Okay, Let's Talk Football

Football thoughts while wondering what is really in a Taco Bell Bean Burrito.

-I have been asked to elaborate on why I find the NFL boring.  It comes down to a perceived level of effort.

I love college football because the story of the hungry young man trying to achieve the next level is much more intriguing than the perceived millionaire trying to slug his way to the next million.  The play on the field shows it.  The all out effort on every play, hoping to get the NFL dream, makes the play much more exciting than watching Peyton Manning (or maybe Tom Brady today) carve up a group of professionals.

I am not denigrating Manning (or Brady's) skills.  The speed of decision making, the professional's knowledge gained from endless hours of preparation, and the physical skill to deliver the ball where it needs to be is highly respected.  Respect is different than love.  Love is an emotion that becomes a choice, and, at one time, especially when I was young and my feelings were in control, I loved the NFL.  As I spent time around the game, watching it closely, and trying to emulate it, I learned to respect what they do.   It gets to be a bit clinical, an interesting choice of words from someone who works in the medical field.

Clinical generally means boring.  I work around doctors of all specialties on a daily basis.  While the medical profession is noble, it is generally tries to avoid excitement.  An unusual radiology case can turn a computer into a Radiologists Convention.  I have seen surgeons almost t
The difference of someone playing all out and someone playing 90% is painfully clear at the college level, less obvious at the NFL level.  The NFL spends millions of dollars to find the players who will put 100% effort instead of 90% on every play.  They will spend millions on freakish athlete who gives 75% hoping something will inspire them to play at 100%. Do the words Ryan Leaf or Brian Bosworth mean anything to you?

The NFL has taken a PR beating lately for how their players behave off the field.  Maybe we need to find the people who give 100% effort all the time instead of freakish athletes in the game for the money.  The character required to give 100% effort all the time shows in the important areas: home, family, behavior, and respect.  The play on the field might look different, but not that much.  Character counts.

-College football playoff rankings caused a stir upon their release.  I really don't care just yet.  It will only matter on the final announcement and the playing of the actual games.  It will generate huge amounts of interest and, the NCAA hopes, cash.  After all, the players aren't getting any of it.

So...am I off base?