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10 reasons why we love football

By Matt Verderame

Nov 2, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; General view of footballs before a game between the Houston Texans and the Philadelphia Eagles at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; General view of footballs before a game between the Houston Texans and the Philadelphia Eagles at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 10, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants fans tailgate before the game against the Oakland Raiders at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants fans tailgate before the game against the Oakland Raiders at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Football season is right around the corner. In fact, some teams already have their rookies at training camp, getting ready for the 2015 NFL season. It is a time for hope and thoughts of a Super Bowl, even if those musings are nothing more than a pipe dream.

For each fan, there are reasons why they love their football team. For some, the reasons are simple. Fr others, they are incredibly complex. People who don’t love sports can never understand those who do, because the bond between fan and team is impossible to explain, yet too strong to ignore.

With that in mind, here are 10 reasons we love our teams:

10. On schedule

Every autumn and winter, we know that our team is going to play 16 games. There are no rain outs or postponements due to snow. Unlike going out on a date, there is no such thing as being stood up or having to reschedule. You can set your watch on the NFL, knowing there will be a Thursday night game, a Monday night game, and a bevy of action every Sunday. There is always something to be said for reliability.

9. Hard hits

Look, everyone can talk about the safety of the game here. And while safety is of paramount importance, everyone in the crowd still loves a good, clean, massive hit from a hard-charging free safety or a linebacker in pursuit. People love Marshawn Lynch, and it isn’t because he plays the game like a Boy Scout. The NFL is the perfect mixture of violence and elegance, passion and athleticism. People can’t help but be drawn into the spectacle.

8. Traditions

If you love the NFL, there is a good chance you have old relatives that also follow the sport. Most people think about Thanksgiving and harp on two things; food and football. It is something that is laced into the American quilt of life, and it is not going anywhere. Football is a quasi religion for people, talking precedent over everything else when it is on the television.

7. Tailgating

If you go to the stadium, you are not getting there to simply walk through the doors. Fans love to sit outside the venue for hours with their buddies, hanging out and cooking up approximately 1,458 pounds of food per person. At some stadiums such as Arrowhead or Lambeau Field, the tailgating experience is a must for any fan. Only after partying for a few hours can the game start.

6. Sprint, not a marathon

Think about the other three major sports in North America. Baseball plays 162 regular-season games while basketball and hockey each have 82. In football, every game is of the utmost magnitude. If you have a two-game losing streak in the NFL, you are in legitimate trouble. In the other sports, you can have a bad month and hardly blink. The urgency makes for an incredible experience.

Next: Reasons 5-1

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