100 Reasons the NFL Is the King of American Sports

With apologies to our national pastime, the National Football League is the top sports entity in America today.

Attendance and television ratings prove that there's no league that comes close to competing with it.

But why does the NFL sit atop the throne of our country's sports landscape? Let us count the ways...at least up to 100.

Parity

Every year, a team once believed to be a bottom-feeder is at the top of the food chain, while a supposed contender for the Super Bowl crumbles to mediocrity.

Parity is what keeps each team's fans hopeful.

Offensive Boom

Rule changes in 1978 gave more freedoms to the players on offense.

With more offense comes more appeal from the general public. Ask most fans, they'd rather see a offensive shootout than a defensive struggle.

Pregame Shows

Before planting their seat on the couch to watch nine hours of football on Sunday, fans will tune in an hour earlier to catch pregame shows on FOX, CBS, ESPN or NFL Network.

Amazingly, these get better ratings than most actual games played in baseball or basketball.

Tailgating

Forget getting geared up one hour prior to kickoff. Most who attend the games eat, drink and mingle in the parking lot—creating an event-like atmosphere just outside the stadium.

NFL Films

Founded by Ed Sabol in 1962 and later run by his son Steve (pictured), NFL Films has combined fascinating images, classic orchestral music and the famous voice of John Facenda to give pro football a thematic element that can't be found in any other sport.

Red Grange

"The Galloping Ghost" was the first player to bring pro football into the national spotlight.

Just hours after playing his last game at the University of Illinois in 1925, Grange signed with the Chicago Bears and immediately drew the largest crowds the NFL had ever seen, including 70,000 at the Polo Grounds for a game against the New York Giants.

George Halas

One of the pioneering figures of the NFL, Halas was a player, coach and owner with the Chicago Bears.

The "Papa Bear" was also an innovator. He was the first to analyze opposing teams on film and the first to place assistant coaches in the press box.

Lore

Moments such as "The Ice Bowl," "The Catch" and, most recently, David Tyree's helmet grab in Super Bowl XLII are frozen forever in every football fan's memory.

Expansion

The NFL's incredible growth over the years has led to new teams popping up in new cities (Jacksonville, Charlotte) and revivals in areas that previously had a franchise (Houston, Baltimore, Cleveland).

Thanksgiving

Besides the obvious family feast, Thanksgiving is also greatly associated with football. It's not a full holiday unless you get to watch the Lions and Cowboys play their home games.

Other Traditions

This list covers many of the NFL's top traditions. But there are others that have been left out, including Pittsburgh's "Terrible Towel" and Oakland's "Black Hole."

Pete Rozelle

In the early 1960s, the NFL's 13 franchises were unified by Rozelle, the league's commissioner for nearly 30 years until his retirement in 1989.

Rozelle is credited with negotiating for large television contracts to broadcast every NFL game and to create revenue-sharing.

From there, the NFL became a national phenomenon and put a sharper focus on those who played it.

Monday Night Football

Football on a Monday?

Many in the television industry thought this was an idea doomed to failure except for ABC Sports producer Roone Arledge, who brought the league to his network for the weekly prime-time game beginning in 1970.

What Arledge created was a TV spectacle and suddenly the idea of having sports being broadcast live in the evening didn't seem like such a disastrous venture.

Instant Replay

The institution of instant replay was ideal for football, as it gave viewers a chance to watch in slow motion what just happened on the field again in-between plays.

Today, it's utilized to make sure that the calls made by the referees are correct.

Fashion

From Eric Dickerson's goggles to Troy Polamalu's hair, fashion trends in the NFL are hard to ignore.

Projections

So, who outside of the Bay Area had the 49ers making the playoffs this year? How many thought the Eagles would be in last place?

We can all make predictions on how the season will turn out, but we're never completely right.

Cheerleaders

For when the action on the field doesn't have your interest, they sure will.

Fight Songs

"Hail to the Redskins" and "Bear Down, Chicago Bears" are classic football songs that nearly every fan (regardless of the team they root for) can either recite the words or hum the tune.

Chants

"J-E-T-S..." is not just a way of Gang Green's fans proving they can spell, it's a way of showing unity and support for their beloved football team.

Goal Line Stands

A defense can gain a lot of momentum with a critical stuff near their end zone. Conversely, an offense can be set back when they fall just inches short of pay dirt.

Kickoff

A week's worth of anticipation is culminated with the opening kick.

Marching Bands

Bands in Washington, Baltimore and Chicago bring about a collegiate atmosphere to the professional level and are a welcome aversion from the modern music that consistently blares through the loud speakers.

Training Camp

Only in the NFL will we brave the heat of July and August and pay money to go out and watch our teams practice.

