I think Russia should start playing American Football

[yureeka]

I am pretty sure Russians would do damn well tackling and hurting eachother!

[Aleksander-Pushkin]

American football is a great sport, one that every country should compete in, but unfortunatly never caught on, and is knocked in Europe, and most parts of Asia and South America.
Russian probably would be very good football players, though, and I would like to see it, but it will never happen.
Something that really burns me about other countries, is that everybody in that country puts down football (american), and wenever put down cricket, rugby nor soccer, even though we don't play them.
This is because, we don't want to be cruel to anybody's opinion. We don't laugh at their cultural customs, why do they laugh at ours. America is great, but still, why does greatness, which means we had to achive something to get here mean to other countries bullies. Look at all of the wars that America has battled in. See a pattern? we never strike first, we always wait, and compromise, trying to not have to use our weapons, but other countries attack us with now warning. Just think. The closing of Boston Harbor, Pearl Harbor and the attack on New York city this past fall.
In all these circumstances, we waited to long. We waited to long.


~Aleksander~

[1-0_to_the_Arsenal]

US football is descended from rugby league, but it has so many stoppages (TV's fault), and the players are so padded, you can see why it looks like a big nancies version.

As for "we never put down cricket, rugby nor soccer, even though we don't play them." why not put them down? We're not that sensitive!
In England football, rugby league & boxing are for the poor and tennis & rugby union are middle-class and we're always slagging off each other's sports.

[TMstudent]

That would be interesting to see, Football in -30 degrees during the winter, that'd be fun to watch, people barely moving, lots of offense. Seriously, I'd like to see it. As far as us not putting their sports down, that's a lie, i do it sometimes, but that's because of an inside joke with my cousin in France, and my friend from England. Ya know, what would really be interesting in my opinion, Baseball, (Russia has little known baseball leauge, i encourage you to check it out, some are pretty good actually)

[OZeight]

Well I share your motivation for tapping into Russia and many countries abroad although, not for American Football but for Rugby League

LEAGE is not "Rugby" people, rugby = union, leage is another code similar but different all the same.

American football and Rugby League however have much in common really. Someone said NFL descended from League, that I dont know and can't confirm but could be true because USA did tour Australia & New Zealand playing Rugby LEAGUE a number of times in the early years between 1910 - 1950. Many don't know that, even League fans. However it never really caught on. I'm sure an NFL fan could tell me that USA did similar in reverse with us which also failed. American Football probably could never take off over here and thats nothing against it personally, the reason in Australia is we have too many established "football codes" already. AFL, NRL, ARU and soccer league whatever its called (lol) ... But if USA wants to put some money behind it then go for it! They did play infront of a large crowd of around 100,000 afew years back at Stadium Australia (Dallas Cowboys V someone)

Personally I find the game a bit slow but hey im just 1 person. I reckon many NFL fans would enjoy Rugby League, you got to see a game when we played there in 88-92 (whenever it was we came to LA) .. its a very fast flowing game, faster than Rugby Union (less penalties) and has similar field markings as NFL. 10 metre lines as opposed to 10 yard lines is the first simularity.

And whats more... (IS ANYONE STILL READING?) ...America has an AMNRL (league) already in existance in the northern states, you might like to check it out - http://www.amnrl.com - still very small but atleast theres some interest and inititive there.

On a final note, GOOD GOING RUSSIAN BEARS who beat USA Tomahawks in a one off Rugby LEAGUE test match the other night infront of 35000 fans! Unbelievably, I could be wrong but I believe this is the biggest international turnout for a Rugby League game in a decade! (I have a new found soft spot for the Russian Bears, being a North Sydney Bears fan myself)

[LeagueFan]

Rugby League eh? Sounds like a great sport.

OZeight email me on : albion96@email.com or visit my website http://www.ProtectLeague.com.

I like your taste in sports.

Russian Rugby League -> http://www.rrl.ru

[moskvichka]

We have 2 teams in Moscow - Patriots and Russian Bears. Also Russia is a chempion of Europe on this kind of sport. But its NOT popular, almost noone knows about it.

and why does noone play russian hockey? It s very cool game - and its popular on the north of Russia, we are insisting on including it in Winter Olimpic games for many years - but in vain.....