The average sized lineman in the NFL is about 6 feet 4 inches tall (in metric, you've got me I don't know the conversion off the cuff, live with it) and weighs in between 280 and 375 lbs. (once again, I can't convert that right now). These huge men would dwarf just about any and all other athletes worldwide. Instinctively you'd think that they were slow, lumbering slobs who'd be better suited pulling a wagon or crawling into a cave for hibernation. Truth be told though, these behemoth sized men run like the wind. A 40 yard sprint in 4.7 or 4.8 seconds. I'm a fairly fleet footed soccer player, 6 feet 1 inches tall and I weigh in around 185 lbs. I run a 4.8 second 40 yard dash! So it becomes a physics equation that draws our attention to the game. P = M * V Momentum equals Mass times Velocity. NFL (American) Football is our most barbaric mentality manifesting itself on the field. Without that 'body armor' as you put it, these fellas would utterly obliterate each other. In rugby usually you don't see too many size mismatches. A fly wing (I think that's right) hardly ever has to deal with the inside guys who are HUGE. In football, you see a 180 lbs. Quarterback get hit by a 350 lbs. linemen all the time!

And beyond the violence, you have the pure speed demons. Guys like the Wide Receivers and Running Backs and Defensive Backs. Guys who run that same 40 yard sprint in 4.1 or 4.2 seconds. That is FLYING!

Also - I think Americans see Football as a mini war every weekend. The 'battle' between Oakland and Tampa Bay. We want to see how the linemen fair in the 'trenches'. A deep pass is called throwing the 'bomb'. 'Offense' and 'Defense'. Tampa Bay doesn't have much of a 'Ground Assault' and Oaklands 'Air Attack' is devastating. I mean, we are Americans afterall....we love our wars! *grin*

The Seeker Of Truth

"In days of old, when Knights were bold, and Toilets weren't invented. You left your load, upon the road...and walked away contented."