by Tyson Abaroa

Created on: March 11, 2011   Last Updated: May 19, 2011

As I prepared to write about Arena Football, I tried to research what is football. After my eyes went blurry looking at multiple online encyclopedias I was no closer to any exact definitions of Football. It was simple to find the rules and regulations to the many forms of football. There was no shortage of topics on the History of football. Statistics on European football, Rugby, Australian Football, and American “grid iron” Football are their own industry. It’s amusing that with all articles and websites there is no real definition of Football. The other sports, such as Tennis, Basketball, Baseball, Hockey, etc. are their own defined game.

The more I searched I discovered that there is no finite definition of football because it is different to everyone. There are no limits to what football is or what it can be. Football is different to Ronaldhino and Troy Polamalu. It is coached adversely by Joe Paterno and Bob Warming. The Raiders fans watch a much different game than Colo-Colo fans. While a Fullback in American Football will smash into the line of scrimmage to support the offense, a Fullback in soccer is a defensive player. Although it can’t be defined, football defines those that it touches.

Arena football has the same effect. The field is short and the teams are few in number. Most of the players are castaways from the NFL. The Coaches haven’t made it any further. We fans are the embodiment of “Blue Collar.” What appears to be a great and spacious building of mediocrity transforms into the most exhilarating environment in athletics. Even though it is football on a miniature gridiron, Arena Football makes for a much more exciting game than its larger counterpart. It is because the players and coaches were tossed out or not even considered by the NFL teams that you see more heart in the Arena than in the gigantic stadiums. The athletes are playing either with a chip on their shoulder or because they are looking for their big break, or both. This makes for risky plays, harder hits, and phenomenal catches. With the drive by the Arena players if you blink, you may just miss another touchdown. Arena ball is a game of endurance and in just one quarter of playtime, I have seen more heart, more effort, and more skill than in a whole game of NFL play.

The cost of Arena Football is also significantly lower. For the price of one NFL ticket I can buy season tickets to an Arena program. At the end of the day I feel good about an arena game, but with an NFL game I stay up all night thinking of the credit card statement that is coming. Not only is money less of an issue with me, but there will not be any lockouts because the millionaire players are disputing salaries with billionaire owners.

With the action of the game, and the wallet friendly structure, Arena Football is the most fan friendly sport in the country. Although there was a decline, Arena Football is poised to become a powerhouse again and delight fans everywhere.

  

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