why on earth 22 men running after a ball make millions of others stop what they are doing and start cheering?
460314
We stop to watch it because they are playing the best game on Earth!\n\nGet Real!!!\n\nPS: You don't need to like or understand our reasons...you just have to respect it!
153678
Because people like you dont understand the importance of them.  These are the world's best athletes all competing together. Many people dream of competing in these games. It is also a symbol of peace and cooperation between all participating nations.
316591
i can remember seeing flyovers in 95. why not, sports bring out emotions that you don't feel everyday, they are played by the best in the the world. and they would be nothing without the sacrifice of the countless men who gave their lives to give us the opportunity to be entertained at the highest level, + its its killer marketing
1179529
It is a passed down tradition from other footballers before them. And their teammates run after them anyway right?
1149675
i think that this trend obviously mainly centers around europe & s.america, because in these countries, kids grow up playing soccer. it's just a really popular sport (in my dad's country in europe, kids play it every chance they get- even in the dead of winter on 2 feet of snow-i've actually seen this), and so a lot of patriotism & pride comes to play during the world cup. saying "my country kicks @$$ at the most popular sport in the world!!" is really just another reason for people to go "MY COUNTRY ROCKS!!!" basically, loads of people (sometimes myself included, i'm ashamed to say) perceive their country's soccer-playing skills as part of how "good" their country is. & so if another country whips them at soccer, they get mad cause it's almost like a diss to their country. the more aggressive (or just drunk =P) types get "mad" or start a fight, & it's obviously NOT healthy to get this excited about a sport both physically & mentally (remember manuel the crazy  fan who divorced & lost his job 2 see every one of Spain's soccer games? also see http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/19062006/6/n-odds-doctors-probe-heart-attack-risk-soccer-fans.html), but, well, people do it anyway. maybe it's just in the blood of certain countries to place such importance on a sport? lol i hope this made at least some sense...
1135586
there are 53 players on a team, not 42 or 65 like those first two idiots answered. and there are several different fouls. the officials throw yellow penalty flags when a foul is committed. the rules are far too involved and complicated to go into here, but the sport is so strategic it's like a hard hitting chess match. if you watch some games and start learning the rules, i'm sure you'll find it fascinating. thank you for showing such an interest, it's very refreshing to hear a european asking about the rules instead of just bashing a sport they don't understand.
1122279
Its just such a big deal to so many people, peoples perspective kinda get messed up.  On the other side of things, it IS a big deal, and should be recognized as such.  But often people get too caught up in their own team, their own personal game, and winning, and forget about what makes football the best sport in the world, the passion and beauty of the game.  People should focus more on Germany's beautiful equalizer, coming at the end of the game, and less on who it was against and its consequences.  People should focus more Ghana's brilliant play in their second match and less about what it means for the Czech Republic.  If, instead of insulting other teams when, lets face it, they beat you fair and square, we just admitted defeat and learned how to lose graciously, the game would be better.
573227
Oh that's normal for those who follow sports they can't understand why anyone wouldn't want to watch and cheer. But there are more that don't watch, than watch, which is truism for most events.\nI for one, couldn't care less about it.
1170033
Because guys dominate the sport.
1036987
soccer/football....over 2 billion people can't be wrong
959648
Why is this just singled out to football players?.. There are alot more sports than that.  They all do the same thing. You kinda sound like a homo in the making.
506959
it is amazing..how so many wanna be people...need a leader of the pack to enjoy a sport.  It is amazing how so many people can not respect a group of guys like themselves (humble and talented) who are awsome at the game of basketball.  It is amazing how we place the Kobe and the LaBroms of the world higher than anything or anyone.  Do they not talk and walk like the rest of us?  The Detroit Pistons are a great talented team and do not need a STAR because they are all STARS.
64703
No. It's more of like a bunch of really annoying people jumping up and down apparently excited over every aspect of a sport they don't remotely understand.
588444
ARE YOU KIDDING.... ever really watched a full game of soccer?\nthere is a lot of skill involved... that is what keeps people watching
342546
the main reason is, get ready..........\n\nthey need instant gratification.  not enough scoring, the most commonly used excuse.  look at all the other sports.  i am american and love the sport.  i played it all my life.  one day, americans will get it.  it's the best sport in the world.  you need to be athletic, passionate, hard-working, and most of all, smart.
685109
Probably because it's relatively easy to play.  Only a ball is needed, and no other specialized equipment, so even children in poor countries can afford to play it, which builds its popularity.  It doesn't hurt that the teams are large and everyone gets involved, either.
213898
Why does everyone care so much?  I'm getting tired of hearing and watching and reading Bonds, Bonds, Bonds.   Let's not forget that at 30 teams at a 25 man roster, minus Bonds there are 749 other people playing MLB.  Just once,\n can we focus on the good things?