A common debate amongst sports fans since the dawn of time has been, which sports houses the most athletic individuals. The answer however is simple, obvious, and not even debatable.

Rugby.

Rugby requires more athleticism per person than any other sports put together, with maybe hockey being a distant second.  Now I’m not discrediting the talent needed to play any of these sports but if you can’t acknowledge that rugby players are in a league of their own then you are delusional and honestly that’s okay. Most sports fans are.

If we take a look at some other sports, say football, or basketball for example it becomes clear that they can’t compare.  Football undoubtedly requires speed, power, endurance, intelligence, finesse, and for the most part resembles rugby in a lot of ways.  There is one thing holding it back though.  Kickers.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s one of the most important players on the field, just look at the Adam Vinateri’s role in the Pat’s first couple super bowl wins.  But watching a kicker try to tackle a kick returner is embarrassing and sad.

Football requires such specialization that no one would be able to play all 11 positions on the field.  Its not a fault to the system, just the recognition that teams have a better chance to win games if they put the big boys on the line and the skinny ones out on the side.  Rugby is different.

Rugby requires all the skills of football, with the added endurance of soccer, and the mentality of wrestling.  Rugby requires a special kind of crazy that you have to respect.

Honestly most sports aren’t even close.  Golf? Give me a break.  Lacrosse? Next question.  Baseball? Bartolo Colon.  Hockey? Okay, I get that, but here’s why it’s wrong.

Hockey is all about the well-rounded athlete.  They need speed, finesse, stamina and extreme coordination.  Anyone can run around, but most people can’t skate.  And amongst those that can skate, talk to me when you can skate backwards.  A select few children, who from the age of around 2, 2 and half, started skating, and I am convinced that if you missed out on that valuable window you will never be able to skate.  So they have that going for them.  Next look up a Pavel Datsyuk on Youtube, and in three days you’ll find yourself in a pool of your own urine because you’ve been unable to move because his hands are so mesmerizing.  So they have that going for them, that Russian Magician.

But here is the kicker.  The one aspect that Hockey cannot compete with.  They stop.  All the time.  Shifts go like 2, maybe 3 minutes max, they have 2 intermissions, and whistles all the time.  Rugby never stops.  And when it does, they start play immediately in a hellish looking pile called a scrum.

In short, if you don’t watch rugby you should.  It’s absurd.  Plus, one of the positions is called the hooker, so you can giggle about that.  Do yourself a favor and look up some rugby highlights, and do yourself another favor and change your pants afterward.