Gave up NFL... mostly.

[American GenX]

I've been thinking about doing this for a while, and I've known other people who gave it up after the kneeling during the national anthem and other stuff that continues, but I've finally given up NFL football for the most part.  I've watched a little, but instead of spending hours on a Sunday, I've probably watched closer to 1/2 hour.

It's great to free up those extra hours every Sunday.  Plus, I don't have to listen to Tony Romo anymore.  lol

I had already given up watching other sports, so the NFL was the last one sucking up my time.

[American GenX]

One additional note - my NFL viewing was free as I only watched games that were broadcast over air.  I cut the cord quite a few years back, and I don't subscribe to any streaming services as most people seem to always do after they "cut the cord".

[boarder42]

I gave up fantasy last year it was toxic for me. Didn't matter the cost of the league I wanted to win and invested alot of time and it would affect my moods alot. If I won or lost each weekend. I'd start watching fantasy shows at 9am Sunday and didn't quit til the last game of the night.

Now I just watch our local team and my favorite team if we get it. We have friends get togethers weekly for this so it's more of a social thing than a football thing. It's also decoupled my emotional fandom from teams too. It's a crazy time suck. And that doesn't account for all the time I spent listening to fantasy podcasts and researching and trading etc.

[SpareChange]

I've watched less and less of it over the years. My sweet spot now is just watching the 10-15 min (per game) highlight videos on the NFL's youtube channel. During the playoffs I might snag a full game here and there. Good enough.

[sonofsven]

I only watch one team (since '77), games are almost all on broadcast tv and I have a good antenna.
To me it's seasonal, part of the Fall season, harvesting the garden, firing up the woodstove, setting up the slow cooker on Sunday and watching a football game.

[cool7hand]

Way to go learning that you like whatever it is you're doing better than watching the NFL!

[clarkfan1979]

I've been thinking about doing this for a while, and I've known other people who gave it up after the kneeling during the national anthem and other stuff that continues, but I've finally given up NFL football for the most part.  I've watched a little, but instead of spending hours on a Sunday, I've probably watched closer to 1/2 hour.

It's great to free up those extra hours every Sunday.  Plus, I don't have to listen to Tony Romo anymore.  lol

I had already given up watching other sports, so the NFL was the last one sucking up my time.

I used to do fantasy and watched 3-5 hours of football on Sundays 2007-2010. I slowly tapered off. When I found MMM in 2014, he gave me person to give it up completely. I did that for a couple years. I am now back, but mostly just for the highlights. I also have a fantasy team, but only spend about 30 minutes/week on it. 

[HPstache]

Can't do it... sad, but I just love watching football that much.

[StachelessNicholas]

I gave up fantasy last year it was toxic for me. Didn't matter the cost of the league I wanted to win and invested alot of time and it would affect my moods alot. If I won or lost each weekend. I'd start watching fantasy shows at 9am Sunday and didn't quit til the last game of the night.

Now I just watch our local team and my favorite team if we get it. We have friends get togethers weekly for this so it's more of a social thing than a football thing. It's also decoupled my emotional fandom from teams too. It's a crazy time suck. And that doesn't account for all the time I spent listening to fantasy podcasts and researching and trading etc.

I know this struggle all too well... I played 3 seasons and won all 3 seasons in multiple leagues but it became work. It was then that I realized I can make anything an addiction.

[DadJokes]

I've barely watched as well over the last several years, though that's more because I find it boring in comparison to hockey. I'll listen over the radio if I happen to be in the car on Sunday, and we've put on Monday Night Football (with Peyton & Eli) as we've gone to bed this year.

However, how dare you speak ill of Tony Romo. He's adorable. If you wanted to complain about Joe Buck, I'd fully understand.

[BoonDogle]

Haven't given it up yet but it definitely has a negative impact on my mood if my local team does poorly.  I have taken the year off from watching college football, however.  I'm fed up with the conference re-alignments and transfer portal.  They may be good for the players and certain teams but it's frustrating for me.

