NFL in Olympics

[J24]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d...come-a-reality

[SunsetBengal]

I'm 43, if it happened during my lifetime, I'd be suprised.

[J24]

Originally Posted by SunsetBengal

I'm 43, if it happened during my lifetime, I'd be suprised.

prepared to be surprised. Not NFL players though.

[SunsetBengal]

Originally Posted by J24

prepared to be surprised. Not NFL players though.

Well, from what I read in the article, the chances are unlikely.

[ibengals]

Not enough worldwide interest yet. Maybe someday though.

[bishopbengals]

I don't see it happening. I doubt that many countries could even field a team.

[Arturo Bandini]

I don't see it coming.

Rugby first.

[Patrick D from 83]

I can't see any way how an NFL team would be ok with letting its top players compete in the Olympics. Basketball is one thing, a lot less physical with less risk of injury, but football? This wouldn't be like the Pro Bowl where guys aren't going full force and just jackin around. This would be for a gold medal, they'd be going all out.

Imagine AJ Green being at the top of his NFL game in 4 years, his prime, and he plays for Team USA at the olympics and blows his knee out over the middle. Disaster.

I'm surprised NHL players are even allowed in right now since injury risk in hockey is probably 2nd to only the NFL in major North American pro sports. The owners fight it, but the players fight for it. I imagine it'd be similar in the NFL, probably worse.

[CKWI88]

lol.... football in the olympics...



Maybe someday....i would be very suprised.

[SunsetBengal]

Originally Posted by CKWI88

lol.... football in the olympics...



Maybe someday....i would be very suprised.

Yep, not in our lifetimes.

[hollodero]

I don't know... after all, there already are World Championships (the last one was held in my country). The US didn't send any players with NFL experience (as far as I know - although the organizers wanted Favre...), by the way. Still, their victory was, of course, out of the question.

- But several other nations (including my small one) know about the game and could field an (amateur) team fighting for silver and bronze. It might just happen.

[junglester]

I don't see NFL in the Olympics. Soccer, basketball, etc. are more international. Also, the games only last 2 weeks. Fielding a team with this much contact in that short of time is really impossible. It is possible Europe will add teams to the NFL in my lifetime.

[CKWI88]

Originally Posted by junglester

I don't see NFL in the Olympics. Soccer, basketball, etc. are more international. Also, the games only last 2 weeks. Fielding a team with this much contact in that short of time is really impossible. It is possible Europe will add teams to the NFL in my lifetime.

Not to mention cheaper. I think that's what is holding football back in a lot of places. Soccer is pretty simple. Ball, goals. paint for lines. Voila.

Football.....not so much.

I think there is a chance it wins over a few countries. I live in the state in Brazil with the most American Football teams. I've gone to a game, there was a small crowd, maybe even 100. It will take a very long time though.

[WhoDeyLeisure]

The "NFL" will never be a sport. Even if football was in the Olympics, it wouldn't be the NFL.

Also, I doubt it ever is an Olympic sport. How many countries could field a team....besides USA and Canada.

[Jaydeebee UK]

Originally Posted by WhoDeyLeisure

The "NFL" will never be a sport. Even if football was in the Olympics, it wouldn't be the NFL.

Also, I doubt it ever is an Olympic sport. How many countries could field a team....besides USA and Canada.

I agree it wont ever be an olympic sport but plenty of countries could field a team, just it wouldnt even be a contest.

I currently play for my University in Britain, the standard is poor compared to nearly anything in the US though.

Whilst i had watched the NFL and knew in the in ands outs, last year I went from never having put on a helmet to starting at guard in about a month.

Alot of players come to Uni having no real knowledge of Football and decide to give it a try.

But we do have a national team and I'm coached by two of its members at the moment.

[hollodero]

Originally Posted by WhoDeyLeisure

Also, I doubt it ever is an Olympic sport. How many countries could field a team....besides USA and Canada.

Mexico, Japan, France, Germany, Austria, Australia... and probably the UK, Sweden, Finland, Italy as well... Russia... there would be plenty.

[whodey21]

Originally Posted by hollodero

Mexico, Japan, France, Germany, Austria, Australia... and probably the UK, Sweden, Finland, Italy as well... Russia... there would be plenty.

Australia
Austria
Canada
Finland
France
Germany
Italy
Japan
Mexico
South Korea
Sweden
USA

... All already have teams.

There already is a world competition, and it's increasing in popularity. The only obstacle I see is the neccessary recovery period. You can't play a football game every other day.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IFAF_World_Championship

[Jaydeebee UK]

I think American Samoa would have a decent chance probably better then Canada

DE - Fanane
DT - Peko
DT - Toeina ?

LB - Maualuga
LB - Tatupu
LB - Maiva

SS - Polamalu

Mike Iupati

Tonga as well

Haloti Ngata
the Keatmeatou brothers Mike and Chris
Fui Vakapuna

plus the dozens more that i havent named and those playing in college

[bishopbengals]

The problem is that it would be completely one sided. Who would be the quarterback for most teams that could match our American qbs?

[Patrick D from 83]

Originally Posted by Jaydeebee UK

I think American Samoa would have a decent chance probably better then Canada

DE - Fanane
DT - Peko
DT - Toeina ?

LB - Maualuga
LB - Tatupu
LB - Maiva

SS - Polamalu

Mike Iupati

Tonga as well

Haloti Ngata
the Keatmeatou brothers Mike and Chris
Fui Vakapuna

plus the dozens more that i havent named and those playing in college

Without even looking the rest up I know for a fact Polamalu and Maualuga were born and raised in the US. Simply being of American Samoan descent doesn't mean you could be on their Olympic team. That would have been like saying Kristi Yamaguchi should have been on Team Japan instead of the US bc she was of Japanese heritage.

[hollodero]

Originally Posted by bishopbengals

The problem is that it would be completely one sided. Who would be the quarterback for most teams that could match our American qbs?

Well, that applies to all positions. (Except maybe kicker.)

- Still, that fact alone should not be decisive whether football belongs to the olympics or not. Maybe they should restrict the teams to amateurs and keep the NFL or College Pros out. (- Of course the US would still win then.)