Fun Fact Friday #1

Today we begin a new segment called Fun Fact Friday. When I watch sports I question random things that are taking place. Why does this happen? Why do the refs do that? What is the origin of that? So, each week I will compile some questions and do some research to find out all the good and random facts that we all are bothered by. Let us begin.

#1 Why does Steph Curry have an extremely pure shot?
Steph has an absolutely smooth and buttery jump shot. He will dribble, dribble some more and then just throw up shot in your face getting nothing but net on almost every occasion. Some of the shots are ridiculous, and I forgot to mention he broke the record for the most 3's in a season. Sports science had the same question in mind and broke down his stroke.


#2 What is the origin of the word 'soccer'?
Contrary to popular belief, the word 'soccer' is not American, but in fact British. Yeah I did not see that coming either. As it turns out, the Brits used the word soccer years before football became the prominent word of identifying this sport. On October 26th, 1863, a group of teams in England decided to get together and create a standard set of rules which would be used at all their matches.  They formed the rules for “Association Football”, with the “Association” distinguishing it from the many other types of football sports in existence in England, such as “Rugby Football”. British school boys of the day liked to nickname everything, which is still somewhat common.  They also liked to add the ending “er” to these nicknames.  Thus Rugby was, at that time, popularly called “Rugger”.  Association Football was then much better known as “Assoccer”, which quickly just became “Soccer” and sometimes “Soccer Football”. For more info click here.

#3 Why are Golden State Warriors called Golden State?
Traditionally a team is named after the city or the state that it is in. The Warriors are named after California's nickname, "The Golden State". The Warriors began in Philadelphia in 1946 but then moved to San Francisco     in 1962. In the late 1960s the Warriors began scheduling an increasing amount of games in the new Oakland Coliseum and moved there in 1971. This is when they also renamed themselves the Golden State Warriors; as to why they chose 'golden state' is up for debate. For me, California Warriors does not flow and Oakland Warriors lets everyone know that this franchise is in a bad city. For more information about old logos, jerseys etc. click here.

If you have any questions for Fun Fact Friday just get in contact with me