[jinga nation]

I've watched less and less of it over the years. My sweet spot now is just watching the 10-15 min (per game) highlight videos on the NFL's youtube channel. During the playoffs I might snag a full game here and there. Good enough.

Same here. I don't watch live sports on TV anymore... if I want to, I'll do so in the gym when I'm doing something positive for my body.
As a result, I don't sit on my ass, eat and drink unhealthy. Better for mind and body. Also efficiency, why watch a 60 minute clock time NFL game for over 3 hours. Ridiculous.
If I want to watch my local pro or college teams live, I'll buy tickets and make the trip. Worth the occasional experience.
Youtube for sports highlights is the best. NFL, College Football, NHL, Formula1, WRC, European/international soccer.

@BoonDogle I agree. better for the mind/mood, and why bother keeping track of things that don't directly affect oneself, like conference drama.

[Dave1442397]

Also efficiency, why watch a 60 minute clock time NFL game for over 3 hours. Ridiculous.

When they first started showing American Football on UK channels, they cut out all the useless wandering around, etc, and you could watch a game in one hour. They did broadcast the Superbowl live, and that was funny because we had no commercials. Every time the US went to commercial break, we could still hear all the players cursing on the sidelines while they waited for the next play.

I stopped watching it when I came to the US. I just don't have that many hours to spend watching NFL.

[DadJokes]

Also efficiency, why watch a 60 minute clock time NFL game for over 3 hours. Ridiculous.

It's even worse than that. More than half of the game clock ticks in-between plays, so there is only about 18 minutes of actual action.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-much-football-is-even-in-a-football-broadcast/

They broke down the average American football game as follows:
18.0 minutes of action
140.6 minutes of nonaction
49.9 minutes of commercials

[MasterStache]

Meh, don't watch much NFL. I like fantasy and have a team, but I'm not emotionally invested in it. It's just a game mostly of luck.  I do enjoy college football. Fun to gather with friends and family and watch games together.

[Samuel]

Also efficiency, why watch a 60 minute clock time NFL game for over 3 hours. Ridiculous.

It's even worse than that. More than half of the game clock ticks in-between plays, so there is only about 18 minutes of actual action.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-much-football-is-even-in-a-football-broadcast/

They broke down the average American football game as follows:
18.0 minutes of action
140.6 minutes of nonaction
49.9 minutes of commercials

What little football I watch (really only if the local team is in the playoffs) happens at a friend's house who will DVR the game and start playback about 90 minutes after kickoff. By skipping all the commercials and lulls you can watch a game in about 70-80 minutes while retaining all the fun tension of the important moments. It's the only way to go.

[American GenX]

Also efficiency, why watch a 60 minute clock time NFL game for over 3 hours. Ridiculous.

It's even worse than that. More than half of the game clock ticks in-between plays, so there is only about 18 minutes of actual action.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-much-football-is-even-in-a-football-broadcast/

They broke down the average American football game as follows:
18.0 minutes of action
140.6 minutes of nonaction
49.9 minutes of commercials

What little football I watch (really only if the local team is in the playoffs) happens at a friend's house who will DVR the game and start playback about 90 minutes after kickoff. By skipping all the commercials and lulls you can watch a game in about 70-80 minutes while retaining all the fun tension of the important moments. It's the only way to go.

DVR/time-shifting is what I've doing with NFL games for many years, and depending how interested I am in replays and commentary, I could get games watched even faster, but others I would watch more of the game.  But I was also normally watching 2 or 3 games as well as watching highlights of all of the other games.  So, this break from the NFL is really freeing up my time.  This last weekend, I didn't watch any at all!

[myemail1045]

SAME!! I gave up playing fantasy football this year too (It's not easy saying No to friends). I originally give up because I though I would enjoy watching the game more when I'm not so focused on my player getting the ball all the time. To my surprise I don't get the urge to watch the game anymore. I used to be glued to the TV pretty much all Sunday & Monday/Thursday nights.

