Why do footballers spit so much?

[SideWinder]

Well, not just footballers obviously but sportsmen in general...

 

[Snakedoctor]

Yes, it's vile and people copy them and do it in the street. It used to be against the law, it should be.

 

[wedgie]

Never played football before?

 

[Defcon5]

They think it makes them look cool

 

[SideWinder]

Never played football before?

Of course but why the need to spit...i was under the impression salvia was good for the body.

 

[Greenlizard0]

Never played football before?

Exactly or any other sport? You sometimes need to spit it out and clear your throat.

 

[wedgie]

While you often see someone spitting, how often is it any single player throughout the game?

Spit > Swallow

 

[Defcon5]

Spit > Swallow

 

[SideWinder]

But what are you spitting out?

 

[wedgie]

 

[Saint]

But what are you spitting out?

excess saliva. It happens when you exercise...

 

[Shamikebab]

Yeah I spit occasionally when playing but try not to do it excessively. Sometimes its just necessary

 

[Nismo]

I have this argument with my GF, yes it's disgusting but when you're running around and getting a dry throat it just seems a natural reaction. Hard to explain it convincingly unless you are in that situation I guess.

I doubt any player does it to make themselves look 'cool', unlike chav kids you see spitting every 5 yards they walk.

 

["andy"]

It used to be against the law, it should be.

what harm is it ?

 

[Nismo]

what harm is it ?

Spreads disease for a start (according to the mad hippy woman in our office at work anyway), plus it's not exactly pleasant to see a lump of phlegm on the pavement, is it?

 

[Defcon5]

I doubt any player does it to make themselves look 'cool', unlike chav kids you see spitting every 5 yards they walk.

Unfortunatly I would guess that is where they picked it up from

 

[Nismo]

Unfortunatly I would guess that is where they picked it up from

Possibly, I'm not totally convinced by that argument though.

 

[Greenlizard0]

Spreads disease for a start

That's true, one of the Hep's is spreadable by spitting which is why e.g. police officers who are spat on after nights out have tests if memory serves correct.

 

[wedgie]

Possibly, I'm not totally convinced by that argument though.

Me neither. I think people are sometimes given all the credit of a bunch of morons who do whatever they see the pro's do.

Build up of saliva is natural, it has to go somewhere, who would actually want to swallow it?

 

[Nismo]

I'll just add that often you will see long distance runners spitting for the same reason, footballers only get stick for it because they are 'seen' more on TV.