Michael Ventre

In the history of human conflict, there have been many memorable and profound utterances. Julius Caesar told the Roman Senate, “Veni, Vidi, Vici (I came, I saw, I conquered).” Paul Revere rode a horse between Boston and Lexington and warned about the approaching enemy army by bellowing a version of “The British are coming!” Ronald Reagan once implored, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

And of course, the one that everyone remembers, “Are you ready for some football?”

The quote, officially attributed to country singer Hank Williams, Jr., used to accompany one particular network’s NFL telecast. But it has burrowed its way into the lexicon, and now it’s used by bus drivers, plumbers, secretaries, baristas, CEOs, pilots, advertising executives, Sunday school teachers, firefighters, used car salesmen, yoga instructors and millions of others from just about every walk of life.

While I was writing this, I received an e-mail advertisement from a steak house promoting a coupon offer good on Sunday and Monday nights during football season. The headline on the promotion: “Are you ready for some football?”

The question itself is rhetorical because it needs no reply. In the United States of America, the answer is understood.

Yes. We’re ready for some football.

We’re always ready for some football.

Anthony Bolante / Reuters Seahawks fan Michael Hammontree shows off his team spirit.

The NFL has become what General Motors used to be, the corporate juggernaut that represents prosperity and power in America. The key difference is that, whereas GM retreated into a cubbyhole as a result of steady advances made by Japanese competitors, professional football is immune from marketplace bogeymen both foreign and domestic.

To put it succinctly, the NFL has it going on.

There are as many reasons for that as there are constituencies among fans. The NFL has its problems, to be sure. But as an entertainment entity, it is a veritable multiplex. It has a little something for everyone, which is primarily why it rules as the real American pastime.

At its core is violence. Although many profess to abhor violence, it is considered acceptable in U.S. homes when it is controlled, regulated, packaged and sold. NFL violence is good violence — the type that occurs on the field, not the nightclub brawl variety.

Slide show Football nation Take a visual tour of NFL stadiums and see fans at their wildest before, during and after games. more photos

The American lifestyle contains its share of stress. There are other outlets in which citizens can release some of that stress, like video games, movies, exercise. But the NFL allows fans to live vicariously through supreme athletic specimens who try to clobber each other for money in a regimented manner. The only thing more satisfying than pulverizing a running back in 20-degree weather is watching someone else do it from the comfort of one’s living room within reach of pizza.

Whether Americans want to admit it or not, most of them enjoy violence. They just don’t want to get their hands dirty. And they’d rather not go to jail.

But that’s only one of the attractions on the NFL marquee.

Women love the hot guys. I have tried to convince many women over the years that just because a man is big, strong, tough, rich and wears tight pants doesn’t mean he’s worthy of being drooled over. Far more often than not, I have failed.

Each year statistics show that more and more women are eschewing marriage. I believe this is not because they are more consumed with their careers, or that they have discovered they don’t need men in their lives to make them happy. I believe it’s because they’re holding out hope that they’ll meet an NFL player. This is a “Be careful what you wish for” red flag for all those guys who prayed that someday their girlfriends or wives would take an interest in football.

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