Football v. Basketball 5

Basketball is a great game. Truly an American invention we can be proud of. . .but-

Football is king. Chess with beer, violence, steriods. . .throw in bad weather during the holidays and you have a great sport tailored for our calendar from Labor Day to late Jan. (that's when you can start thinking about Valentine's Day)

There's speed, strategy, and thrills. . .great players, heroes, and villains. . .

Much of the American ethos and philosophy is found in baseball- but football does represent much of America. We like our violence compartmentalized. . .we (usually) like rewarding hard work (contracts aren't guaranteed thus players do have to work hard) we like those who care about the team without sacrificing much of their personal ambition.

Most foreigners I know can't stand the game - a handful (very few) give it a shot and love the game and swear it teaches them a little about their new culture around them. Good and bad. . .