Banned for, I usually say that 
Well, first off, American football isn't Rugby, it's football. See the NFL.
No, American football IS called Rugby 
If I am not mistaken, the British started playing it, and it spread across North America, Canada, and Australia. Its basically the same sport, but the rules may change from one country to another. I'm sure NFL has its own unique rules, but its still essentially the same sport.
Banned for not knowing that.
Second, it started with baseball playing the national anthem during the world series pre game warm ups during the last year of world war 1 to show that major league baseball was patriotically American and supported our troops and democracy... Blah blah blah... During one such warm up, the BoSox and the Cubs players all lined up and faced the flag and saluted it which in turn got the crowd to sing along. Thus a tradition was born. Other sports played here in the US followed suit playing the national anthem during pregame warm ups and over the past almost century of doing that, it's now something that just happens before every sporting event.
Scoutdog said its annoying, and I fully agree with him 
Hell even I, (a Greek), can recognize the US national anthem any time of the day. Why? Because I've listened to it in dozens of Hollywood movies. And that alone says a lot.
Consider it American pride, patriotism, tradition, whatever... I like it being sung before every event. It's really the only time I get to see people from the US actually show any pride in their country en masse.
And what is it that makes you feel pride for your country?
Name a few things please.
In Grenada and in the Caribbean in General we play the national Anthem before every sporting event. Whether it it be international, national or even if its just some kids having a primary school track meet. You want to hav an opening for your resturant? Anthem. Your hosting a show? Anthem. Your singing the Anthem? Sing it again
LOLZ 
You're taking a dump? Anthem. You're making an omelet? Anthem. You're having sex? Anthem. You just stepped on a pile of dog sh!t? Anthem. You're burning your country's flag? Anthem.
Ah anyway, I know Altaux was being sarcastic, but to the few people who are smart enough to realize this, it is quite clear that each and every government in the world does something, (even if sometimes isnt enough) to make people proud of their country, so that they continue to support the system.
And what better way is than taking a beautiful song, that touches your heart, and naming it 'national anthem'?
Then just have people listen to it a few thousand times, and you got yourself more patriots than you can count. Throw in some bullshit speeches from the President, and you're all set.
Now is the part where a bunch of people are insulted, because they are so-called "patriots", and they rush to tell me I'm being offensive to their countries, and that I should shut up 
Banned because that must get kind of annoying.
I know what you mean.
