As an Australian I owe no alliegance to any American Football side. However I AM an almost-rabid sports fan and follow countless numbr of sports. I do enjoy watching the American Football (or gridiron as it’s called Down Under) highlights packages weekly and even an occasional game on cable.
There are one or two sides I enjoy watching because of their styles but I can’t say I’m actually a fan of any one side.
So this is your chance to convince me. Why should I support your team?
Football is okay, but the teams just have no identity anymore. The Raiders are trying to be nice, Marino, Elway, and Montana are long gone.However since you are looking for sports teams, and as an Australian it is possible you are currently lacking a Hockey team. Allow me to take this moment to point you on the path to righteousness,** The Red Wings.**
The Canadian teams are pointless, we just allow them to keep a few so the don’t swarm over the border with their goalie sticks and horses. The Southern teams don’t count either, since by definition, real hockey cannot be played in California, Texas, Florida, Arizona or Carolina. That leaves only a few real teams. Now I know the Black Hawks are tempting 'cause of Bobby Hull, and the Bruins look good with the history of Orr and Borque.
But the Wings are the correct answer. The most complete player in history, (Mr. Elbows could still kick Gretzky’s ass in a fight today), the best line in History(the Production line, 1-2-3 in scoring a couple years) a long time legacy of winning (original 6 team with cups in many decades), and the classiest player in the history of sport currently on their team(Yzerman).
Thanks for the thoughts Wolfman but I already support hocky (we have to call it Ice Hockey down here so as not to cause confusion with field hockey which is just plain hockey). I became a huge fan after seeing a live game in Germany of all places in 1991 and last year made a point of seeing as many hockey games a s I could as I wandered through the US and Canada. Even caught a play-off game - though it cost me. Love that sport. It’s as graceful as ballet and almost as rough as Aussie Rules.
Well it was worth a try. Now for my second attempt to subvert your original post. American College football.
Michigan Wolverines.(you didn’t technically say professional football.) Undefeated from 1901-1905, high on the all-time win list, three Heisman trophies, Numerous championships, and they destroyed Stanford so bad in the original Rose Bowl that it got canceled for 20 years.
Plus College football has so many more games to watch each week.
College football is less pure than the NFL. The joke about Eric Dickerson leaving the Rams because he wanted to make as much cash as he had playing at Southern Methodist University is right on the money. The NFL deals in huge gobs of money but at least they don’t try to hide it. College football teams are run by hypocritical cheaters.
I recommend the Detroit Lions.
It’s a storied franchise that is finally returning to the top. Just last Sunday they beat manny peoples pick for the Super Bowl, the Washington $kins.
The Lions? Um… I’d show him a team that actually stands a chance, but the two that are near me are New Orleans (major league losers) and the Atlanta Falcons (too erratic).
Unfortunately, I have no idea what gets broadcast overseas, but I’d definetly recommend only one conference for your wild football needs. The Southeastern Conference. (SEC)
Recall in the early 90’s? Alabama met with the wildly overhyped Miami Hurricanes for the overtitle. #1 vs #2. Before the current collusion. Miami comes in wildly praised, massively hyped and the focus of every camera. Alabama comes in (having barely beat Mississippi State, IIRC), underdogs to the max. That is, until the game actually starts.
Alabama went for the jugular, and didn’t let go. Miami’s offense got trashed, the defense looked like long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs, and lets not talk about their kicking game. Oh, the crowd? Silent. Dead Calm. There were like only 2500 Alabama fans, all crowded in one corner. They were rocking. The New Orleans Superdome holds about 67k. It was a packed house that watched Alabama pulverize Miami.
I could recall the time Notre Dame came down and played Tennesee, and left without their #1 ranking and a +1 to the loss column. There are more, but I’ll just say this. The SEC may not have the best teams all the time, but we will fight to the death.
College football is more fun.
Who cares about some multimillionare players who routinely whine about not getting paid enough to multibillionare owners? When cities are routinely expected to shell out hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes and tax breaks to host a pro football team that may suck?
Three words for you:
The Denver Broncos.
Of course, they were more exciting with Elway, and who can forget the whole drama with Coach Reeves? However, they are still an exciting team.
Anyone who knows me knows that I think the only viable choice is the Baltimore Ravens. Try watching this Sunday night’s game and see. The trouble is, I can’t compete with Falcons offer. Hell, I’d root for the Deadskins to snuggle with Falc!
