Why is the N.F.L. so popular? The N.F.L. grew in the comfort zone after World War II. People had money and time. A popular American sport got bigger. George Vecsey americanbigcomfort Change image and share on social
Sometimes, sport is just plain pleasing to the eye, like watching La Belle France flit by on television during the Tour de France. I can do that for hours. George Vecsey belleeyeflit Change image and share on social
I know, I know - men have that extra hero gene in their foolish makeup; it's part of our charm. But I happen to know some women who have their inner sports hero, too. George Vecsey charmextrafoolish Change image and share on social
Television is making sports universal; for the same reason, big-time soccer is growing more popular in the United States. George Vecsey biggrowmake Change image and share on social
Hockey lends itself to special events, including the Olympic competition: a glorious tournament of the best players in the world, putting on their national jerseys and playing on big rinks with no-goon Olympic rules and referee enforcement. George Vecsey bigcompetitionenforcement share on social
Hockey historians say the handshake dates to English settlers in Canada, who preached an upper-class version of sportsmanship in the 19th century. Soon, tough kids in urban and prairie rinks began imitating imagined dukes and earls of the old country. George Vecsey 19thbegincanada share on social
For years, I have been harboring memories of my first major league game at a place named Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. George Vecsey brooklynebbetsfield Change image and share on social
When Sweden's Jan-Ove Waldner travels to China to play table tennis, he is mobbed when he leaves his hotel as if he were a rock star walking around Manhattan or a soccer star walking around Europe. George Vecsey chinaeuropehotel Change image and share on social
Athletes are used to battling. The public would never learn their names if professional athletes had not shown courage at an early age. They learn they can overcome, but sometimes this becomes a false sense of security that leads them to the edge. George Vecsey ageathletebattle share on social
Stanley Cup hockey comes around every year, when games start to count in multiples of best-of-seven series, and the players seem to put more attention into every pass, every check, every annoying little trick. George Vecsey annoyattentioncheck share on social
