I am not the world's bigest football fan. I do, however, occasionally watch games. This is for the sheer humor value of the announcers' inane patter. You might be amazed (or maybe you wouldn't) at the number of times the announcers use the phrase 'big play'. It is as if they don't know any other flattering way to describe a good bit of game. This, in my mind, can be one of the most entertaining parts of a football game. My friends agree, and we have instituted the 'big play bet'. We all contribute a couple of dollars to a pool, and choose a number which we think will be close to the number of times that 'big play' will be used in the game. Then we count up the number of times the announcers use a variation on the phrase 'big play'. The person closest to the correct number wins the pool. The rules are as follows:
(1) Every individual use of 'big play' will be counted once toward the total.
(2) To qualify as a use of 'big play', the adjective big must modify the noun play. The words may be separated, but must be used in this manner.
(3) Any use of the root word big which is used as an adjective is acceptable in this context (eg bigger, biggest). Simple, one syllable synonyms of big (such as huge) that are used in this manner may also be counted.
(4) Any use of the root word play which is used as a noun is acceptable in this context (eg play, plays), except for the word player(s)
(5) Each counted use of the phrase 'big play' must be used by a sports announcer or related staff during the course of the game (halftime interviews count). Any use that is by a participant in the game (eg a coach or player), an NFL official, or by an outside person (eg fan, doctor, cheerleader) do not count.
(6) The phrase must be used in a manner which is clearly audible to the television viewer, though it need not be intended to be audible.
(7) In the event that there is controversy about the rules, a vote will be taken of the participants, and a majority decision is binding.
Optional Rules
(1) If the phrase 'big play' is written on the screen a la John Madden, it counts toward the total.
(2) If the announcers begin to tease or joke with each other about their use of 'big play' the person who has chosen the largest number will win the bet automatically.
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