Nationwide Appeal

Green Bay and Pittsburgh aren't at the top of the U.S. markets, but the Packers and Steelers have fans in all regions of the country.

And even in cities where the NFL isn't close by, it still draws great attention.

Joe Namath

The former New York Jets quarterback became the first great commercial athlete out of pro football.

With his rebellious personality and powerful right arm, "Broadway Joe" was a national celebrity. Namath made many bold statements...none bigger than the one uttered at a banquet prior to Super Bowl III

Super Bowl III

Namath guaranteed victory for his Jets, representing the supposedly weaker American Football League, against the mighty Baltimore Colts of the NFL.

New York went into the game as 18-point underdogs, but game MVP Namath helped engineer one of the biggest upsets of all-time with a 16-7 victory.

AFL-NFL Merger

A 10-year war between the AFL and NFL came to a head when the two officially merged in 1970 to create one entity.

Professional football has never been the same since.

Trick Plays

Almost every time it happens, you're caught by surprise. And usually the opposing defense is too. 

Fantasy Football

Anyone that has dreamed of being a general manager can now do it...sort of.

The ability create your own team of players and root for their well-being gives fans a reason to pay attention to each game.

NFL Sunday Ticket

When Directv made it possible to watch every game on Sunday, it was Christmas for football fans.

NFL RedZone

Now you say there is one channel that transitions from each game at their key moments?

This is heaven on television.

Games in the Snow

Similar to the postman's creed, neither snow nor rain nor cold will keep these pro footballers away from their appointed games.

Games in Cold Weather

Sub-zero temperatures would keep the average folk locked in their homes with the fireplace on. In the NFL, it's football weather.

Games in the Rain

In baseball or golf, their games would be washed out.

These soaking wet games pose an additional challenge for the players on the field.

Eye Candy (for Women)

The NFL is an equal opportunity showcase of good looks. There's a reason why the girls wanted to date the star quarterback in high school.

Civic Pride

If there's any doubt that a football team can uplift a city, just recall back to the Saints' revival of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.

Civic Loss

Just as a team can strengthen a city's patrons with its presence, it can break their hearts by departing.

The two classic examples are the Colts parting ways with Baltimore overnight in the Mayflower moving truck in 1984 and then the Browns bolting Cleveland (for Baltimore) in 1995.

Upsets

If all the games were played on paper, we'd never see any shocking results like the Jets over the Colts in Super Bowl III or the Giants denying a perfect Pats season 39 years later.

NFL Draft

April's annual collegiate player draft has become the biggest event of the offseason and gives each team a cause for optimism heading into next season.

More recently, it's popularity has caused a move to prime-time television.

Fourth Down

This means do-or-die for the offense. A drive can either be extended or halted with one play. More often than not, fourth down situations occur when a team is desperate to come back.

Charitable Efforts

It's only proper that millionaire athletes fortunate enough to be in professional football should be able to give back to those who are far less privileged.

Rivalries

Every major sport has them. Football has been blessed with long-standing rivalries between the Redskins and Cowboys as well as the Bears and Packers.

But what's most special and intriguing are the brief, but heated collisions. The Eagles and Cowboys nearly came to blows in the late 1980s, while the Ravens and Steelers provide two bone-crunching contests each season.

Off-the-Field Feuds

Most feuds that occur beyond the gridiron are caused by trash talking. These words of venom are bulletin board material for teams and headline stories for the media, providing added buildup for the upcoming weekend.

Individual Match-Ups

In a game that pits two teams, it's sometimes the battles between two individuals (wide receiver vs. cornerback, offensive lineman vs. defensive lineman) that are just as compelling.

Super Bowl Parties

Americans plan their entire Super Bowl Sunday around the big game...and that includes the party.

Millions watch the annual NFL championship, with many gathered together amidst a large spread of food and drinks.

Betting

No league generates more betting than does the NFL. It gives reason for people to have a vested interest in a game that, without money involved, would be otherwise be meaningless.

Free Agency

It's hard to believe that free agency in the NFL is less than 20 years old, but it's impact has been sweeping.

With players now having the option to sign with whichever team they choose, it helps create more turnover in the game's competitive balance.

These signings, though they may look good at first, sometimes put a club into financial Hell (see picture).

Endorsements

One would be hard-pressed to go a day without seeing an NFL player in a commercial or featured on a product.

For a game in which they wear helmets and face masks, the stars of the sport are easily recognizable.

Personal Seat Licenses

In what other sport would someone pay money to have the right to buy season tickets?

The fact that fans are itching to have them shows its worth burning a hole in the wallet.

