considered a global sport. According to the International Federation of American Football, there are about 80 countries that have organized federations for the game.
Short Background
American football is originated from English sports of association football (soccer) and rugby. Elite Northeastern colleges played the sports way back in the 19th century with rules from the London Football Association. Later, the sport had intercollegiate matches at schools like Princeton, Rutgers, McGill, and Harvard University. The rules in the rugby-type game became preferential among spectators and players.
American Football Day
American Football Day is celebrated every November 5 of the year.
Father of American Football
You may not know it, but the sports have someone considered the “Father of American Football.” This father is Walter Camp, who transformed the rugby-style game to a sport that resembles today’s American football.
Walter Camp provided two key innovations to American football. The opening ‘scrummage’ was removed, and he introduced that the team needs to give up the ball after it has failed to advance down the field-specific yardage. In addition, the father of American football also developed lines of scrimmage, the quarterback position, and the scoring scale used in today’s American football.
Super Bowl Sunday
In American football, there is what we called Super Bowl Sunday. It was held on the first Sunday of February. In this event, two main National Football League (NFL) will see the champions. This year, the Super Bowl was held on February 7, 2021, around 6:30 pm at Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Kansas City Chiefs.
Other Facts about American Football
The football games usually take about 3 hours. The NFL game comes with an average attendance of about 66,957 spectators. It was developed on college campuses but now became a worldwide phenomenon. It is also now a multi-billion-dollar industry.
Why is American Football So Popular?
Are you curious why American football is so popular? Well, consider the following reasons.
One Game
American football is a one-game, so you can easily determine the best since each team only gets one shot. One team will experience agony, and the other victory. It makes the sport more thrilling and exciting.
Rivalries
You can also enjoy rivalries in this sport. You will love seeing your favorite team fighting to their well-known rivals. It can offer you fun, excitement, and entertainment while waiting for the losing or winning team. The sports also show teamwork and pride that will inspire you, especially if you’re an aspiring footballer.
Fan Culture
You can also be amazed by the fan culture wherein fans are passionately supporting their favorite team. If you love American football, you can also pick your favorite team that you want to support. Not just that; ardent fans of American Football often place bets on their favorite players or teams. Just like how soccer has popular betting platforms and special analyses like the Single Bet Of The Day, so too does American Football have predictions and bets that happen during tournaments.
Great Way To Watch With Your Family And Friends
Watching American football is a good way to spend quality time with your family and friends. Spending time with them can increase your bond while reducing your stress.
Power of Perseverance
American football also presents the power of perseverance among the players. You can find inspiration stories from your favorite team or player.
Exciting Event
American football is an exciting event that many football lovers anticipate. The sport has Super Bowl Sunday, just like what we mentioned earlier.
Sports has a lot to offer for both players and fans. With the rising recognition of American football, you can now collect memorabilia and other items associated with your favorite team or athlete.
To sum it up, American football is a global sport that many people love. With its increasing popularity, many fans are hooked to pick and support their favorite team. With this article, we hope you learned more about American football history and other facts about American football.