I keep an eye on the standing/score etc..  I think I still enjoy watching it but I haven't watched full quarter of any game yet, which is very surprising to me (I guess it was all about trying to win fantasy football).

[elysianfields]

However, how dare you speak ill of Tony Romo. He's adorable. If you wanted to complain about Joe Buck, I'd fully understand.

During the Super Bowl last year, at halftime Tony was talking about how KC should do this and that to get back into the game, and I said:

"Tony, what do you know about winning the Super Bowl?  You've never even played in one."

The entire SB party cracked up laughing.

[American GenX]

However, how dare you speak ill of Tony Romo. He's adorable. If you wanted to complain about Joe Buck, I'd fully understand.

During the Super Bowl last year, at halftime Tony was talking about how KC should do this and that to get back into the game, and I said:

"Tony, what do you know about winning the Super Bowl?  You've never even played in one."

The entire SB party cracked up laughing.

I always found him super annoying and wished he would shut up.  Another benefit of giving up NFL and not having to listen to him rattle on anymore.

[Paul der Krake]

I for one can't get enough of Romo's commentary and love watching his games.

Shit, I'd probably listen to him read the phone book.

[boarder42]

SAME!! I gave up playing fantasy football this year too (It's not easy saying No to friends). I originally give up because I though I would enjoy watching the game more when I'm not so focused on my player getting the ball all the time. To my surprise I don't get the urge to watch the game anymore. I used to be glued to the TV pretty much all Sunday & Monday/Thursday nights.

I keep an eye on the standing/score etc..  I think I still enjoy watching it but I haven't watched full quarter of any game yet, which is very surprising to me (I guess it was all about trying to win fantasy football).

It's crazy refreshing. I can't even explain the amount of positive life impact

[tj]

There were a few years where I stopped watching sports, but I've fallen back into it - thanks to the pandemic when everything was closed. Mostly because it's free and I don't know what else I'd do with the time. Although today I'm going to a Peruvian lunch meetup - I really don't need to spend 12 hours watching football every saturday and sunday...

[jinga nation]

I tried to watch live sports this weekend.
Saturday lunch/afternoon college football: too many dang commercials, quite a few inappropriate with 7-10 year olds around.
Sunday afternoon, tried to watch the Formula1 Mexican GrandPrix. After the usual Lap1 drama, Bottas getting the bad luck bag again, and MaxV taking the lead in Turn 1, there was no point to watch anymore. (I'm a Honda fanboy, and I know the Red Bulls are damn reliable.) And Perez was going to constantly hunt down Hamilton reducing pressure on Max. My kids said "Dad, Max is going to win. This is boring, we're going to play some board games." After 20 minutes, shut off the TV and went for a long Sunday afternoon nap, then washed/vacuumed the cars with the kids.
And I haven't felt the need to go check on sports scores/results on Monday morning.

[Nick_Miller]

I don't know why this has to be an all or nothing type of thing.

Yes, there are probably too many people who sit on their couches all Sunday, drinking beer and scarfing nachos and watching TV from the noon pregame to the end of the 8:30 night game. I'm trying to develop heathy habits, so yeah I have no interest in doing that. But...for some people, especially lots of men, it's prime bonding time, whether it be with friends, or sons/dads. And if you're watching a free game, the whole endeavor is pretty cheap (just cost of food). So I try not to judge people too harshly.

And with covid, I'm not ready to plant myself in the middle of a 70k-person crowd where people are packed in, shouting, spitting, etc. Maybe I will feel differently next year after another booster or two.

I enjoy some casual redraft fantasy football with friends, but I can see how dynasty league (or multiple leagues of any kind) could get out of hand and become a part-time job. And yeah, negative results can really put you in a sullen mood for a disproportionate amount of time. That's definitely a negative, compared to things like reading a book, going to the movies, checking out a concert, etc where there is no competition involved.

[use2betrix]

I’ve never been much of a watch-sports-onto-person, but my wife and I have really grown to enjoy watching our favorite college team saturdays and pro team sundays. Often we record them and they go much faster. It’s really been something we look forward to each week, and it’s the only sports and teams we watch.

