Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
American football is so big — so braided into our weekends, our language, and our culture — that it can be hard to see it clearly as a whole.
In his new book, Football (amzn.to/4pK7xC0) , Chuck Klosterman helps us see the game from unexpected angles, and argues that football isn’t just a sport, it’s a kind of national operating system. Chuck explains how it became the dominant televised spectacle in America, despite having elements that should count against it. We then explore football as a simulation — of war, of reality, and even of itself — and how its simulation through video games has actually fed back into the sport itself. We also talk about who Chuck thinks is the GOAT (hint: it's not Tom Brady), and the difference between achievement and greatness. At the end of our conversation, Chuck lays out a compelling argument for why football may be headed for a steep and surprising fall.
Resources Related to the Podcast
• AoM Podcast #248: Why Football Matters (artofmanliness.com/character/advice/podcast-248-football-matters/)
• AoM Podcast #1,061: Are You Not Entertained? The Myths and Truths About Roman Gladiators (artofmanliness.com/character/knowledge-of-men/podcast-1061-are-you-not-entertained-the-myths-and-truths-about-roman-gladiators/)
• AoM Podcast #1,044: What Sports Betting Is Really Doing to Players, Games, and Fans (artofmanliness.com/character/behavior/podcast-1044-what-sports-betting-is-really-doing-to-players-games-and-fans/)
Thanks to This Week's Podcast Sponsor
Incogni. (incogni.com/manliness) Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code MANLINESS at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: incogni.com/manliness
American football is so big — so braided into our weekends, our language, and our culture — that it can be hard to see it clearly as a whole.
In his new book, Football (amzn.to/4pK7xC0) , Chuck Klosterman helps us see the game from unexpected angles, and argues that football isn’t just a sport, it’s a kind of national operating system. Chuck explains how it became the dominant televised spectacle in America, despite having elements that should count against it. We then explore football as a simulation — of war, of reality, and even of itself — and how its simulation through video games has actually fed back into the sport itself. We also talk about who Chuck thinks is the GOAT (hint: it's not Tom Brady), and the difference between achievement and greatness. At the end of our conversation, Chuck lays out a compelling argument for why football may be headed for a steep and surprising fall.
Resources Related to the Podcast
• AoM Podcast #248: Why Football Matters (artofmanliness.com/character/advice/podcast-248-football-matters/)
• AoM Podcast #1,061: Are You Not Entertained? The Myths and Truths About Roman Gladiators (artofmanliness.com/character/knowledge-of-men/podcast-1061-are-you-not-entertained-the-myths-and-truths-about-roman-gladiators/)
• AoM Podcast #1,044: What Sports Betting Is Really Doing to Players, Games, and Fans (artofmanliness.com/character/behavior/podcast-1044-what-sports-betting-is-really-doing-to-players-games-and-fans/)
Thanks to This Week's Podcast Sponsor
Incogni. (incogni.com/manliness) Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code MANLINESS at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: incogni.com/manliness