Super Bowl Halftime

A little something for those watching the Super Bowl that couldn't tell a pigskin from a potato skin, the halftime show proves that the NFL's biggest game is as much entertainment as it is an athletic contest.

New Stadiums

The pristine palaces that have been built in recent years provide fans with amenities such as clear sightlines as well as high definition jumbotrons. Just don't look at the price on the ticket.

Classic Stadiums

There are fewer and fewer of these still around...let's hope these historical venues that have housed many classic moments don't become fully extinct.

Terminology

Some words that originated from the game of football are used in our day-to-day language, such as "Monday morning quarterback" and "huddle up."

Additionally, it's through the NFL that the average observer knows what a shotgun formation and an illegal procedure is.

Team Comebacks

Baseball legend Yogi Berra's sage advice of, "it 'ain't over 'til it's over" holds true in the game of football, most notably in Buffalo's 32-point comeback against Houston in a 1992 AFC Wild Card game.

Player Comebacks

A player returning to the field from an injury is compelling and heart-warming.

A player returning to the field from off-the-field issues (i.e. Michael Vick) is certainly compelling. It turns that individual into a polarizing figure and makes for a great story nonetheless.

Cinderella Stories

Observes of the game can't help but endear themselves to teams or players that come from anonymity and vault into the national spotlight. 

Exhibit A: Kurt Warner going from a grocery store clerk to the Arena Football league to a Super Bowl Champion.

No-Huddle Offense

Some teams use it as a strategic ploy. Some teams use it out of desperation. Either way, it's fun to watch.

2-Minute Drill

The no-huddle offense is most used in the waning moments when a team is desperate to mount a comeback.

The game's final moments are when the great ones emerge. Joe Montana, John Elway, Roger Staubach and Tom Brady have made numerous late-game heroics in crunch time.

Hail Mary

When worse comes to worse, the quarterback will throw up a prayer and hope it's answered.

Many times, the Hail Mary fails. But for the few times that it works, it can be one of the most exciting plays in football.

Onside Kick

Another play, usually out of desperation, that can be thrilling if it works.

The surprise onside is the most entertaining of all. Never was it done more to perfection than when the New Orleans Saints used it to start the second half in Super Bowl XLIV.

Kick/Punt Returns

Some of the best athletes on the field are those that return punts and kicks.

Get them in the open field, and it may be impossible to chase them down.

Touchdown Celebrations

If the playing field is the stage, the players are the performers and the touchdown celebrations are the performances.

This showmanship and creativity from the likes of Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, Deion Sanders and Terrell Owens provides tremendous entertainment value.

Throwback Uniforms

You can never have enough throwback uniform games.

For better or worse, they bring back a little bit of the NFL's past.

Uniform Changes

The fancy new duds that teams bring out creates a minor stir and also generates an uptick in merchandise sales.

Thankfully, some clubs (Bills, Jets) have moved forward by donning unis akin to their past.

Controversial Calls

A questionable call by a referee, depending on its magnitude, can become fodder for media and fans alike.

Some, such as "The Tuck Rule" and the "Immaculate Reception," can take on a life of its own.

1958 NFL Championship

This meeting for the league title between the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants captivated the large audience watching on television.

Tied at 17 after regulation, the NFL made its first venture into sudden-death overtime.

Hollywood

Major motion pictures such as Jerry Maguire, Paper Lion, Heaven Can Wait, and Brian's Song have brought the NFL to the silver screen and are movies that don't just appeal to sports fans.

Al Davis

A true maverick, Al Davis was the face of the Raiders for nearly 50 years. He consistently went against establishment, most notably in his moving the team from Oakland to Los Angeles.

The late owner leaves behind a legacy of thee Super Bowl championships and a unique history unlike any other team in professional sports.

Paul Brown

Brown, the father of the modern offense, led the Cleveland Browns to multiple league championships.

He was the first coach to use a radio transmitter to communicate with players and was the inventor of the face mask.

His intellect has been seen long after he left the sidelines, as 11 of the first 28 Super Bowls were won by head coaches who once worked under Brown—including Bill Walsh and Don Shula.

Two-Point Conversions

It may be just a simple reward, but the two-point conversion, enacted in 1994, has altered the strategic element of the game.

College Football

Getting a chance to observe the start from the collegiate ranks each Saturday is a sneak preview as to who will star on Sundays.

Dallas Cowboys

Just like the New York Yankees, the Cowboys are the most polarizing team in the league.

There's no middle ground: fans either love or loathe "America's Team."

Athleticism

From a receiver making one-handed grabs to a running back breaking multiple tackles, we are awed by plays that an ordinary observer can only dream to make.

Bloopers

At the same time, it's also quite amusing when these seemingly God-like figures are humbled when they succumb to pratfalls.

