Not the least bit interested in the Super Bowl but have an upcoming football party or game to attend?
Do you just watch for the butts?
That’s a good thing!
Football can seem overwhelming and intimidating to someone who has felt ostracized by organized sports, with its own language full of terms that are difficult to understand. But don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with an introduction to 10 key football terms that every LGBTQ+ person should know, to help you fake it ’til you make it.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
1. Offense
This term refers to the team trying to score… points and advance down the field toward their opponent’s end… zone. The offense is made up of 11 players, including the quarterback (who calls plays), two running backs, five offensive linemen (who protect the quarterback as he throws or hands off balls), and three “wide receivers” (who try to catch thrown balls). There are multiple double entendres in sports, and gay people typically love to hear the announcers say them, quite unintentionally, such as “the quarterback really jammed that ball into the wide receiver.”
2. Defense
The opposite of the offense, the defense is made up of 11 players who are working together to stop the opposing team from scoring points and moving the ball down the field. They usually line up across from the offense in a formation called the “4-3” and their job is to tackle the runner with the ball or intercept balls thrown by the offense.
3. End Zone
This is the area at each end of the football field where a team aims to score points. Points are scored when an offensive player crosses the end zone with the ball, or if a defensive player recovers a ball or makes and interception carries the ball in their own end zone.
4. Touchdown
A touchdown happens when the offensive team moves the ball into the opposing team’s end zone and scores –they get six points! Yes, that’s right theydies and gentlethems, if you can successfully move a ball across a huge field full of people trying to stop you then what could be better than scoring points? Nothing. That’s what. So trust us when we say touchdown – it’s what it’s all about!
5. Field goal
A field goal is when a team scores three points by kicking the ball through the upright goal posts. While it sounds pretty straightforward, accurately making that kick can be quite a challenge!
Football teams may attempt a field goal for a variety of reasons. Firstly, if the offense is unable to get within close enough range to score a touchdown, they may attempt a field goal instead. Alternatively, teams may opt for a field goal if a successful kick would be more beneficial than risking a turnover (where the other team takes possession of the ball). Or perhaps the coach simply lacks confidence in the offense. In that case, why not just take the easy three points?
Show off and point out what a field goal looks like next time you’re standing around the TV watching a game – plus, it’ll look like you know what’s going on.
Related:
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In a new video, Nassib reflected upon his coming out last summer.
6. Interception
Interceptions happen when a defensive player gets ahold of a pass that was meant for the offensive team’s player. So if you hear someone yell “interception” during a game, that means one team’s player just snatched the ball away from the other team!
Be careful! If you’re not paying close attention, follow your friends’ lead after an interception happens to know whether or not to cheer or be upset when an interception happens.
7. Fumble
A fumble is when a player has possession of the ball, but then accidentally drops it! Fumble isn’t typically as dramatic as an interception and doesn’t always result in the team losing possession of the ball. However, fumbles can be costly depending on what down it is or how far away from the end zone your team was when you lose the ball. It can also be fun as players all dive on the ball at the same time, creating a rugby-like scrum with hot guys digging around.
8. Down
A down in football is the period of time in which a team has possession of the ball and can attempt to move it closer to the end zone. Teams have four downs to move the ball at least ten yards, or else they must turn over possession of the ball to their opposing team.
9. First down
A first down is what lets offensive teams move the ball forward toward the defensive team’s endzone. To get one in play, teams must progress at least ten yards from the point of their original first down ball placement.
If the yardage is achieved within four downs (attempts to move forward), congrats – a first down is achieved! If teams don’t make progress within the four attempts, possession of the ball is forfeited. Of course, it’s always nice to avoid this slow march down the field and throw a long pass which can result in up to 100 yards in a single play. Those are very exciting so clap!
10. Penalty
When a team breaks one of the rules, they’re going to get what they deserve – a penalty! Depending on the infraction, the penalty is severe or mild. You’ll know a penalty happens if there is a “flag on the play.” The flags are little yellow hankies that the referees throw to stop the clock and discuss any repercussions. When a penalty happens, the team who committed it gets punished in some way. Usually, this results in being set back a few yards or having the down taken away from them.
