Football is one of the most popular sports in America. In 2023, an NFL football game averaged 17.9 million viewers. Even though the sport is popular, it’s overrated.

At Del Val, even though Friday night football games are popular with the students, it’s not the best sport to watch. Del Val has a wide variety of sports that are much more entertaining. With sports like volleyball, soccer, basketball, wrestling, field hockey and lacrosse, why is Football the most popular?

“Football is just a bunch of kids throwing around a ball and trying to get past each other,” senior Lillie Margotta said.

However, Margotta also added that she does attend the football games here at Del Val.

“I do go to the football games, but I go mainly for the social aspect of it,” Margotta said.

Although I am no expert on football, and even as someone dating a football player, I still find the game boring. The constant stopping makes the four quarters drag on forever. Standing in the Dawg Pound when a player scores a touchdown is exciting, but the game never holds attention spans for long.

Of course, there are football fans who can’t take their eyes off the game. There are always fanatics for every sport.

“I think it’s a fun game, but there’s nothing too crazy about it,” freshman Finley Swanson said. “I never really watch the games because it feels like whenever I watch, it’s just the same thing over and over.”

Football is just a sport, like any other. I just find it to be one of the most, if not the most, overrated.

With the pros and cons, the sport has a great sense of community. Nothing beats FNL as a high-schooler. I just wish it was more exciting other than when the team scores a touchdown.

“I think that football’s great because as a player, it brings the community together,” senior Carter Gordon said. “There’s nothing like running out on the field with your team, seeing the stands packed with family and friends.”