December 10th, 2013: the day American football became recognised by the International Olympic Committee By GurSamuel?Dec 10 2013, 10:33pm 
Christian PetersenAfter an earlier bid for recognition failed, the International Olympic Committee today granted provisional recognition status to IFAF, the official international governing body of American football - bringing the sport a major step forward to one day becoming an Olympic event.When former Florida Gator running back Jeff Demps entered the NFL, the Bucs were one of the teams most interested in his services. Demps eventually chose to sign with New England, but was traded to Tampa Bay, together with a seventh round pick, in exchange LeGarrette Blount. Of course, what made this trade unusual was that the Bucs didn't know whether the player they were getting in the deal would even show up to training camp. As we all know, when he's not playing football, Demps likes to spend his down time representing the United States in various competitions as a track star, helping his country claim silver in the 4x100 relay at the London Olympics (though Demps didn't actually race in the final - but he did help them get there by racing in the semi-final). Demps, who appeared in two games for the Bucs before being placed on injured reserve, is not the only Olympian in the NFL; discuss thrower (and fellow countryman of mine) Lawrence Okoye decided to give the gridiron a go, signing with the 49ers, though he was placed on IR during the preseason. It is conceivable, though, that there will be other Olympians who find their way into the NFL; not only as athletes from other disciplines, as with Demps or Okoye, but players who represent their countries at the Olympics in the sport of American football. It may seem an unrealistic idea, but today it came one step closer, as the International Olympic Committee recognised , on a provisional basis, the sport's official international governing body, the International Federation of American Football. IFAF, a partner of the NFL, regulates American football federations in 64 different countries across every continent. Its most prominent member federation is USA Football, which no doubt you all will have at least heard of (thanks to those 'make sure your coach is Heads Up certified' spots on NFL Network, if nothing else), but has among its other members has federations in countries as varied as Tonga, Kuwait, Uruguay... the list goes on. It has member federations in 33 different countries in Europe alone. The most important member federation, though, is that belonging to Nigeria, which was established in 2011 (by then-Buccaneer Frank Okam, among other NFL players of Nigerian descent). Currently the lone national federation in Africa, though there are other countries across the continent playing the sport, the establishment of an African federation meant that, by having representation in each continent, American football finally met the eligibility criteria to be recognised by the IOC. The IOC responded by declining not to recognise American football back in May of this year. Undeterred, IFAF reapplied for recognition, and this time round, was granted provisional recognition - though what those provisions are is not known at this point. Without question, seeing American football in the Olympics is still a long way off - for one thing, would it be part of the Summer or Winter Olympics? Would NFL players find the pride of representing their country worth the risk to their careers, or would it be the domain of college players who weren't good enough to get an invite to training camps hoping to put up something on tape that might earn him (or her?) a shot with a team? Even basic questions - tackle or flag? - would require years of investigation before there can be any discussion on whether American football could ever be contested in the Olympics. But on December 10th, 2013, the first significant step in that direction was taken by the IOC. Jeff Demps may not be the last player we see in a Buccaneer uniform with an Olympic medal on his mantelpiece. http://www.bucsnation.com/2013/12/10/5198558/december-10th-2013-the-day-american-football-became-recognised-by-the
It will never be an Olympic sport until at least a few other countries are within spitting distance of being able to put together a roster that won't get blown out by America.Seriously, what would be the point in adding a team sport to the game where 1 country could field well over 50 separate teams that were better than a "rest of the world allstars" squad?You only have to look at the UK where the NFL is focusing it's International expansion, the champions of the BritBowl in 4 of the past 5 years and runner up in the 5th (London Blitz) would struggle to not get creamed by someone like Appalachian State.If you put anyone against an NFL team or college powerhouse and it would be brutal.
I can't find anything in here to bash Schiano for. We'll see what Bench and Anamoly can come up with.
I can't find anything in here to bash Schiano for. We'll see what Bench and Anamoly can come up with.
