Costa Rica Federation of American Football – FCFA

Costa Rica's new sport, "American Football"

Every time someone asks the question in Yahoo Answers, “Is  [American] football  played in Costa Rica?” the answers are usually somewhat, rude. “Look idiot, Soccer is Futbul you lame brain!” or  “That’s a stupid American game!”

For years, any American style football played in Costa Rica was usually a bunch of college kids or ex-football players, playing touch or flag on some beach or soccer field, which always got strange stares from the local kids and adults …  but that has all changed.  In March, 2009, two teams went into hard-hitting battle with helmets, pads, cleats and numbered jerseys. Costa Rica Federation of American Football (FCFA) started its first  North American football season on a Sunday afternoon – the Bulldogs vs. the Dragons FA of Cartago.

Back in October of 2008, six teams started training together with over 80% of it members Costa Ricans. And in March, hundreds of fans or probably just the curious, listened to the refereer’s whistles, the sounds of grunts and hits, yelling coaches, and cheering crowd that echoed on an 80 yard long soccer field. (American football field is 100 yards).

Okay – is there interest? Okay, so the field is 20 yards short.  Is Costa Rica following Canada’s  footsteps with Canadian Football that has helped launched the careers of some NFL players?

It has a long way to go – you don’t see to many Costa Rican’s that weigh 300 plus pounds trying out for defensive linemen.  Unlike American kids, who grow up with football in their blood, most of the Tico players had to learn the intricacies of the game from scratch.

What’s this first and second down deal? You get how many point for a goal?-  Excuse me, that’s called, touchdown, son! What do you mean, I can’t kick the ball while running?  Offsides! What the hell is that, Coach?

“@#%&, there is a lot of rules,” one practicing player was quoted. However, the Ticos, whose ages range from 18 to 28 years old with average weight of 190lbs, have “gasps the concept of the game quickly” and have showed a “large amount of discipline,” one of the coaches was quoted.

Is Imperial Beer going to be the first sponsor?

Catching on, or is this just another “Arena Sport” that will soon died?  I guess if Imperil Beer signs a million dollar contract to sponsor, we will assume it will be off to a good start; already two more “expansion teams” have already submitted the paperwork to FCFA and by late 2009, the league is anticipating another two teams, making the league 10 teams.

Sundays opening game ended up in a 19-6 win for the Dragons FA.

Humm  – I can see the football pools aready starting! Yeah, Bodog and BetUS, got the odds and over/under for the next game(s)?

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