Score! Now you know 10 important football terms
Now that you have all the football terms down, pat yourself on the back! Knowing these important pieces of football lingo might just help you fit in the next time you’re watching a game. And if you’re still feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of this, don’t worry – go grab a drink and mingle with folks who won’t judge you for your lack of football knowledge.
Understanding what people mean by “touchdown” or “interception” signals that you can bring something entertaining and memorable to every conversation about sports.
Follow Queerty on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for more LGBTQ+ news and helpful tips where this came from. Cheers!
Prepuce
What about “tight end”? I watch for the butts, the bulges, and whether and what color jockstrap the players are wearing.
lmdoane55
good point as the last time I was watching football over the Christmas holidays, I didn’t think that some of the players were wearing Jocks and although I was a bit shocked, I was also pleased
SDR94103
they were on to you. The players now wear a tight jockey short kind of thing so they don’t show the jock anymore. Now whatcha gonna do?
Mack
Imdoane55, I agree. The days of the “cups” are gone it seems like. I’ve seen some pretty long snakes under those uniforms in the college games.
nm4047
jock straps are old school, most player wear the lycra form holding skins instead
Man About Town
Oh please, “theydies and gentlethems”? Stand back, I think I’m gonna hurl!
SFMike
Yeah let’s all buy into this professional sports scam the billionaire set has as a hobby and the media uses to sell overpriced ad time.
james7
Five thousand years from now when historians write about America they will be amazed that the highest paid people in our society played games for a living. And that these games became the true religion of the masses. And the Tom Bradys and his lilk became the new saints, worshiped and rewarded accordingly. If the Chinese ever invade America they would do it during the Super Bowl and most Americans wouldn’t even notice.
Mark Smith
A very helpful article since, as everyone knows, LGBTQ+ people don’t like football. Way to cater to those stereotypes, Queerty!
bamboo_child
What a stupid article to assume gay people don’t watch football. Take your tired stereotypes somewhere else
Kangol2
Thank you. It’s pretty homophobic, but you know, Queerty sometimes seems traffics in stereotypes like Stonewall never happened!
UlfRaynor
Exactly, I’m 100% gay and I played football for two years in high school and enjoyed it, though I’m more partial to baseball.
Thad
There’s hockey on earlier in the day. The National Hockey League is miles ahead of the NFL when it comes to policies of LGBT inclusion. Even if it only applies to fans yet. But the Stanley Cup has been to Gay Pride (Chicago 2010) and all 32 teams host Pride events.
fredk
i go to a huge super bowl party annually at a friend’s house and never watch the game. the bar is very well stocked and one of the guests is a straight hottie who does not realize his own hotness.
abfab
his own hotness…………I LOVE THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s a good one.
abfab
And then get ready for it, kids! The repubs and the evangllicals trying to pull a fast one on us.
”HE GETS US” What a huge load of crap that is.
JeffBaker
Seriously, thanks for this! I’m happily married to a guy who knows this stuff backward and forward! Me, I got burned-out on football in Jnr. High!
davidpaul
I don’t understand how or why any LGBTQ+ person could/would associate with such a historically homophobic and hateful sport. Gay men squeal bloody murder when it comes to organized religion but will sit through American team sports just to look at bums and bulges? Both institutions are full of homophobia and an archaic, toxic view of masculinity. I’ll stick to events that don’t make me fear for my life if I have to use the public bathroom.
UlfRaynor
Maybe its because some gay men, like myself, realize that it’s not the sport but the person playing it; and I’ve got news for you, those people are everywhere and not just in sports.
As for your toxic male BS, anytime you’re sick of living your pampered life in a western culture and civilization built by those very same so called toxic males, please feel free to step away from the technological marvels they’ve created to make everyone else’s lives easier, and wander back into the woods and live the life of a hunter/gatherer, far away from the oppression of their patriarchal toxic masculinity.
storm45701
My best lovers in college were the football players, hands down.
Kangol2
Lots of gay / LGBTQ people follow football and other sports, Queerty. It’s 2023, not 1953!