The Footlong Ball, and Different Myths About American Soccer

With its hundreds of thousands of followers and tons of of billions of annual income, American soccer – or just “soccer”, as it’s referred to as in North America – is the second most beneficial sport on the planet. And it’s most likely the flashiest, particularly originally of the 12 months, when the Tremendous Bowl – the ultimate recreation of the season that decides which workforce takes house the Vince Lombardi Trophy. So, between ready for the Large Recreation and keeping track of the Tremendous Bowl 57 Odds, right here are some things you most likely thought had been true about American soccer – however they don’t seem to be.

Fable 1: The footlong ball

One of many arguments Europeans have towards the identify “soccer” used for gridiron soccer is that the gamers barely ever contact the ball with their toes. And they’re proper: aside from a number of particular circumstances, the gamers run with the ball of their hand.

One of many explanations for this unusual alternative of identify has come from an unknown supply, stating that it’s referred to as “soccer” as a result of the ball is one foot lengthy. However this isn’t true: there are 12 inches in a foot, whereas the ball is simply 11 to 11.25 inches lengthy.

As an alternative, it’s extra doubtless that the identify got here from the truth that it’s a ball recreation performed standing – as in on foot. Similar to affiliation soccer, Aussie guidelines soccer, Canadian soccer, and Rugby soccer, for that matter.

Fable 2: No one exterior the US performs American soccer

Whereas gridiron soccer is by far not the preferred sport exterior of North America, saying it’s not performed abroad is just not true. And we’re not speaking about Canadian soccer both. 

Some European international locations have fairly robust American soccer leagues – they also have a pan-European league referred to as the “European League of Soccer” (ELF) with groups from a number of international locations, together with Germany, Poland, and France taking part in it. It even has its personal “bowl” – the ELF Bowl.

By the best way, Germany is probably the most potent American Soccer nation in Europe, with its personal “German Bowl” which has been held since 1979.

Fable 3: All American soccer gamers are millionaires

Whereas there are lots of NFL gamers who pocket hundreds of thousands every year, that is by far not the final rule for the game. Like in soccer, there are a number of superstars with superb salaries, whereas the opposite gamers make much less – usually a lot much less. Whereas the minimal wage of a rookie NFL participant is far greater than the typical American wage – a tad over $435,000 versus round $55,000 a 12 months -, saying that each one NFL gamers are millionaires is nothing however a fable.

Quite the opposite: a statistic by Sports activities Illustrated has proven that greater than half of all former NFL gamers go broke inside 5 years of retiring. 

Remaining phrases

The Tremendous Bowl 57 is upon us, as soon as once more with all the most effective American soccer groups and Rihanna returning to the stage. Which workforce do you suppose will win the NFL Championship remaining?