cause for the increased level of athleticism in the NFL?

[spolcyc]

The increase of athleticism in the NFL within the last ten years is obvious. I just want to know your guys' opinions on what has caused it.

My personal opinion is that the NFL reached the inner city/low income youth and they suddenly realized they could make huge sums of money in the NFL. Along with being far more likely to be able to make it to the NFL (53 man rosters) vs an effective 8 man rotation. However this is part of a bigger trend amongst all races to gravitate to playing football when they made have not had a thought of it prior.

The influx of athleticism has been astounding. Players like JPP, Julius Peppers, Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates and many others have brought a new level of all around athleticism into the game that has never been seen before. I know I for one am very excited to see what is coming up in the pipeline as the NFL dominates American sports today.

 

[Yoshimitsu]

The athlete has evolved around all of sports because of what kind of work these guys do at a young age. There are highschool students and middle school kids that are already 6-7 270.

 

[RastaRocket]

I think it is a combination of many factors.

Science and Research: Diet & Nutrition, supplements, medical science (recover faster, heal faster, etc...), training routines improved and studied over time. Increase in technology and so on...

High demand profession: Who doesn't want to be an NFL player? Little room for error the competition is so high. Increase in money and fame plays a role in this to.

Many other things I'm not thinking about on the top of my head...

Put it all in a blender and you get super athletes.

 

[Hoofbite]

Not really sure it's so much about reaching any specific demographic. I don't think it's inner city kids, per se. Sure, they increased the amount of people who are shooting for the moon but I wouldn't say that inner city kids are inherently more athletic, not that I am attributing that claim to you.

I think it's just the nature of sports.

The following generations are always two or three steps ahead which is why guys who can bridge generations and play a high level are legends.

I think the increase in athleticism is just a product of rigorous training that starts at a very young age.

Guys dedicate their lives to being a football player, or basketball player, or baseball player. Why does Texas, California and Florida constantly crank out top notch recruits? Are these states any more athletic than others? No but football is practically a way of life.

Dominican Republic and baseball. It's a way of life.

 

[Aikbach]

The professional training regimens at top flight American universities have been laboratories for creating super athletes. Half of 2012 global Olympians trained in the United States.

 

[RastaRocket]

Rocky IV was released?

[youtube]K5fXbEivWec[/youtube]

 

[visionary]

Ped Ped Ped

 

[YosemiteSam]

I think it is a combination of many factors.

Science and Research: Diet & Nutrition, supplements, medical science (recover faster, heal faster, etc...), training routines improved and studied over time. Increase in technology and so on...

High demand profession: Who doesn't want to be an NFL player? Little room for error the competition is so high. Increase in money and fame plays a role in this to.

Many other things I'm not thinking about on the top of my head...

Put it all in a blender and you get super athletes.

Lets not forget PEDs too.

 

[StarBoyz83]

Steroids / testosterone

 

[DFWJC]

Plenty of good comments already on this.

of course, the increase has not occurred just in the last 10 years. You can go back each decade and see noticeable changes. That's why it's a bit comical to try to compare players across eras--a guy who played in the 70s would be bigger, strong and faster if he played now than he was then, given all the advancements in training and nutrition beginning at young ages.

Plus it's a a 10-12 month game now, where it used to be 6-7 months tops.

Many other factors too.

 

[erod]

The most dramatic difference is the evolution of Performance Enhancing Drugs, and the ability to mask them for testing.

Sorry, but it's true. The rest of us aren't bigger and stronger. Only the professional athletes.

 

[Hook'em#11]

McDonalds.


Those Big Macs man.

 

[Supercowboy1986]

Not really sure it's so much about reaching any specific demographic. I don't think it's inner city kids, per se. Sure, they increased the amount of people who are shooting for the moon but I wouldn't say that inner city kids are inherently more athletic, not that I am attributing that claim to you.

I think it's just the nature of sports.

The following generations are always two or three steps ahead which is why guys who can bridge generations and play a high level are legends.

I think the increase in athleticism is just a product of rigorous training that starts at a very young age.

Guys dedicate their lives to being a football player, or basketball player, or baseball player. Why does Texas, California and Florida constantly crank out top notch recruits? Are these states any more athletic than others? No but football is practically a way of life.

Dominican Republic and baseball. It's a way of life.

this. i was going to write this almost word for word but you beat me to it . but going back to inner city youths.. i do not think that's where all the talent is coming from, you cant forget country boys (i.e. larry allen) and high school power houses such as South Lake Carrol and Westlake. if anything those kids at the schools with more budget have a very big advantage especially now a days. they can afford for better facilities, better coaches, and not to mention all those summer camps. it also helps to be able to afford the perfect diet.

 

[JD_KaPow]

Money.

1. Free agency and the higher salaries associated with it. More desirable profession -> more people try to enter it -> more competitive -> higher quality players. Even the most naturally talented players have to work harder to stay competitive (improved diet, strength, conditioning, and yes, PEDs follow).

2. Top college teams make huge amounts of money. Far more aggressive recruiting -> more HS players reached and evaluated -> higher quality players.

3. Huge profits in college and pros. More money invested in scouting, training, conditioning, etc. Players benefit from the latest and greatest advances in training equipment and methods.