Why do americans like american football but not rugby?

Question

in american football they wear helmets and pads, and you'd think that'll give them an excuse to go mental and play an exciting game.. WRONG... instead, they choose to play a game of catch.. where it stops every 30 seconds for the players to file their nails... ??

Answer 1

HAHAHA!! I love reading these comments on how Pro NFL players will wipe the floor with rugby players! Yeah that's why you wear padding and we wear jerseys! It's hilarious! I especially like the comment about "not hearing about any ex-rugby players trying out for the NFL". That's so true! You don't hear that? Why is that? Haha!! Honestly if you grew up in Australia and New Zealand and you wore helmets and pads to play rugby you would get your head smashed in and be known as a wuss for the rest of your life!!
Funny though how we never hear of NFL players trying out for the NRL (National Rugby League), the ARU (Australian Rugby Union) etc.
The real reason why you don't see rugby players trying out for the NFL is because...why try out when you are literally ASKED to play by the self-same code in question: the NFL.
Don't believe me? Last year a pro NFL team...the Jets maybe? Dunno dont care ASKED a rugby star by the name of WILLIE MASON to consider switching over to American football. Every year NFL scouts come over to Australia avidly seeking the signatures of various football players in various footballcodes but we never see the reverse of that...the rugby code looking for talent in American football?
Look, I personally like American football, heck Street NFL 2 is one of my favourite games, but please if people are going to bother saying something they really should check out the facts before they give their "opinions".
Finally, here in Australia we get lots of American University Football teams come to our city to show us their game. American football boys are HUGE no doubt. Then we show them our brand of football. Not one of those well-muscled, physically primed athletes put up their hand to take on a bunch of skinny helmetless, armourless, Aussie schoolboys. I would love too see an American football athletes play ONE game with high school Aussie rugby players. Then pigs might fly!
But hey if you disagree then by all means give me the right facts!

Answer 2

1) Rugby is a lot more brutal and violent
2) Not very many people know of rugby
3) Not as fun to watch.....since you really can't watch it since it isn't televised or anything

American Football isn't easy...and they sure as heck don't stop to file their nails. I could say the same about rugby but I don't since I haven't seen or played it, no sports are easy and if you play sports, you know that. If you play rugby, you know it's not all fun and games sometimes, well, same for football. You enjoy your sport and most enjoy American football and rugby. Also, we are basically the only country that actually has American football, so it's special. It's not that some necessary prefer one over the other, it's that we are not exposed to it as we are football, that is why we like it. It also takes cunning, strength, and control....it's more than a simple game of catch, and unless you play it like Americans play it, then yea, football would be a game of catch. But here in America, it's a symbolic sport that takes wits and strategy.

Answer 3

Why do Americans like American Football over Rugby?
I would have to say, to sum it up in one word, Marketing.

If you look back to the beginning of American Football, the two sports were more alike than dis-alike, but time has changed the game, and it's become what we see today.

I don't want to make a one-over-the-other judgment, but the NFL has changed due to many factors, not the least of which are concerns for the safety for the players and the quest for greater financial gratification by of both management and the players union......... Thus, marketing.

Answer 4

I'm an American living in England. I try to watch rugby but it bores me to tears. Before I came here, I'd heard about the hard-hitting, manly rugby players. Not many would survive a real sport. There's no hard hits in rugby. I played American football growing up. The only game harder hitting is Aussie Rules Football. Those are real men.

Answer 5

Rugby is not televised here.
Believe me, rugby players cannot compete with pro American football players.
They did have a special on that on some show
a year or two back.
Not to dis rugby players, but we don't see or hear of ex or current rugby guys trying out for the NFL.

Answer 6

Like many Americans, I haven't had much exposure to rugby.
I grew up with American Football and I think it rules.

I grew up watching and playing the sport, so I relate to what I know. American Football has brought me many memories of enjoyment, family fun and bonding with friends.

If I grew up in Australia, I'd probably feel the same way about rugby.

Answer 7

rugby is not televised in the us and therefore isnt as popular, plus it is not as organized as football. People would probably like it if it was more recognized in the us but people get attached to a sport and dont want to watch anything else. Lacrosse is fun to watch as well but the majority of the US cannot name one famous player

Answer 8

Rugby is for very weak european men...strong Americans play a very difficult hard playing game of football.

Answer 9

American football has it all. Speed, power, hardhitting, dramma, and tactical advance rivaled only by WW1 and WW2.

besides you can't go out and throw the rugby ball around. that darn thing is like a watermellon!

Answer 10

If NFL players file their nails, NFL players wipe with rugby players when they go to the bathroom...