Exactly...they are one of the reasons I don't come here much. Can't stand their constant negativity. BTW, do you know if they are on the paid board...considering joining that but if they are there or similar posters I'll pass. Not that I don't like negative posted but when it gets to the point that they become obsessed or irrational it's ridiculous.If Schiano won back to back Super Bowls they would still find a reason to bash him.
It will never be an Olympic sport until at least a few other countries are within spitting distance of being able to put together a roster that won't get blown out by America.Seriously, what would be the point in adding a team sport to the game where 1 country could field well over 50 separate teams that were better than a "rest of the world allstars" squad?You only have to look at the UK where the NFL is focusing it's International expansion, the champions of the BritBowl in 4 of the past 5 years and runner up in the 5th (London Blitz) would struggle to not get creamed by someone like Appalachian State.If you put anyone against an NFL team or college powerhouse and it would be brutal.
if the they followed the current format for international competition then i don't see why it wouldn't work, the USA doesn't field Pro players or players currently enrolled within the NCAA. Japan is was the international powerhouse if you go by world championships until USA won their 2nd world cup. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IFAF_World_Championship
It will never be an Olympic sport until at least a few other countries are within spitting distance of being able to put together a roster that won't get blown out by America.Seriously, what would be the point in adding a team sport to the game where 1 country could field well over 50 separate teams that were better than a "rest of the world allstars" squad?You only have to look at the UK where the NFL is focusing it's International expansion, the champions of the BritBowl in 4 of the past 5 years and runner up in the 5th (London Blitz) would struggle to not get creamed by someone like Appalachian State.If you put anyone against an NFL team or college powerhouse and it would be brutal.
if the they followed the current format for international competition then i don't see why it wouldn't work, the USA doesn't field Pro players or players currently enrolled within the NCAA. Japan is was the international powerhouse if you go by world championships until USA won their 2nd world cup. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IFAF_World_Championship
The problem is the Olympics have become a joke where professionals are now allowed, just look at the basketball dream teams.There is no way America would send complete nobodies, the IFAF is practically unknown to most while the Olympics are a top 3 sporting event.You just think of the undrafted talent out there each year that would put a team over the top compared to the rest of the world.
It will never be an Olympic sport until at least a few other countries are within spitting distance of being able to put together a roster that won't get blown out by America.Seriously, what would be the point in adding a team sport to the game where 1 country could field well over 50 separate teams that were better than a "rest of the world allstars" squad?You only have to look at the UK where the NFL is focusing it's International expansion, the champions of the BritBowl in 4 of the past 5 years and runner up in the 5th (London Blitz) would struggle to not get creamed by someone like Appalachian State.If you put anyone against an NFL team or college powerhouse and it would be brutal.
if the they followed the current format for international competition then i don't see why it wouldn't work, the USA doesn't field Pro players or players currently enrolled within the NCAA. Japan is was the international powerhouse if you go by world championships until USA won their 2nd world cup. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IFAF_World_Championship
The problem is the Olympics have become a joke where professionals are now allowed, just look at the basketball dream teams.There is no way America would send complete nobodies, the IFAF is practically unknown to most while the Olympics are a top 3 sporting event.You just think of the undrafted talent out there each year that would put a team over the top compared to the rest of the world.
very true! i'm also sure that most people wouldn't want to see a watered down team just so everyone else can play.the problem with the rest of the world is that Football is so bespoke that in other countries we don't learn about the sport until we find out about it and then we don't have the facilities or coaches to teach the younger generation. In the UK we don't play tackle until the age of 18/19; that's TEN years behind the US.
Football is just too expensive to play for it to build an international backing. And you can't really play without proper equipment. Well you can, but you've got to be a little disturbed. The Marines played it when we were stationed in the middle of the desert with nothing to do, but the base commander put an end to it due to all the serious injuries. When it turned into touch football, most people lost interest. I've still got scars from that insanity.On the other hand, flying over South America I saw a clearing in a field with dozens of people playing soccer. Equipment costs for an entire village to play are one soccer ball. May not have even been a real ball. Continents of poor people play soccer, which is why it's an international game. Football? Not so much.