I agree some people go way overboard and it’s also no excuse to go overboard on food or alcohol.

It’s also a fun, occasional social event. My family likes the same teams so each Saturday it’s a nice group text between my dad, brother, and myself.

[trc4897]

I've been really turned off of the NFL the past few weeks. When I see more of the referees than actual gameplay it's really frustrating! Especially when it seems more penalties / calls than usual are very questionable

[BoonDogle]

I've been really turned off of the NFL the past few weeks. When I see more of the referees than actual gameplay it's really frustrating! Especially when it seems more penalties / calls than usual are very questionable

That's a good point.  A slight grazing of the QB helmet has become roughing the passer for some reason and staring at the opposing team's bench is now taunting.  When the refs are deciding games on penalties that make no sense it's time for me to take a break from watching.

[dcheesi]

Considering pulling-back on my football watching for next season.

My primary team is not local, so watching all the games often means heading to a sports bar. I skipped that last season for obvious reasons, but this year I've been doing it more often. But most of the more enjoyable venues dropped Sunday Ticket and haven't brought it back, leaving only a few soulless corporate franchises as options (and the nearest one is particularly sad). So there's really not much in it for me anymore, besides the game itself.

I'll admit that it's occasionally nice to have an excuse to get out of the house, but at other times it's inconvenient, and it's always needlessly expensive.

Meanwhile, watching at home is fun when it's convenient, but when it's not... (I'm looking at you, post-8pm night games that run past 11pm¹ on a "school night"!). Also, I don't want football to be a barrier to other things that we might want to do on a Sunday.

(¹Yes, I am old)

[Greystache]

I can't stand over 3 hours of incessant commercials. If my team wins, I go to Youtube and watch the highlights in less than 20 minutes. If they lose, I don't watch anything at all. I have noticed that the older I get, the fewer fucks I have to give for the NFL.

[Nick_Miller]

I wonder how much of this 'pull back' is specific to the NFL and how much it applies to watching/attending sporting events in general.

Sure, NFL games are longer than most games, and a lot of 'game time' is them huddling and standing around. Injuries are so widespread that high level players are frequently not even on the field for extended periods. And yeah, penalties, especially bad calls, can affect the game in bigger ways (that 15-yard penalty on Miami last night for just touching Lamar was ridiculous). So yeah, definitely some NFL-specific issues.

But then the universal issues with watching/attending any sporting events:  They're a time suck. They encourage unhealthy habits (sitting, eating junk food, consuming alcohol). We allow our emotions and mood to be governed by a bunch of strangers playing with a ball or puck or whatever. Some fans become extremely toxic, both in person and online because they attach too much importance on these outcome. Most of us would probably be much better off playing those sports ourselves instead of watching them.

[joe189man]

i gave up on Football years ago. i played in HS and college so my friends (who also played in HS and College) can't understand why I don't love and watch it to this day.

I asked myself why i liked watching it, and i didnt have a good reason and didnt feel an affinity to any team specifically. My Buddies love college ball, but love teams they didnt play on, makes no sense. Its like their personal self worth is matched to the outcomes of a college sports team.

Ask yourself why you watch and keep digging to the root to understand why you do it. If you still like the reasons, its probably fine to keep watching. If not go outside and take your kids to the park

[jinga nation]

We allow our emotions and mood to be governed by a bunch of strangers playing with a ball or puck or whatever. Some fans become extremely toxic, both in person and online because they attach too much importance on these outcome. Most of us would probably be much better off playing those sports ourselves instead of watching them.

Agree.

My local NHL team has family game packs. I took my kids on the suggestion of my neighbor who is a season ticket holder. So 2 families, 4 kids ages 7-12. What do we see on a weekend afternoon? In the "family section" we sat, there was swearing, yelling, and many bad behaviors we teach kids to recognize and reject. Complaints to ushers went nowhere, as these "bad actors" were with their families. My neighbor has become more religious over the years and was super disgusted. To the point that he had a good sit-down with his family and decided to not renew his season ticket, and no more live games. He is focusing his time on expanding his running of his church-based youth soccer league and playing facilities renovation.

