NFL: Live action or scripted television?

The National Football League (NFL) has been around for more than one hundred years. It was first known as the American Professional Sports Association back in 1920 and is now known as the NFL of course. Its history speaks for itself. The NFL has given me entertainment for a lifetime. Throughout the leagues successes, however, also bring questions from those within the NFL universe.

Theories of the National Football League being scripted have been brought to light in the past months.

Former NFL running back Arian Foster started tossing around the idea and went as far to say that players receive “scripts” during training camps and then have to practice them. My thoughts on that-I think that is absurd. If this were true, I believe these ideas would’ve been talked about years back. I just cannot bring myself to think that all of that blood, sweat, and those tears shred back in high school and college would not pay off once players get to the pros.

Back in February of this year, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 after what I thought was a weak holding call by officials in Super Bowl 57. Because of this call by referees, fans were outraged and disappointed with the late game decision. The call also, and once again, ignited people to talk about how the league may be scripted.

One Twitter user stated, “I never believed in the ‘scripted’ NFL conspiracy theory until this Super Bowl.”

Look, referees have a really tough job taking the heat from coaches, players, and fans. I can see how this call had people questioning a lot of things. I’ll admit, I wondered too. It just wouldn’t make sense if it were factual though. It would be a huge let down if the rumor came to be true, and that’s why it’s not. At first I seriously considered that this league possibly could have lines to follow after watching Super Bowl 57. Though that was just because of my dislike of the Kansas City Chiefs in a normal, friendly, fan-like way. I joked around with the scripted idea and so did players in the league.

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons gave a funny response on Twitter about these theories floating around. “Smh, I might show the script from the playoffs!!,” he said.

Let’s face reality in all seriousness though. An opportunity like the NFL requires everything from an athlete wishing to be there. That is why the league is not scripted. You and I can make jokes with the idea all we want. But when it comes down to solemnity, this league was created to raise standards within American football in all ways possible. It’s an experience like no other, for us as fans, and for the players who grind it out each and every day.