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The family resemblance between football and war is, indeed, striking. Their languages are similar: field general, long bomb, blitz, take a shot, front line, pursuit, good hit, the draft and so on. Their principles and practices are alike: mass hysteria, the art of intimidation, absolute command and total obedience, territorial aggression, censorship, inflated insignia and propaganda, blackboard maneuvers and strategies, drills, uniforms, formations, marching bands and training camps. And the virtues they celebrate are almost identical: hyper-aggressiveness, coolness under fire and suicidal bravery.
One difference between war and football, though, ist that there is little or no protest against football.
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