I've had this thought for several years: why am I doing bad things to my body, or just sitting on my ass, while watching highly paid and conditioned athletes play? Why am I not doing good things for my body? Why am I disgusted with on-field unsporting behavior (looking at you, pro football/futbol/soccer players with your diving dramas vying for the Fallon d'Floor award)?
Thus I decided to only watch pro/college sports when in the gym working out. And no more use of social media to follow on/off-field drama. And then removed the social media component completely.  That has created more time to spend with family for outdoor activities, kids' sporting events, home improvements, growing food. The only games I'll watch in person are at a viewing party at someone's home for major games (Stanley Cup finals, FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, Euros and Copa America finals). The pandemic has made me focus more on family and health.

[jim555]

I usually start the DVR and start watching 1.5 hours in, then blast through the crud and commercials and end when the game ends. 

[meadow lark]

I tend to sit in the living room and read a book with the game on.  When people get excited I look up and watch the replays.  Similar to watching the highlight reel I guess.

[MasterStache]

I for one can't get enough of Romo's commentary and love watching his games.

Shit, I'd probably listen to him read the phone book.

I don't necessarily love Romo and can understand how others find him annoying. However, he offers some great insight into the game as it's unfolding having played for so many years. I think he has an excellent grasp of dissecting plays and pointing things out us couch warmers would never pick up on. Heck I've even seem him on multiple occasions accurately call out a play before it even happenes. 

[NaN]

I grew up a big football fan. Went to college games at a local university (D-1 so somewhat good even though the team was bad) and followed my local NFL team pretty much every Sunday. Played in high school for four years. I stopped watching football significantly 5 years ago. This was before the kneeling issues. Why? I decided I cannot ethically watch a sport I would not want my son to ever play. The brain trauma from the hard hits are bad - and the cover up and ignorance on it from the NFL for years is, to me, unforgivable. The long-term health problems in a lot of players that even only play a few years is also a travesty.  Partly because that can also come from college years, which also damages their body. And College Football is even worse than the NFL. The BILLIONS made in college football when most players don't give a shit about their college education even though when it is said  "don't pay them, they get a college education for free" is tossed around as justification for this terrible practice. Most fans of a college team would not care if their favorite player cheated to get on the field on Saturday, as long as they stay in contention for the 'championship' (which again, rakes in billions at the expense of these 18-22 year old men). Oh, and what about a college football coach getting paid the most out of any state employee in so many states. And the stadiums? Ugh, I can go on forever f-it-all. I quit watching because of all that - not really cost or time. Though having Saturday's and Sunday's back in the fall has allowed me to experience much healthier forms of entertainment: hiking, gardening, relaxing, hobbies, etc.

[Extramedium]

I heard a Frank Deford Morning Edition editorial on the NFL during pre-season several years ago, commenting on scandals going around the league.  A player or two in trouble for being violent to their loved ones (publicly), "deflate gate", in which coaches were caught cheating, and discovery that the owners had been covering up evidence of CTE (brain injuries in players) for many years.  He concluded that everyone's upset about what jerks the players, coaches, and owners are, but everybody will keep tuning in and buying merchandise.

Though a lifelong fan of my local team, I decided to take a year off of the NFL, allowing myself to only watch the Superbowl.  I was surprised to discover that life without it was a significant improvement!  I had so much more free time and energy to spend on my family and myself.  I actually got outside and was more athletic myself, instead of watching someone else be athletic while I was sedentary. 

Since then, I've kept it up.  I'll watch post-season games of my team (not usually an issue) and the Superbowl, though some years I skip that too.  I recommend it to anyone who'll listen, my only evangelism.  I'm sure I'm quite annoying, but don't mind.

