NFL- The National Football League
The National Football League. The NFL. Is there another professional sports organization that commands more respect worldwide? For football fans and players alike, the NFL is the paradigm to which all other football leagues are compared to and developed. Once known as the more powerful, athletic and dominant of two professional football leagues in the U.S., the NFL enjoyed the birth of its modern era by merging with the former American Football League (AFL) in 1970.
Now a multi-billion dollar industry, the NFL is composed of 32 professional football teams divided into two conferences -- the NFC and AFC -- a perfect tribute to the beginnings of professional football in America. Within each conference, there are four divisions. The league has done its best to divide these teams based on geographical location. Therefore, both the AFC and NFC enjoy North, South, East and West divisions. 32 teams/2 conferences = 16 teams/4 divisions -- Each division possesses four teams.
Every NFL season begins after teams play approximately four pre-season games vs. other NFL opponents. (In 2007, the New Orleans Saints played in five.) At that point, the pads start poppin', the fans start rockin' and Hank Williams Jr. can be heard coming from anyone and everything: Fathers, sons, mothers, daughters...HDTVs, "Are you ready for some football?"
The atmosphere surrounding the NFL season has become a true American tradition. It includes weekly parties, tailgating at stadiums nationwide, wearing team jerseys as often as James Bond wears a tux and, of course, some of the finest athletes in the world playing a deliciously violent sport that the world has grown to love.
Each season culminates with an NFL celebration that has become bigger than the game of football itself: the Super Bowl. Named by Lamar Hunt, one of the NFL's greatest contributors, the Super Bowl determines each season's NFL champion. Each conference is represented, and to the victor goes the spoils -- as well as the Vince Lombardi trophy.
