American Football vs. Rugby: More Similarities Than We Think?

As a fan of Rugby Union, I often find it hard to see past it as the greatest sport in the world. As I’m sure football fans do with their beloved game, as do cricketers, basketballers, baseball players, golfers, American footballers and all sports fans do to their preferred sport.

I sit there glued to the TV screen when watching a rugby game, appreciating what, in my mind, is the best form of sport there is.

I love every part of it, from the big hits to the scorching tries. However when there is no rugby on TV, what do I watch?

I am also a football fan, so i do watch football. I have been an Arsenal fan since I can remember. But I’m afraid personally football does not just give me the same thrill as my preffered past time – rugby.

So when there is no rugby, I still don’t know what to watch!

Then a rather boring day on my sofa, I found my self fall onto an American football game on Skysports. Was I impressed?

Yeah. I’m not going to lie to you, it hasn’t converted me as a fan. I still consider rugby far more technically great, and a lot more exciting. But watching it I found there are a lot of similarities.

The big hits, the running lines that are still able to trick the most defiant of defenders. For a second there, I admit it gave me thrills.

But watching the American football game, I couldn’t understand how rugby hasn’t integrated itself as a popular sport in the USA, as it is surely a sport which does reflect some of American football’s greater attributes.

USA, a growing rugby nation, they appeared in their first World Cup in 1987, and the Americans now play regularly in the Churchill Cup. Growing stronger and stronger each year.

With a few of their players becoming household names in a rugby fans house, with the likes of Mike Hercus and the Billy Whizz of USA Takudzwa Ngwenya (famously burning Brian Habana on the outside, for what must have been one of the tries of the World Cup).

Take a look for yourself…       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWtBTvCDjX4

I’m sure, as an American football fan, you probably aren’t going to admit rugby is a better sport. Hell, you may not even like it. Yet you will never know if you do not give it a try.

If you enjoy seeing athletes hurl themselves into tackles, crushing their opposition. If you enjoy to see a fast game, big tries and big scorelines.

Then do what I did, and give something else a go. Give Rugby Union a go. You never know you may get the same thrills as I commonly do for a great sport.