The USA and American Football.

Mr. P. LeightonSt Mary’s 11-18 High SchoolSport and Culture.

Today’s Session…

Look at American Football- why does this sport suit the way of life in America?

What is the “Frontier Spirit”? How have the Professionals helped the

collegiate and amateur game?

NFL across America…

American Football

American Football or “Grid Iron” is simply known as Football- the most popular spectator sport in America.

Task- in groups of 2 or 3 make a poster/ info sheet to show your knowledge of American Football…

“Mobile Chess” or “a mixture of brute force and science?”

Some History then…

The game developed in prestigious “Ivy League” schools such as Yale, Harvard, Princeton and Rutgers… Why?

In the 1800 there were no set rules: they were agreed before they played!

It was so rough that it was banned by University authorities for a while.

The first game…

Was played between Rutgers and Princeton in the first Inter-collegiate game.

By 1900 the game had developed several characteristics… Violent. Sensational. Hazardous. Success based on Survival through physical force. In 1910 six players were killed before the rule

changes. Death wasn’t uncommon- very little protective clothing worn at first.

Football and the USA… The characteristics shared

reflected society then and now…

“The Frontier Spirit” emerged… “To stand up to harsh

environments and situations and succeed.”

"Football is like life, it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority.“

Vince Lombardi.

American Football and Commercialism… Teams are either privately owned or public

companies (Chicago Bears Cartel/ Green Bay Packers Foundation)

Teams are run as “franchises” Competition for TV time inflates the cost of

franchises- which sometimes means that they must relocate hundreds of miles away from their traditional fans. i.e. Oakland Raiders.

Top players earn millions through contracts- where else does the money come from?

Continued… The NFL is split into 2

conferences the AFC and the NFC- each having latitudinal sections (N,S,E,W)

Commercial time at the Super Bowl is BIG business… $2.6M dollars for 30 seconds at last count!

Half time shows have included- Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson and the Rolling Stones- big business and big entertainment value for 12 mins!

The “Franchise” System in NFL. “Franchises” can be

bought and sold by owners- it isn’t unknown for owners to trade their franchise names- why?

Teams which finish last get first pick in the NFL Draft- meaning they get the option to take the top talent or trade them on for different players.

How is this reflective of society?

The rising cost of a franchise…

Year1920

1960

1995

2007

Cost of a franchise$100

$2Million

$150Million

$600Million

American Football: Controversy. The game, historically

was racial in parts. Integration was banned in

the NFL all the way up until the mid-forties.

Quarterbacks were always white, Receivers, Running backs and tackles were generally black… why?

The first black quarterback was Marlin Briscoe in 1972.

The Collegiate System and the NFL.

NFL’s Main talent pool once was in serious danger of becoming defunct.

Colleges were in serious debt and needed TV time to help subsidize their spending.

They both had a problem to which a symbiotic solution was needed…

The Pro’s agreed not to play on Saturday’s… allowing the amateurs a share of TV coverage!

The amateurs continue to provide talent to be turned into the mega-stars of the game- benefiting the owners!

Are there any “pro’s and con’s” to this arrangement?

Exam Style Questions… Take into account your prior knowledge on the

USA and American Football. These two topics will form a key area and a base

for your knowledge when answering a question on Commercialism, “The American Dream” or on the “Win Ethic” that surrounds professional sports.

With that in mind try the following exam questions with your group (Green, Blue and Yellow groups)

Review… “Commercialism is the machine which

drives American sport” give reasons for and against this statement (10).

With reference to the ‘American Dream’, ‘Commercialism’ and the ‘Lombardian Win Ethic’ explain sport in the USA. (10)

“American football is a game that reflects American society” Critically analyse and evaluate this statement (10).

Key words from today…