If it weren't for awful football clichés, sometimes I wonder how in-game announcers and postgame interviews would sound. If a talking head didn't remind us that a team "came here to play," and if an athlete didn't thank the creator of heaven and earth for enabling him to make that 27-yard game-winning field goal, would there be anything else left to say?
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Sports clichés: You can't live with them, you can't live without them. So let's check out some of the most overused and annoying NFL and college football clichés that need to be removed from the sporting lexicon forever.
Note: The author gave 110% during the writing of this article even though he was on deadline with his back against the wall.
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"Just Taking it One Game at a Time"
What I wouldn't give for a head coach to surprise the media with, "We're taking it two games at a time."
"We're on to Cincinnati" now works in place of this cliché as well.
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"On Any Given Sunday"
What about NFL and college games played on non-Sundays?
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"He Gave 110 Percent Out There"
Every time you hear this ridiculous cliché, I want you to think of this famous Spinal Tap scene.
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"These Guys Came to Play"
As opposed to showing up not to play?
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"Defense Wins Championships"
Except when it doesn't.
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ESPN[/credit]
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"Tremendous Upside"
Watch former Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell praise Corey Fuller's tremendous upside before cutting him after two seasons and one touchdown.
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"They Have Their Backs Against the Wall"
Ah yes, nothing like conjuring up the image of standing against a wall in front of a firing squad to bring the sport of football into focus.
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"Must-Win Game"
Although not football related, asking a manager in jest before game 7 of the World Series is the only time this three-word phrase is acceptable.
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"It is What it is."
This is also an acceptable cliché to give your boss when you complete zero work on a Monday.
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"God Was Looking Out For Us Today"
Is that so?
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"RPO"
This is quickly becoming one of my new "favorites." RPO means "run, pass, option." "Run, pass, option," means the quarterback can run or throw on any given play.
Well, no kidding!
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"This Player Has a High Ceiling"
How would an announcer know anything about the architecture of a player's home?
Also, this saying is not to be confused with the logical and inspiration words, "The ceiling is the roof."
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"This Guy Has a High Motor"
Swapping out "This guy is gritty, gutty" is also acceptable in this case.
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