Why do Americans call the brawling game "football"? They hardly ever use the foot on the ball! Clser to rugby.
965041
Because it origianally came from rugby football.  Yes we changed the rules but kept the name the same.\nBoth American football and soccer have their origins in varieties of football played in the United Kingdom in the mid-19th century, and American football is directly descended from rugby football.\n\nThe word "football", when used in reference to a specific game can mean any one of those described above. Because of this, much friendly controversy has occurred over the term football, primarily because it is used in different ways in different parts of the English-speaking world. Most often, the word "football" is used to refer to the code of football that is considered dominant within a particular region.\n\nIn most English-speaking countries, the word "football" usually refers to Association football, also known as "soccer" (the name was originally a slang abbreviation of Association). Of the 45 national FIFA affiliates in which English is an official or primary language, only three (Canada, Samoa and the United States) use "soccer" in their name, while the rest use football (although the Samoan Federation actually uses both). However, in some countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, use of the word "football" by soccer bodies is a recent change (or a reversion to a long-abandoned name) and has been controversial.
510558
Its a cross between boxing and chess, in the past you had battles. Today there is rugby. A battle with tactics and physicality, without the chance of being killed. How can that not be fun ?
556671
haha sailtheworld your great. I can tell your not american, its obvious. Although i am a football player (soccer) and i am in lvoe with the sport, american football is also great. There is this rivalry between the 2 sports in American and each side has some good arguments. I would still have to disgree with one point, not all of the players are fat. Usually only linemen. In fact, many of the skilled players like Wide recievers and runnign backs are pretty jacked. But i still aprove of you argument and your love for the real football.\n\n\nTo answer the real question, girls usually dotn play american football because its all men tacklign eachother. Women are smaller then men, its natural, and they also usually have kless agression. I dont often see a bunch of girls getting pumped up to go out and hit eachother, they usually like to play less contact sports with finess. Some girls do play football, in high school, and they do have women flag football leagues but the majority of women do not play football because of the contact issue and how rough it is. Thats almost as bad as a female playing rugby haha just insane.
1069380
American football has to have pads because of the size and speed of the players.  Many guys that play rugby would not stand a chance in American football as they would not be powerful enough.  All you have to do is take a look.  Rugby is a tough game I do agree but don't knock ours because it's actually more violent and faster.  Soccer is just what it is and we can't very well call it football when we already have football now can we? Also, why is it Europeans or wherever you come from why don't you quit bashing America.  Tired of it man.  Do you understand?
1153889
American football is not for wimps, its for utter pansies. The hits in rugby are comparable to the hits in American football. however what is this special teams stuff, once your on the pitch stay on the pitch. Until you've laid on the wrong side of a ruck in rugby you will never know just how soft American footballers really are. There are a few differences with equipment as well, the body Armour used in American football, bloody hell why all that padding? where are they playing Baghdad?. and they certainly don't wear huge studded, hardened toe capped boots. so there you have it. Rugby is a game for men of enormous stature and bravery, and American football is played by the male equivalent of a 5 year old girl. PS. murder ball is the only true game!
1140129
OK I know that the English/Europeans call it Football because the game is played with the skills of the foot etc, but I'm an Aussie and we call it soccer too. I don't understand why you guys get so bent out of shape over what other countries relate to as the name or code of a game or sport. Countries are different and have different names for more things that the codes of sport. You call it football, we call it soccer, we say footy, you guys say league. It doesn't matter. Whatever it's called isn't the point, the point is the game and people's love and support for it. Celebrate our differences in language and grammar, it's what makes each of our countries and sports unique. It's not meant as an offence. It;s just the way it is.
1171882
I think soccer should have been named "football" as well, because MOST of the game is played with the foot.  Why not call what we call soccer "football" and what we call football (american football) soccer? It avoids calling the game "handball" like has been previously mentioned, especially because you use more than just your hands in american football. \n\nAs to WHY we don't call it football, I don't know, but it would be more logical.  Too late now...
331975
Absolutely agree that it should be "Football",\n'cause that's the original name, and that's what the rest of\nthe world use, and it's really played with foot/feet.\n\nThe American Football should be called something like\n"tackle-ball" or "American Rugby" instead, 'cause they really\ndo not play it with feet much -- the main action is not\nkicking but passing & tackling (not using feet, but using arms\nand body, ...and body armours)...
559161
firstly "PLEASE CALL IT FOOTBALL NOT soccer"\n\nsorry yanks football in UK came first,and we play with it with the feet. your football is rugby over here.\n\nyou may get some enlightenment from the F.A. IN UK.
1104148
Haha...good question.  They're just amazed that Americans don't go crazy over soccer so they try to make fun of American football...however, American football is simply a much, much more exciting game.  I'm not a soccer hater, it's alright, but not nearly as exciting as football.
1132737
Fat rednecks who play rugby. Sigh... I hate stupid people. One, Rugby is an english sport. Two, most rugby players are in decent shape. Three proponents of football cannot say anything about fatness in rugby when there are an ass load of fatasses in the NFL. Its called the offensive line.
410070
To defend the Americans (for once) I have been a fan of American Football for some years and it is a specifically (and continuously) impact sport where the padding is absolutely necessary.  Even with it there are still significant injuries.\n\nRugby is absolutely a rough sport but if they hit like the American footballers do we would need 50 a side to be able to finish the game.\n\nOverall enjoy the sport you love, don't try to big it up by slagging off other sports\n\nPeace Out.
1020121
Americans can't play football. They're made of wood.\nSon de madera! Troncos!\n:)
1054998
As an African, i say soccer match, more precisely, "Football match". \nWho told the americans they cud change the name and call it soccer when you play the game with your foot? (look at the game they call football, tell me when you ever saw the players "foot" the ball!)\nSheesh......
717317
ahahah. theres no fouls in football btw, thats basketball. I'd say football. You have to learn plays, technique, and study game tapes of the opponent. Rugby is pretty much all-out running around and hitting people. As you can see, much smaller learning curve.
41341
It is not played outside the US.  Rugby is much more international and is no longer in the Olympics.
1103645
Funny that DNCTERRORISTORG calls it a loser sport,Americans always say somethings for losers when they aren't any good at it... World Series my foot,there's only one country involved in that loser baseball competition,a sport that  where i come from is a childrens game called rounders... Learn to play a real game you big bunch of girls,even American football is a rip off of rugby and you girls added padding... Losers