THE PASSION FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL IN THE US THROUGH THE EYES OF A EUROPEAN
Updated: Apr 16, 2025
Big House, Michigan University Photo Credit: Michigan Wolverines Athletics
Having played American football for almost two decades, I must admit that before moving to Canada, I hadn’t fully grasped the scale and significance of college football in North America.
My focus was mainly on the NFL, and to be completely honest, it wasn’t until the Oregon Ducks started unveiling increasingly stylish gear and uniforms around 2010, during the Marcus Mariota era, that I began paying more attention to the NCAA.
Photo Credit: Oregon Ducks Athletics
Yes, before the start of each season, I eagerly awaited news of the signings for the Black Panthers, the team I played for throughout most of my "career," as well as those of other teams in the league, to identify the universities of international players. Oregon, UC Davis, USC, Hawaii, Florida State, Maryland, Eastern Carolina, Connecticut, Cal, Duke, Colorado, Minnesota, and UCLA are some of the universities I remember whose players went on to compete in the French or European championships, and against whom we had the opportunity to play.
This brought a touch of American football to French fields and, in most cases, a level of play that was clearly above average at the time. Not all of these players were standout starters in their programs, but their participation in the league, along with the knowledge they brought to gameplay and coaching, was undoubtedly beneficial for the development of American football in France.
Some of these North American recruits didn’t stay for the entire season, occasionally feeling homesick after a while. Others returned to the U.S. after just one or two games, leaving their mark by scoring four or five touchdowns per match and rushing for 200 yards—much like a French version of Ashton Jeanty, the current star running back at Boise State.
I often wondered why such dominant players, who had the opportunity to continue playing the sport they loved (albeit at a much lower level), would sometimes choose to return to the U.S. prematurely.
Having visited several universities, especially this season, to cover college football games on American soil, I now better understand the "culture shock" experienced by some of these players who quickly turned back.
Except in Hawaii, where the Rainbow Warriors play in a "temporary" stadium with a more limited capacity, the 12 games I attended this season had an average attendance of 65,000 spectators per game, peaking at 107,000 in Ann Arbor, a suburb of Detroit. Michigan Stadium, nicknamed the "Big House," is the largest stadium in the United States and the third-largest in the world.
To grasp the astronomical enthusiasm for college football in certain regions of the United States, you only need to look at the University of Nebraska, which has been playing to sold-out crowds since 1962—a record of over 400 consecutive games. On average, the Cornhuskers play in front of 86,681 fans since 2022, and the Memorial Stadium has surpassed 31 million total entries since its inception.
The athletic facilities at many of these universities would undoubtedly put some professional teams—across all sports—to shame. The infrastructure is stunning, equipped with cutting-edge technology and design, and schools invest colossal sums into them.
University facilities like Clemson, Texas, Oregon, Notre Dame, and Michigan, to name just a few, embody excellence with modern locker rooms featuring ventilated stainless steel lockers, personalized screens, and bright, refined spaces.
Cryotherapy chambers, hot and cold baths, and counter-current pools ensure optimal recovery. Strategy rooms equipped with touchscreens and advanced technology facilitate video analysis. Indoor synthetic fields with high-end lighting, along with outdoor fields surrounded by stands, complete these impressive setups.
To attract and recruit the best high school or transfer players in the country, it’s essential to have facilities that meet the highest standards, as the competition and the race for modernity are fierce.
When you consider that these young players have already experienced professional-level conditions by European standards—playing most of their games in front of crowds reminiscent of the Stade de France during a World Cup final, in an electric atmosphere fueled by fellow students cheering for their peers, and in rivalries sometimes spanning a century, broadcast to millions of viewers each week—it’s easy to understand the cultural shock they might feel upon arriving in towns with fewer than 40,000 inhabitants. In such places, locker rooms are shared with ten other amateur sports clubs, and the crowd rarely exceeds 400 people. Things have certainly evolved in France over the past 15 years, and while I’m exaggerating a bit for effect, the difference remains striking.
