Anyone know why, when and how it became so popular? I remember when it was just a game. Many years ago, and I vaguely remember on Sundays, my Dad, the Doctor, would head out for somewhere, a local team was playing, and he would be there to "patch up" the players. Herb Harris, who later became one of the leading Orthopedic men in the country, would go. I think Herb stayed at our house for a while during his Residency at Miami Valley.
Dayton, Ohio was somewhat the home of football, they had early teams. But, what is it about football that made it what it is today? In an early Nancy Drew mystery, they travelled to the "big game," the stands were filled with a cheering crowd, probably in the 20's. It has always been popular, but why?
It must be the physical contact, the hitting, the tackling. Boxing used to be much bigger than it is today. Baseball, still about the same, basketball also, but nothing like football. The football coach at Ohio State makes more than the president of the university. That says something. Florida A&M, prostituted themselves to play OSU for $900,000.00. 60 point underdogs, and they lost by more than that.I guess, anyone can throw a baseball, shoot a basket, but not everyone wants that ...... "contact" .... that is involved in football. Football players get in bar brawls, regularly, not other sports.
Years ago, my brother worked on his Masters Degree. His "Theses," that ultimately became reality concerned the premise that high school students attended many sport events, but knew little about what they were watching, his suggestion, teach a course in high school entitled "Sports Appreciation" or something to that effect. He sent out questionnaires to many sports figures, getting their opinion.
Students knew the least about football, but attended the games more.
Maybe it is the time of year, Fall. It is outside, more comfortable than watching baseball in the hot sun. Basketball in a hot smelly gym. Football has more going for it. Tailgating before the game, to some, almost as big as the game itself. There are some at OSU that tailgate and never go to the game, the "partying" is the main part. Not much "finesse" in football. You take the ball from here to here. Simple.
"Touch" football has never been popular, never will, NO CONTACT. Same game, NO CONTACT. So, football is popular because of the hitting, the tackling, the physical aspects of the game. Yet, I think, "the pass" is the most popular play. Or the run back on the kickoff. Watch a game on TV, the HARDEST hits tet the most OOOS and AAWS.
Why is football so popular, it just "is," that's why.
This jersey is in the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. It was worn my Mack Hummon who played with the Triangles. Mack was a family friend for many years, a teacher of mine in high school, and the Oakwood High School athletic field is named after him. Mack was a good friend of legendary coach Woody Hayes.
