Friday open thread: What is your favorite part about the NFL?

Obviously there is a lot going on in the world right now. People (rightfully) feel afraid, sad, frustrated, uncertain, and a whole host of other emotions, and everything seemingly changes by the hour.

Of course health and safety are the most important things here, but we are all also sports fans, and it is impossible to ignore how sports are being affected by what is happening. Basically ever major league is postponing or canceling its competitions, and while football is in the unique position of being one of the few sports currently in the offseason right now (though the XFL was cancelled, too), we all know that the NFL truly never stops. Offseason events are being canceled, the pre-draft process is being limited, and there could be more changes to come. But with all that said, I think we should step back and think about something positive.

Today’s Question of the Day is:

What is your favorite part about the NFL?

My answer: Fantasy football! Just kidding (mostly). If the NFL were to postpone its season like we are currently seeing with the NBA and NHL, I think the impact would be much more devastating. Unlike the other big four US sports leagues, the NFL has just a four to five month window where games are played. We spend over half of the year preparing for the season, and missing any time would sting a lot. (As an aside, a lockout would be awful too).

What I would miss most, though, is just the buzz that the NFL has nationally. All throughout the fall, it seems like water cooler conversations revolve around the NFL and college football, especially for those of us in the state of Michigan. I love watching the games and the analysis and everything that comes with being both a fan and a sports writer, but I also love how the NFL has just become ingrained in our culture during the latter part of the year. Any sort of reduction or delay to the schedule could make that go away.