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ORIGINAL: NorthernGent
the style of English football is a reflection of how we see ourselves - committed, loyal, fair - these are the traits we value, so providing these traits are exhibited in the match, we will be entertained. It's well documented that while the continental Europeans prefer to see flair, we prefer commitment.

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ORIGINAL: SugarMyChurro

Playing sports I can understand. I have participated in many such activities throughout my entire life. It's a great way to relieve stress, get some exercise and often to enjoy some competitive fun.

But watching almost any sport bores me to tears. I don't understand the desire to watch sports at all.

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ORIGINAL: NorthernGent

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ORIGINAL: DomKen

We already have all that without soccer. I proudly watch my beloved Chicago Cubs year in and year out even though it's been a full century since they won the championship. And I get to do it at Wrigley Field which may be the best place in the whole world to spend a few hours with your clothes on.

Football will never in a million years take off in the United States.

In the same way, Gridiron will never make any inroads into our sporting psyche. It's just not us; not who what we are as a people.

The cheerleaders, the stoppages, the helmets etc are simply not what we want to see in a sport. There's a quote from a famous English football manager responding to a journalist which sums it up quite nicely, "if you want to be entertained, go to the fuckin' circus". Similarly, if you want women dancing around like divs, go to a lap dancing bar. In this country, it's a case of just get on the pitch and give it everything you have - no extras are required.

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ORIGINAL: spinninsweetness

Also what's a Brit? I keep seeing this one.... would the US equivelent be an Unite? Eh? I'm English, Brit annoys me.

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I would fall asleep if you put it on the tv in front of me

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ORIGINAL: RealityLicks

I totally agree but not simply to make a narrow jingoistic point about winning an individual game.  Football is by quite a long margin the world's most popular sport. You don't need much equipment, or the ability to speak the opposing team's language to play them.  Someone said that the Italians regard football as high art and opera as popular culture and I often think its a type of snobbery which prevents people from seeing that sport, like the arts and sciences is an integral part of any culture and so potentially central to making peaceful accomodations with each other.