Football. The meaning of the sport changes completely, depending on which side of the pond you call home. One of these two sports isn’t even called “football,” if you’re stateside. European football is affectionately called “soccer” here in the states, but the term was actually first used by the British. Rugby was often referred to as “Rugger,” and the term “Association Football” was also eventually familiarized as “soccer.” Many historians agree that the term “soccer” was first used by an Oxford student in the 19th century.
In the U.S., football often implies large men wearing bulky pads and tackling each other. In Europe, we’re talking about fast guys using only their feet to get the ball into the goal. As Jason Sudeikis said best, “There’s a lot of small similarities.” These two sports and their fan cultures are so vastly contrasting that it is almost humorous that they share the same name.
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NBC Sports took advantage of this cultural nuance in their latest commercial series. If you know anything about football – or fútbol – you will certainly enjoy “An American Coach in London.” The NBC Sports Network created this short film featuring Jason Sudeikis to promote their coverage of the English Premier League. Sudeikis portrays an American football coach who has been hired as a coach for a European football team. Share this video with anyone you know who’s a fan of American, or European football. It’s a guaranteed good laugh. As we’ve now learned: “It’s football. Just not as we know it.”
Check out this football farce here:
By
Carin Thumm
Love this! I’m a huge futball fan and I was excited that NBC started coverage of the English Premier League. Viva la Soccer!