Quote:
Originally Posted by Oswald
Here's a question about American sport.
Why does the NFL only have a very short regular season (September to December), when all the other American sports such as MLB, NHL and NBA have a season which goes on for many many months?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dasein
I think it is because of the physical toll of such a violent sport.
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I believe it was former NFL great Mike Ditka who said, "Professional football isn't a contact sport, it's a
collision sport. Ballroom dancing is a contact sport." Sounds like something he would say, and very accurate too. Given the size, strength, and speed of the modern-day player, the many months of violent hitting, in practice and during games, takes its' toll on the body, and a lengthy off-season is well deserved. The off-season isn't as long as you might think, though. Most pro teams start working during the first week of May. One team, the Chicago Bears, had their first mini-camp on March 16th, a mere 78 days after the previous season ended. So, using May to January, the pro's are going at it for 8 months plus.
http://moondogsports.com/2009/05/01/...amp-schedules/
http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2...-chicago-mar15