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There's nothing inherently wrong with football, but the place it has come to occupy in our economy and national culture is a symptom of a serious problem. And the example you cited about soccer in Europe is a perfect parallel. Sitting around watching someone else play a game -- especially if you are young enough and healthy enough to play the game yourself -- is a symptom of a dying nation. Look up "Roman Empire" and "bread and circuses" for an illustration of this.

To me, this is soccer:

And this is nothing more than an entertainment extravaganza:

If I was a soccer fan, I'd give up the second one and spend more time on the first.

It seems to me there are few enough things a man can do with his family and friends that are wholesome. Attending a baseball, football, or basketball game, or a hockey match is not a symptom of a problem.

It is a obviously a spectator sport event. I see no problem with that. I played organized baseball and softball for 25 years of my life, and played sand lot ball for ten more. I spent countless hours practicing before I could play well enough to join in with others. Watching, is not a symptom of decline.

Families gather to watch the game and socialize. It’s simply a pass-time, and a good one. It is very healthy to participate in this.

While I do see some problems, talking down this method of entertainment is misguided IMO.

If we’re going to talk down spectator situations, we can’t go to the movies, plays, or the opera either.

Spelling bees would be off limits. All these things would only be okay if we were doing them and nobody was watching.