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The USA and American Football. Mr. P. Leighton St Mary’s 11-18 High School Sport 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?.
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The USA and American Football. Mr. P. Leighton St Mary’s 11-18 High School Sport 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?
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…
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?
Year 1920 1960 1995 2007 Cost of a franchise $100 $2Million $150Million $600Million The rising cost of a franchise…
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).