Violence

The league can try to limit it all it wants, but violence will forever be present in this collision sport.

The men who play pro football, especially in the early years, were compared to gladiators. Even today, players risk severe injury to make a catch, run or tackle. This hazardous element appeals to the masses.

Madden Video Game

The annual Madden NFL video game series, thanks to graphic improvements, has emerged into a virtual portrayal of the real thing.

It's popularity has grown tremendously, as well. Madden is consistently a best-seller, with fans and players eagerly waiting each new edition.

NFL Combine

I've yet to see future baseball draftees run the 40-yard dash live on TV for all the Major League teams.

The NFL Combine attracts more scouts and media than your average tryout.

NFL Network

There can never be too much of the NFL on television, and the NFL Network is direct proof of that.

Since its inception in 2003, it has broadcasted the NFL Combine, the NFL Draft, prime-time regular season games and spawned the Red Zone channel.

Historical Debates

Who's the greatest quarterback of all-time? What's the best Super Bowl? Tom Brady or Peyton Manning?

These are topics in which opinions will vary and the debates will range on for years to come.

Broadcasters

Those who explain what's occurring on the field is almost as important as those who play.

Howard Cosell and John Madden became nationally-known for what they said in the booth.

Personalities

Both Cosell and Madden fall into this category as well.

Players and coaches are no less colorful.

Nicknames

Nicknames can be applied to players: "White Shoes," "Crazy Legs," "Night Train."

Notable teams also become recognized for their catchy names: "Fearsome Foursome," "Orange Crush," "Monsters of the Midway."

Quarterback Controversies

The backup quarterback is every fan's favorite when the starter is not performing up to par. And this can create tireless debates on who is more worthy to be the main man taking snaps behind center.

Patriotism

The NFL, like other sports organizations, can be a great diversion of rigors and troubles in our country.

Identity

When San Francisco prevails, Niner fans boast that "we" won—even though he or she never had an effect on the outcome.

Fans also take immense pride when their favorite is going strong.

Apparel

Hats, jerseys, t-shirts, jackets, flags, etc.

Everywhere you look, there are those selling and those wearing the colors of an NFL team.

Crazy Fans

To what length would a person paint their face (or chest) with the colors of their favorite team?

For the NFL, that's what.

Fan Sections

Take a look at the "Dawg Pound" in Cleveland or the "Black Hole" in Oakland. You'll certainly find many fans that have a bit too much spirit.

Lack of Small Market

Green Bay is the league's greatest winner. Pittsburgh has six Super Bowls. Buffalo reached four Super Bowls in a row.

No NFL city is at a disadvantage purely due to location.

Key Injuries

Ailments to prominent players can significantly alter the course of the season. We saw it in 2008 with Tom Brady's season-ending knee injury. We're seeing it again as the Peyton Manning-less Colts are winless in 2011.

Overtime

There are certainly detractors, but overtime is unique in the NFL because (like hockey) a game can end with just one play.

Blitzing

This has its obvious risks and rewards. If properly executed, the defense can smother the quarterback before he gets rid of the football. On the other hand, it leaves less defenders out to stop the receivers should the QB find a pass catcher in time.

The Bomb

The offensive equivalent of the blitz is the deep pass. And, like an all-out rush, it will always bring fans to their feet.

Pick Six

It's the ultimate turnaround and can devastate those who are victimized. An offense can go from being poised to putting points on their side of the scoreboard to having given up an interception that was taken back the other way to pay dirt.

First-and-10 Line

As subtle as it may be, putting the yellow line at the point of the first down gave viewers a better indication to how far the offense needs to go.

I get so used to it that expect it to show up when attending a game in-person.

High Definition

Further evidence as to why it's just as good to watch the game in your home than it is at the stadium.

Limited Regular Season

Baseball has 162 regular season games. The NBA and NHL have 82. Each has way too many.

The NFL's got it just right with 16, as each game holds importance.

Playoffs

While each regular season game is critical, that's multiplied significantly at playoff time.

The NFL has a fantastic postseason structure along with the one-and-done drama of each contest.

If only major college football could do it like this...

Lamar Hunt

One of the founders of the AFL, Hunt owned the Kansas City Chiefs from their start in Dallas (called the Texans) until his death in 2006.

He also was the man who gave the official title to what was at first called the AFL-NFL Championship Game when it debuted in 1967.

The Super Bowl

Like the NFL, we saved the best for last.

It's hard to believe the creators this game could have imagined that pro football's championship would turn into what it is today.

The Super Bowl, the grandest stage in all sports, has produced 21 of the 45 highest-rated programs in U.S. television history and has made this annual event an unofficial American holiday.