Compare the NFL to the Military

Lonestar94

Lonestar94

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Who do you think has it harder, a top notch NFL player, or the military? Specifically special forces like Navy Seals or SAS.

Since Jerry Rice is the greatest football player of all time, is it easy to say he could make it as a Navy Seal? What about Walter Payton? What NFL players do you think could make it as a Navy Seal?

Basically my question is is how HARD is it being the best of the best compared to some of the hardest training in the world.
 
Special forces are a whole new ballgame. Not only does it take top-notch physical condition, but the mentality must be there. If your mind thinks you don't want it bad enough, you won't make it.

Even the best of the best athletes in the world would struggle to keep up in training. I believe it is more mental than physical to get to become a SEAL or whatever special force.

A player I think that would have had a chance is Herschel Walker. Jerry would have went home crying to mommy, at least I hope :D
 
I think becoming an Olympic athlete would require the highest level of physical training...there are alot of fat out of shape football players.
 
Stryker44 said:
I think becoming an Olympic athlete would require the highest level of physical training...there are alot of fat out of shape football players.
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Actually ran a 5k against a former Olympian a couple of years ago. I didn't know who he was or why he was in this race. I googled him afterwards and found out he has the fastest mile in the U.S.

Yeah, he smoked everyone and you'd have a better chance of winning the lottery than beating him.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Webb_(athlete)
 
Ask yourself this question, if you absolutely had to choose someone to cover your butt in a life or death fight, which organization would you pick...... Professional athlete, or creame de la creame of the special military units?
 
My uncle was a SEAL Officer for 20 years. He was also one of the most successful boxers in Naval Academy history and currently on the USA boxing board. So, in that regard he was a very good athlete that became SEAL. I think you have to be physically gifted to be in the special forces (you could work hard and meet the physical requirements), but it is definitely more mental than physical. It is insane what they have to go through mentally. I've always been inspired by him and look up to SEALs and how dedicated they are.



Parts 2-6 are on YouTube, I'd recommend watching.
 
being a SEAL means you are never really off duty. Unlike an Olympian or NFL player, there are no schedules when you will be up to bat. No offseason. Think on that.
 
Also in the Military you can't question authority. ideally, it would be the same thing with the football coach, but I think we have all seen some sideline antics and heard some after-game interviews where the coach's instructions aren't exactly honored.
 
I am agreeing that being a special forces guy take a rare individual. Best of the best, top of the line.

Having said that, .. I think that guys that have the kind of work ethic of say a Herschel Walker, Jerry Rice, Walter Payton, etc., .. could have at one time become a special forces guy.

p.s. when I first read the thread title, .. the first thing that popped in my mind at KW Jr. .. "I'm an 'efing' soldier !!" LOL
 
Lonestar94 said:
Who do you think has it harder, a top notch NFL player, or the military? Specifically special forces like Navy Seals or SAS.

Since Jerry Rice is the greatest football player of all time, is it easy to say he could make it as a Navy Seal? What about Walter Payton? What NFL players do you think could make it as a Navy Seal?

Basically my question is is how HARD is it being the best of the best compared to some of the hardest training in the world.
Click to expand...

Nothing compares to dodging bullets coming at you from down range and seeing one blow the left side of your buddies head completely off. It's shocking someone would even try to compare the two.
 
AmberBeer said:
Nothing compares to dodging bullets coming at you from down range and seeing one blow the left side of your buddies head completely off. It's shocking someone would even try to compare the two.
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Sorry if I offended you. But you think since these guys make millions i would be able to.
 
How bout this: If you took the best special forces in the world and turned them all into football players. Is it safe to say they'd all put jerry rice to shame?
 
Lonestar94 said:
Sorry if I offended you. But you think since these guys make millions i would be able to.
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It takes more than physical abilities to make an elite warrior. They would be just like any others starting out. Some would make it and some wouldn't. I've seen a 5' 140 lb pimpled face kid who I would trust with my daughters life and 240 lb 6'4" "stud" that I would frag myself.
 
Lonestar94 said:
How bout this: If you took the best special forces in the world and turned them all into football players. Is it safe to say they'd all put jerry rice to shame?
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To shame at what?

Survival yes, .. catching a football and running for TD's, no.
 
During my time in the USMC I knew several Navy Seals on Coronado Island and more then once took some nice but grueling beach runs with them. There is no comparison between special forces{Seals, SAS, French Foreign Legion, etc} to the NFL.
None whatsoever...and it isn't even close.
 
Evidently a former 49ers RB, Glen Coffee, in trying to become a Green Beret. Pat Tillman was a Ranger. So it can be done.
 
I don't know if there is any correlation between the two. Being a top football player doesn't necessarily qualify one to be a top special forces member. The same holds true in the other direction. A top special forces person still may not have what it takes to be a top player in the NFL. Both are unique and specialized fields. There may be a few guys throughout history that could do both, but to do both at an extremely high level is probably very rare. Consider that just being in the NFL or being in the special forces already places one at a high level, but talking about the absolute best of the best in either is a whole other level.
 
Most pro athletes start playing their sport at a young age and evolve into who they are. A Navy SEAL is made from day one to do his craft. It takes a special type of person to become an elite soldier in the special forces of the Military.

I doubt that 2% of NFL players could become Navy SEALS. 70% of candidates never make it past Phase 1.

You can make a mistake playing at a high level in a sport. You cannot make a mistake during combat.
 
Lonestar94 said:
Who do you think has it harder, a top notch NFL player, or the military? Specifically special forces like Navy Seals or SAS.

Since Jerry Rice is the greatest football player of all time, is it easy to say he could make it as a Navy Seal? What about Walter Payton? What NFL players do you think could make it as a Navy Seal?

Basically my question is is how HARD is it being the best of the best compared to some of the hardest training in the world.
Click to expand...


lol Jerry Rice probably could not even qualify to become a Navy SEAL.

http://www.navy.com/careers/special-operations/seals.html

The above is NOT training camp!
 
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