Topic: A country's sport which is football, heaven help us.

mjahrens · December 28th, 2004

I have an elderly Arabian (Egyptian) neighbor, now a US citizen, rabidly pro-marine, who said when he was in the mid-east during WWII, that a German officer was quoted as saying he had observed an American football game about 1940 and said "Any country that has (American) football as a national sport...God help their enemies".

I have heard this now more than once, and both times from someone from the Mid-East. The first time in 1970 and now in 04. Another version of it was, again from a German officer, "They play war as a sport, every schoolchild understands strategy, the country that challenges them will be in grave difficulty."

Any leads on if this was a real quote or true story? Was it by a German? What is the connection to Arabia?

Thanks, Joe

Rikster · January 8th, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjahrens

I have an elderly Arabian (Egyptian) neighbor, now a US citizen, rabidly pro-marine, who said when he was in the mid-east during WWII, that a German officer was quoted as saying he had observed an American football game about 1940 and said "Any country that has (American) football as a national sport...God help their enemies".

I have heard this now more than once, and both times from someone from the Mid-East. The first time in 1970 and now in 04. Another version of it was, again from a German officer, "They play war as a sport, every schoolchild understands strategy, the country that challenges them will be in grave difficulty."

Any leads on if this was a real quote or true story? Was it by a German? What is the connection to Arabia?

Thanks, Joe

Who was playing "American football" in the Middle east in 1940? More likely Brits playing rugby, which is far more "physical" than football (American).

BritinAfrica · January 9th, 2009

I remember a quote from a German officer in charge of a POW camps.

The German officer was watching a game of rugby when he was approached by a British soldier who asked, if he would like to make up a rugby team and play against the POW's

The German officer replied, “Only if we can keep our guns.”

Del Boy · March 19th, 2009

Brilliant!

SHERMAN · March 23rd, 2009

Some of the German football ive seen were worse than american football

December 28th, 2004	Post 1
mjahrens Tirones	Post; A country's sport which is football, heaven help us. I have an elderly Arabian (Egyptian) neighbor, now a US citizen, rabidly pro-marine, who said when he was in the mid-east during WWII, that a German officer was quoted as saying he had observed an American football game about 1940 and said "Any country that has (American) football as a national sport...God help their enemies". I have heard this now more than once, and both times from someone from the Mid-East. The first time in 1970 and now in 04. Another version of it was, again from a German officer, "They play war as a sport, every schoolchild understands strategy, the country that challenges them will be in grave difficulty." Any leads on if this was a real quote or true story? Was it by a German? What is the connection to Arabia? Thanks, Joe

January 9th, 2009	Post 3
BritinAfrica Tribuni Angusticlavii	I remember a quote from a German officer in charge of a POW camps. The German officer was watching a game of rugby when he was approached by a British soldier who asked, if he would like to make up a rugby team and play against the POW's The German officer replied, “Only if we can keep our guns.” __________________ Adversus solem ne loquitor

March 19th, 2009	Post 4
Del Boy Tribunus Laticlavius	Brilliant! __________________ True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing.

March 23rd, 2009	Post 5
SHERMAN Milforum Moderator Gear	Some of the German football ive seen were worse than american football __________________

Topic: A country's sport which is football, heaven help us.

Post; A country's sport which is football, heaven help us.