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How NFL Impacts the Broader Culture, From Casino Games to Music
Photo: Nov 27, 2021; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats offensive lineman Jordan Morgan (77) against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the Territorial Cup at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

How NFL Impacts the Broader Culture, From Casino Games to Music

You surely know that the NFL is much more than just a pastime for many people. It can be a huge part of people's lives, and its impact on broader American and world culture is evidence of this.

From movies to TV shows to casino games and even music and art, the NFL has tendrils that reach into many different aspects of America's cultural fabric.

For many Americans, including yourself, the NFL is far more than just a game to tune into every now and then. It impacts your life and the way you think, and has a ripple effect on many other aspects of the world in which we live. While it is a fantastic spectacle to watch, it is also a lynchpin of American culture and influences many different types of media. The league has tendrils that reach into the creation of casino games, movies, TV shows and even the music industry. With such a wide cultural reach, it's no wonder that many people live their lives by the flight of the pigskin.

Casino Games with NFL Themes Easily Score a Touchdown with Fans

An interesting place that the NFL is beginning to see more representation is in the world of casino gaming. Particularly in online casinos and instant casino platforms, games with NFL themes and featuring NFL stars are beginning to see a wider adoption. This can be linked to the growing legality of online casino platforms in various states across the US, and, of course, to the enduring love that so many Americans have for the NFL.

These games will typically have win lines and animations that reference iconic moments and famous players, or will be branded with specific teams' histories and iconography. Sometimes, the games will even feature exciting and iconic lines from commentators and coaches, all designed to make NFL fans feel like part of the action and bring back moments of passion and excitement from the past. You should expect to see images of past Super Bowls and symbols and animations that hint at touchdown celebrations or relive interesting plays on the field.

Having the NFL represented on online casino platforms isn't just a draw to those platforms for NFL fans. It also broadens the cultural impact of the NFL itself, allowing other people who maybe wouldn't be as interested to develop an attachment if the games that are branded with NFL iconography are good. As online sports betting and casino platforms become legalized and regulated across more of America, it is likely that we will see the NFL's cultural impact in this space even more heavily.

The NFL's Influence on Music

The NFL’s influence on music is far deeper than just giving artists a platform at the Super Bowl halftime show. As a driving force in the lives of many, the NFL has been mentioned in thousands of songs and is an integral part of modern music culture. We're sure you can think of a few songs where musicians have referenced particular games, seasons, teams or even players. 

One thing that many artists like to riff on from the NFL is the resilience, strength and pursuit of greatness that players undertake in their careers. Motivational tracks often name-drop successful or rising stars as a shortcut to evoke images of this reach for greatness and the grind to success that an NFL career is. In particular, hip-hop artists like J. Cole and Jay-Z have frequently used football metaphors in their lyrics to add just the right imagery to their tracks.

When it comes to giving artists a platform, many of America's best performers have had the pleasure of playing Super Bowl halftime shows. While it must be said that these artists are almost all invariably huge stars when they are offered the Super Bowl gig, that doesn't mean that by getting to perform on such a huge platform, they aren't reaching new audiences. Even if the NFL's only connection to music was the platform of the Super Bowl halftime show, that alone leaves a huge cultural footprint.

The Cultural Impact of the NFL on Film and TV

When it comes to measuring the cultural impact of anything, having a look at how frequently it is mentioned or appears as a theme in movies and TV shows is a good yardstick. When it comes to the NFL, it's clear that its cultural impact is significant. Including documentaries, there are far more than fifty different shows, movies and programs that have been made about and around the NFL. 

These movies and shows don't just appeal to fans of the sport, although we're sure you know that they do that pretty well. These pieces of media take appreciation of the sport to a new level and allow fans to view the struggles of teams from a different angle than they normally would. It humanizes the giants of the field and puts their struggles into a more relatable frame that more people can empathize with. 

By allowing people to forge a deeper and more personal connection with NFL stars, these pieces of media broaden the appeal of the sport greatly. These stories usually focus on uplifting themes of overcoming adversity, teamwork, togetherness and the victory of the underdog, all of which are uplifting and positive to view.

The NFL is More Than Just a Game

We're sure you already know, but the NFL is far more than just a game. Not just because it has a special place in the hearts and lives of many, but because it touches and influences the broader American culture. Without the NFL and its stars, America would be a different place entirely, with different values.

The next time you sit down to watch your favorite team, consider how their actions on and off the field have shaped your life and think about the places in your life that have been shaped by the NFL, even when far away from the field.