Football is the best sport that can be played and watched

By Jerry Wang

Staff Writer

Football is one of the most played and watched sports in the U.S. The first official game of football was played on Nov. 6, 1869 between two universities, Princeton and Rutgers. The game itself had taken rules from rugby and soccer, creating a new hybrid sport.

According to the same source, after many universities started adopting the game, the American Professional Football Association (APFA) was soon founded in 1920. The APFA soon merged with what is now the National Football League (NFL), creating the league that professional athletes play in today. 

It is currently the most popular sport in the United States, with over 112.3 million viewers tuning in to watch Super Bowl LVI, the championship game between the two conferences in the NFL. Millions of people also follow their local favorite teams and cheer them on every week. 

Considering every aspect of the game, football is the best sport that can be watched and played because it is so entertaining.

For example, the game always has spectators on the edge of their seats because of the many plays and moments that can happen. From the incredible helmet catch by David Tyree in 2008 to the Patriots interception at the one-yard line to win the game, there is never a dull moment in football. 

Additionally, football’s unique schedule makes the sport more exciting. The NFL goes on for a time period of only 17 weeks, with each team playing once a week. Compared to baseball and basketball, there is a perfect amount of entertainment instead of 162 or 82 games. 

After the playoff rounds, a team could possibly make it to the Super Bowl. This is the championship game for football and isn’t like other sports championships. The Super Bowl is one game, so win or go home. Unlike other sports that play championship games in a series (multiple games), the Super Bowl is a national event with the whole country tuning in to the single-game thriller.

Continuing with the idea that the whole country watches the Super Bowl, football has the best fans and atmosphere compared to other sports. One of the most common ways to watch football is by tailgating. This involves being right outside of the stadium where the game is played and consuming grilled food and alcoholic beverages while watching the game on a TV screen. There are many different things to do when tailgating, but the atmosphere shared with other fans just makes the game so much more entertaining. 

A final reason why football is so entertaining is that fans are able to manage a team consisting of league players. Fantasy football is a game that can be played during the football season, and it involves drafting a virtual team. For example, many apps such as DraftKings or FanDuel allow people to draft multiple teams and compete to win money without needing to actually watch the football games. Depending on the players’ performances, points are awarded to win head-to-head matches with other virtual teams. Participants have full control of all the decisions and it makes football entertaining if they don’t enjoy watching the sport.

In conclusion, football should be watched and followed by everyone. Whether on the field or viewing from the couch, enjoy the one-of-a-kind entertainment that football has to offer. 

Featured Image (at the top of the post): Football is the most popular sport in the U.S. PHOTO CREDIT: Carol M. Highsmith on Rawpixel