Why do you call it Football (NFL)? (1 Viewer)

[davislane]

With the start of Superbowl LVII almost upon us, Im reminded and still at a loss to understand why you Americans call your beloved NFL "football".

99% of the time the game is played by either throwing the ball or running with the ball in your hand.

Wouldn't it make more sense to name the sport after the dominant part of the anatomy used to play the game? handball?

What am I missing?

 

[BGinGA]

What am I missing?

The origin of the game.

 

[dkellerd]

We also don't get options to choose the name of the sport when we learn about it. So the terms soccer and football stick, as was taught. If I were taught to call soccer, football…all other kids would have no clue what I was talking about.

 

[Colquhoun]

See? American football was played in the Middle Ages.

 

[davislane]

The origin of the game.

so they change the game completely but conveniently forgot to change the name? lol.

We also don't get options to choose the name of the sport when we learn about it. So the terms soccer and football stick, as was taught. If I were taught to call soccer, football…all other kids would have no clue what I was talking about.

we are going through this process in Australia. It will take some time but its slowly creeping in to call the game by its proper name.

 

[upNdown]

I like to think there’s still a significant amount of apathy and disdain for soccer here in America and that we just call it football out of spite.

 

[davislane]

I like to think there’s still a significant amount of apathy and disdain for soccer here in America and that we just call it football out of spite.

a big F U to your original overlords.

 

[mugenpowr]

Both soccer and American Football are played in a rectangular field with goalposts on each end.

 

[BGinGA]

so they change the game completely but conveniently forgot to change the name? lol.

Pretty much, sorta like basketball. Should have been renamed hoopball at some point.

Never understood rugby, though. No carpets anywhere and no stinging honey-makers.

 

[TheRealTeddyKGB]

Because "handball" was already taken.

 

[davislane]

Because "handball" was already taken.

when has that ever stopped the US?

 

[Beakertwang]

Because "handball" was already taken.

"Handegg" is still available.

 

[TheRealTeddyKGB]

when has that ever stopped the US?

Don't forget about the Canadians in the Great White North!

 

[MrRossKeys]

Wouldn't it make more sense to name the sport after the dominant part of the anatomy used to play the game? handball?

One of these is a football. The other is a basketball.

The first thing you do with a football is kick it. Starts every game and most of the time ends every close game.

 

[tabletalker7]

 

[Frogzilla]

99% of the time the game is played by either throwing the ball or running with the ball in your hand.

Wouldn't it make more sense to name the sport after the dominant part of the anatomy used to play the game? handball?

What am I missing?

There are 22 people on the field and only one of those throws the ball on some plays. The one running the ball does it as much with arms and chest than hands. And again 21 out of 22 aren’t touching the ball. Many never will.

I don’t think handball is at all a good name for the sport.

 

[DirtyTIVA]

Because there are no bases and no baskets. And the ball isn’t soft the way Brady likes it.

 

[Kensco]

Because it's played with a football. Duh!

 

[BGinGA]

Because it's played with a football. Duh!

Correctomundo!!

Football is played with a football.

Soccer is played with a kickball.

 

[Shaggy]

The origins of “rugby” and “soccer” are the same game. The game was “football.” This started in England. At some point the game morphed into two different games as rules were being developed and clarified. At this point the name of the games were also refined… “Association Football” and “Rugby Football.” Association Football is what the World calls Football. American football is a morphed version of rugby football.

Incidentally, the name “soccer” is derived from the “soc” in asSOCiation.

https://sqaf.club/which-came-first-football-or-rugby/

 

[pokrgeek21]

With the start of Superbowl LVII almost upon us, Im reminded and still at a loss to understand why you Americans call your beloved NFL "football".

99% of the time the game is played by either throwing the ball or running with the ball in your hand.

Wouldn't it make more sense to name the sport after the dominant part of the anatomy used to play the game? handball?

What am I missing?

Yea I guess it should be called run ball or concussion league lol.

 

[pltrgyst]

With the start of Superbowl LVII almost upon us, Im reminded and still at a loss to understand why you Americans call your beloved NFL "football".
99% of the time the game is played by either throwing the ball or running with the ball in your hand.
Wouldn't it make more sense to name the sport after the dominant part of the anatomy used to play the game? handball?
What am I missing?

People who worship a ball and bat game called "cricket" shouldn't criticize other people's games.

 

[davislane]

People who worship a ball and bat game called "cricket" shouldn't criticize other people's games.

 

[pltrgyst]

View attachment 1079615

Thank you for your support.

 

[LowerBama1714]

The game of “Grab Ass”…pure…intuitive.

My favorite game.

 

[LowerBama1714]

The game of “Grab Ass”…pure…intuitive.

My favorite game.

 

[davislane]

The game of “Grab Ass”…pure…intuitive.

My favorite game.

I prefer "feel for feel" as its allows for more creative interactions

 

[LowerBama1714]

I prefer "feel for feel" as its allows for more creative interactions

I’m in.

 

[Perthmike]

With the start of Superbowl LVII almost upon us, Im reminded and still at a loss to understand why you Americans call your beloved NFL "football".

99% of the time the game is played by either throwing the ball or running with the ball in your hand.

Wouldn't it make more sense to name the sport after the dominant part of the anatomy used to play the game? handball?

What am I missing?

I constantly wonder the same thing about Aussie rules "football"

 

[davislane]

I constantly wonder the same thing about Aussie rules "football"

at least they are constantly kicking the ball...