There's really no question about which league rules the sports world in the United States. With all due respect to the NBA, MLB and the NHL, there's just no stopping the NFL juggernaut. Thanks to billion-dollar TV contracts and wall-to-wall media coverage, the sport is simply unavoidable.
Well, if you can't beat ‘em, join ‘em. So even if you're a die-hard hockey fan, you may as well get to know a little bit about the world of the NFL. Here's a look at some of the similarities and differences between the two leagues.
NFL: “Safety” refers to a player who lines up deep in the secondary and is responsible for covering passing plays.
NHL: “Safety” refers to the act of not doing anything that might make Zdeno Chara angry.
NFL: If you see fans wearing cheese on their heads, you'll know that they are fans of the Green Bay Packers.
NHL: If you see fans with food on their heads, you'll know that whoever is throwing waffles at the Maple Leafs that night has a weak arm and poor depth perception.
NFL: Many players express their unique personalities by growing their hair long, sporting intricate tattoos, and performing choreographed celebrations after big plays.
NHL: Many players express their unique personalities by choosing a nickname that consists of their last name with the suffix “er” instead of their last name with the suffix “ie.”
NFL: There are several teams in the southern United States that regularly play in front of sold-out crowds filled with rabid fans with a deep appreciation for the sport.
NHL: There are several teams in the southern United States.
NFL: You can buy commercial time during the Super Bowl, assuming you have a few million dollars sitting around that you'd like to waste on something that will have no discernible impact on your product's success.
NHL: Unfortunately, Ilya Bryzgalov doesn't hit free agency again until 2020.
NFL: Expect to see thousands of towels being waved madly by die-hard Steelers fans throughout the game.
NHL: Expect to see dozens of towels being thrown in by the Columbus Blue Jackets during the opening shift.
NFL: Teams will occasionally score from fifty or sixty yards away as the result of a play called the “Hail Mary.”
NHL: Teams will occasionally score from fifty or sixty yards away as the result of a play called “playing against a team that employs Vesa Toskala.”
NFL: If you see a player jump into the first row of the stands, it's because he's a Green Bay Packer and has just scored a touchdown.
NHL: If you see a player jump into the first row of the stands, it's because he didn't really appreciate that fan's most recent reference to his mother.
NFL: “The Music City Miracle” refers to a last-second kickoff return that allowed the Tennessee Titans to advance in the 2000 playoffs.
NHL: “The Music City Miracle” refers to an Ottawa Senators third-liner managing to marry Carrie Underwood.
NFL: A “dime back” refers to a sixth defensive back, who enters the game on likely passing downs.
NHL: A “dime back” refers to what you'd better be ready to give Patrick Kane once he's paid you for his cab ride.
NFL: Although they realize that it's probably unrealistic given the rate of injury, every player starts the season with the goal of playing in sixteen games.
NHL: Rick DiPietro.
NFL: “Bump and run” is a defensive technique that focuses on slowing down the receiver at the line of scrimmage.
NHL: “Bump and run” is Daniel Carcillo's strategy against any player who is tougher than Marian Gaborik.