I remember a conversation with an American player who came to play for the Black Panthers in Thonon-les-Bains. He had been a multi-year starter on the offensive line for the Maryland Terrapins.
He told me about being deeply impressed the previous season by the spectacular entrance of the Florida State Seminoles during their conference game in Tallahassee, in a stadium packed to the brim. He recounted this story to me on a bus heading to a Division 2 game against the Toulouse Bears. At the time, I could imagine how much of a contrast it must have been, but after stepping onto NCAA fields myself over the past three months, I now have a much clearer understanding of the disparity he described 30 years ago.
Florida State Seminoles Players Entrance, Photo Credit: Florida State Athletics
College football is the second most popular sport in the United States (when considering the number of fans in stadiums and watching on screens), right behind the NFL.
There is a fervor among certain fans that strongly resembles a form of "sports religion," complete with its own codes, tailgates*, chants, and historic rivalries.
This 2024 season, being at the heart of the sport, its universities, on the sidelines, in press boxes, and at conferences as a media professional has allowed me to better understand the enthusiasm for college football and truly appreciate its magnitude.
After covering the WNBA season, particularly the Seattle Storm, I set myself the challenge of covering 12 consecutive weeks of college football, 12 games as a credentialed media representative. Since late August, I’ve visited several universities (nine in total) and traveled countless kilometers to grow my portfolio, whether by car (5,952 km) to places like Seattle, Oregon, or Pullman, or by plane (27,778 km) to farther destinations like Hawaii, Detroit, Chicago, or Los Angeles from my base in Vancouver.
In some places I’ve visited, there’s little to do in the surrounding area, sometimes for hundreds of kilometers. These are small, quiet "towns" during the week that come alive and shine every Saturday during football season. People of all ages, young and old, converge harmoniously toward the stadium, proudly wearing their team colors, energized by the rhythm of school marching bands.
I now better understand the importance of these rituals where people gather, share, and connect. This “social and football mass” on Saturdays reignites a sense of belonging to a university, a history, and shared symbols. It unites fans of the same team and electrifies crowds as "their players" step into the arena.
Tailgate à l'Université de Notre-Dame, Photo Credit: Visit South Bend
The word "tailgate" refers to the back of pickup trucks or cars, often used as makeshift tables to host festive banquets in the parking lots around the stadium. Fans gather well before kickoff—sometimes at the crack of dawn—to share food, drinks, and good vibes.
The Atmosphere
Imagine a massive outdoor festival where every group of supporters sets up their own mini-camp. Tents, barbecues, folding tables, and comfy chairs take over the parking lots. Team colors are everywhere: banners, flags, clothing, and even car decorations. Music fills the air, blending team anthems, classic rock hits, and energetic tunes that pump up the crowd.
Food and Drinks
Barbecue is the centerpiece of any tailgate. Burgers, hot dogs, ribs, chicken wings, and other grilled delights are often paired with classic sides like mac and cheese, chips, potato salads, or homemade brownies. On the beverage side, beer flows freely, but fans also get creative with homemade cocktails or thermoses of hot chocolate when the weather turns chilly.
Activities
Tailgates are also about fun and games. Popular activities include cornhole (tossing bean bags into holes on inclined boards) and beer pong. Some fans go the extra mile by organizing mini-concerts or showing replays of previous games on portable screens. For kids, balloons and games are often part of the setup, making the event family-friendly.
A Moment of Togetherness
Tailgating is a unique experience where fans come together to share their love for football and their team. Whether you're a student, an alum, or simply a passionate sports fan, these gatherings welcome everyone with open arms, fostering a sense of community centered around a shared passion.
In Summary
Attending a tailgate means immersing yourself in a world where sports, food, and camaraderie come together to kick off an unforgettable day. Even before the game starts, the atmosphere is electric, offering a preview of the energy that will soon light up the stadium.
Comments