Football as WAR

[The Avon Lady]

Originally Posted by Skybird

Hence the German games of "Brennball" and "Völkerball".

And hence the name "tennis", as ten is the number to count to before the delayed action grenades go off. :p

[Skybird]

I just learned from my digital dictionary that the German name for the game is harmless, compared to the American version of it:

Völ|ker|ball m game for two teams where the object is to hit an opponent with a ball and thus put him out of the game, È dodgeball (Brit), È warball (US)

© Langenscheidt KG, Berlin und München und HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

[Sailor Steve]

I liked TarJak's reference to all contact sports. While soccer may have contact, in the rugby family the way to stop the man with the ball is to STOP him. Hitting is the object. This is a true wargame.

[sunvalleyslim]

It's all good fun whatever sport you prefer........But American Football and Baseball is the best................IMHO

[The Avon Lady]

Originally Posted by Skybird

I just learned from my digital dictionary that the German name for the game is harmless, compared to the American version of it:

Völ|ker|ball m game for two teams where the object is to hit an opponent with a ball and thus put him out of the game, È dodgeball (Brit), È warball (US)

© Langenscheidt KG, Berlin und München und HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

Never used the term 'warball' in the US. Always used to call it 'dodgeball'. Hubby says the same.

[Tchocky]

Here you go

What a sport

[The Avon Lady]

Originally Posted by Skybird

If so, we should no longer look down on the Romans for having gladiators in the arena.

I bet the Romans didn't have this.

[Kapitan_Phillips]

Just made this up:
__________________________________________________ _________________
(To the tune of Universal Soldier by Donovan)

He's 5' 2", he's 6' 4"
He fights with a headset atop his bonce
He's dressed in polo shirts, he's dressed in a suit
Been a coach for a thousand years

He's a Raven, a Raider, a Panther, a Jag
A Falcon, a Viking and a Bolt
And he knows he shouldnt yell
But he knows he does it well
Yell at you my friend for fumbling the ball

And he's fighting for a 1st down,
He's fighting for the next,
He's fighting for field goal range;
He's the one who must decide,
Whether to pass or whether to dive
And he hopes the defense will not change.

But without him,
How would Randy - have caught that TD pass,
Without him Brady would've stood alone;
He's the one who gives the orders
As a weapon of the team
And without him all the scoring cant go on.

He's footballs greatest Coach and he's always to blame,
When the team doesnt make it past the Fall
He comes from here and there and you and me
And brothers, can't you see;
This is the way we fight the gridiron war...

__________________________________________________ ____________

Hope you enjoyed it

[Onkel Neal]

Originally Posted by Skybird

Does it serve the spirit of sports - to intentionally and needlessly compare it to war? If so, we should no longer look down on the Romans for having gladiators in the arena.

I never did.

August, thanks for the , it has to be heard to be fully appreciated

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

I never did.

Meant the article you linked!

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Kapitan_Phillips

Just made this up:
__________________________________________________ _________________
(To the tune of Universal Soldier by Donovan)

Kapitan Phillips, that's brilliant! (saving space by not quoting the whole thing).

I just wanted to give credit where credit's due: Donovan had a big hit with Universal Soldier, but it was written by Buffy Ste. Marie.