[NaN]

A quote from a running book "Dr. Sheehan on Running":

"The weakest among us can become some kind of athlete, but only the strongest can survive as spectators. Only the hardiest can withstand the perils of inertia, inactivity and immobility. Only the most resilient can cope with the squandering of time, the deterioration of fitness, the loss of creativity, the frustration of the emotions and the dulling of moral sense that can afflict the dedicated spectator.

...(removed text)

The seated spectator is not a thinker, he is a knower. Unlike the athlete who is still seeking his own experience, who leaves himself open to truth, the spectator has closed the ring. His thinking has become rigid knowing. He has enclosed himself in bias and partisanship and prejudice. He has ceased to grow.

...

Because the spectator cannot experience what the athlete is experiencing, the fan is seldom a good loser. The emphasis on winning is therefore much more of a problem for the spectator than the athlete. The losing fan, filled with emotions which have no healthy outlets, is likely to take it out on his neighbor, the nearest inanimate object, the umpires, the stadium or the game itself.

...

From the moment you become a spectator everything is downhill."

[Nick_Miller]

I grew up a big football fan. Went to college games at a local university (D-1 so somewhat good even though the team was bad) and followed my local NFL team pretty much every Sunday. Played in high school for four years. I stopped watching football significantly 5 years ago. This was before the kneeling issues. Why? I decided I cannot ethically watch a sport I would not want my son to ever play. The brain trauma from the hard hits are bad - and the cover up and ignorance on it from the NFL for years is, to me, unforgivable. The long-term health problems in a lot of players that even only play a few years is also a travesty.  Partly because that can also come from college years, which also damages their body. And College Football is even worse than the NFL. The BILLIONS made in college football when most players don't give a shit about their college education even though when it is said  "don't pay them, they get a college education for free" is tossed around as justification for this terrible practice. Most fans of a college team would not care if their favorite player cheated to get on the field on Saturday, as long as they stay in contention for the 'championship' (which again, rakes in billions at the expense of these 18-22 year old men). Oh, and what about a college football coach getting paid the most out of any state employee in so many states. And the stadiums? Ugh, I can go on forever f-it-all. I quit watching because of all that - not really cost or time. Though having Saturday's and Sunday's back in the fall has allowed me to experience much healthier forms of entertainment: hiking, gardening, relaxing, hobbies, etc.

I can't really argue with any of this. I feel college is a bit more hypocritical than are the pros (who don't even deny they are money-grubbing bastards) and I've almost entirely dropped watching college. Honestly the more I read in this thread the more I think I should just give up pro as well.

[Extramedium]

A quote from a running book "Dr. Sheehan on Running":

"The weakest among us can become some kind of athlete, but only the strongest can survive as spectators. Only the hardiest can withstand the perils of inertia, inactivity and immobility. Only the most resilient can cope with the squandering of time, the deterioration of fitness, the loss of creativity, the frustration of the emotions and the dulling of moral sense that can afflict the dedicated spectator.

...(removed text)

The seated spectator is not a thinker, he is a knower. Unlike the athlete who is still seeking his own experience, who leaves himself open to truth, the spectator has closed the ring. His thinking has become rigid knowing. He has enclosed himself in bias and partisanship and prejudice. He has ceased to grow.

...

Because the spectator cannot experience what the athlete is experiencing, the fan is seldom a good loser. The emphasis on winning is therefore much more of a problem for the spectator than the athlete. The losing fan, filled with emotions which have no healthy outlets, is likely to take it out on his neighbor, the nearest inanimate object, the umpires, the stadium or the game itself.

...

From the moment you become a spectator everything is downhill."

Reminds me of Teddy Roosevelt's Man in The Arena speech.  So good.

[ScreamingHeadGuy]

I can't stand over 3 hours of incessant commercials. If my team wins, I go to Youtube and watch the highlights in less than 20 minutes. If they lose, I don't watch anything at all. I have noticed that the older I get, the fewer fucks I have to give for the NFL.

That is pretty much what I’d say.  I’ll also add that I am in a far better emotional/mental state by avoiding the games.  I found myself getting way too stressed out (every third down was a life or death moment).