OpenTube

Is Rugby the Most HONORABLE Sport? | American Reacts

Michael Flanders

98,314 views

⭐ Want more?
Explore a growing library of exclusive reactions, in-depth documentaries, and Michael's Notebook video essays—available only on Patreon.

👉 Patreon:
Patreon: MichaelFlanders
____________________

In this reaction video, I discover the incredible level of respect shown in rugby. From players protecting injured opponents to the way teams treat referees and rivals after intense matches, rugby culture highlights sportsmanship in a way that surprised me. Watching these moments made me appreciate why rugby is often called one of the most respectful sports in the world.

If you're new to rugby like I am, these moments show why fans admire the game so much — not just for the physicality, but for the respect between players even after brutal competition.

I'm a sports fan from the U.S. discovering the world's greatest sports one game at a time.

🤝 Support the channel:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/michaelf...

Your support helps make it possible for me to keep bringing you reactions to incredible sports moments from around the world. Thank you!

📺 Subscribe for more sports reactions:
@michaelflandersproject

📩 Contact me: michael@michaelflanders.com

🌐 Website: https://www.michaelflanders.com

🔗 ORIGINAL VIDEO: Moments of Respect in Rugby

📂 Explore more reactions by sport:

Cricket – An American Reacts: Discovering Cricket – An American Reacts

Hurling – An American Reacts: Discovering Hurling – An American Reacts

Football – An American Reacts: Discovering Football – An American Reacts ...

Sports & Fan Culture – American Reactions: Discovering Sports & Fan Culture – An Amer...

Rugby – Hits, Heroes & Heart: Discovering Rugby – Hits, Heroes & Heart

Aussie Rules – An American Reacts: Discovering Aussie Rules Football – An Ame...

EuroLeague – An NBA Fan Reacts: Discovering EuroLeague Basketball – An NBA...

Which moment stood out most to you?
Share your thoughts in the comments — I try to read every one.

#Rugby
#Sportsmanship
#RespectInSports

20 Comments

@MichaelFlandersProject Creator 2 months ago Pinned

⭐ Thanks for watching! If you'd like to explore even more, I've created a Patreon with a growing library of exclusive reactions, in-depth documentaries, and Michael's Notebook video essays.

👉 https://www.patreon.com/MichaelFlanders

@haseenah2923 6 months ago (edited)

Rugby fans understand that players from opposing teams are rivals, not enemies.

@Venomroos 6 months ago

In Rugby the fans expect players to respect each-other.

@RalphHarrison-w9i 6 months ago

The forming of an aisle for the other team which is done by both sides happens at the end of every single rugby match and begins from the first match you play in school.

@darthbuzz1 6 months ago (edited)

Football - A gentelman's game played by hooligans.
Rugby - A hooligan's game played by gentlemen. And absolutely ZERO hooligans in the crowd.
Love from England.

@nikolaomaiava 6 months ago

That's the thing with Rugby players, everybody else's well-being is more important than their own.

@clementgou5172 6 months ago

thank you, im french, and i was hoping that americans can see what rugby is really about.

@André-MichelMoussa 6 months ago

And also - from an old french movie - I may add one of my own : In that movie, there is one famous quote : 'When the two hundred pound men speak, the one hundred pound men listen. Rugby is the exact converse : when the one hundred pound referee speaks, the two hundred pound players listen'

@d-docnemesis7925 6 months ago

What I also always appreciate is when players leave the pitch, the fans (often of both teams) will cheer for them & when someone gets injured the stadium often goes dead quiet until there's confirmation that they're okay.

@annedwards4976 4 months ago (edited)

It's lovely to see one of the toughest and roughest games are based on respect for the other opponent

@SuperMcSanpplezz 6 months ago

10:12 - that's Siya Kolisi, the captain of the Springboks telling the ref he didn't score a try.

@rastanz 5 months ago

It's not the sport that makes the game honorable, it's the players in the team.

@susanar5468 5 months ago

Rugby reminds us that competition can be civilised and that the game will not be compromised.
Rugby exemplifies the best of humanity

@jasonvanwyk9943 6 months ago

Honour - Respect - Always - we must never loose this as humanity!

@Imbulc 5 months ago

We need to fight to keep things honourable at International level. In the 2023 RWC and since we had players mocking beaten opponents after the final whistle and even gesturing at opposing crowds. We need to strongly reject these trends.

@michaelrothwell2988 6 months ago

A Kiwi in the netherlands here, I have been youth trainer and coach here. We are all really strict on the respect and discipline aspects. If you dont have that there then there is going to be some horrible injuries. Its absolutely crucial. we only tend to get problems when football parents come to watch their rugby child for the first couple of times. real rugby fans all understand the respect aspect.

@janinshirley 6 months ago (edited)

Towards the end of the video the player in the black and white shirt, was playing his last game. He had played many times for Ulster, Ireland and I think the British and Irish Lions. His name is Rory Best

@davidclerk4132 4 months ago

Players finish every game with a handshake or hug for every member of yours and the opposing team. It represents a well done out there. we hope you had fun, mow let's.go and get a bloody beer!!

@EricDufau 6 months ago

1970s, Wales vs Ireland. The Welsh player is Gareth Edwards, a rugby legend.

@rittherugger160 6 months ago (edited)

In America we almost never have what is called "representative competitions'. What I'm talking about is teams selected from the best players selected from, say a state, to play teams from other states culminating in a championship. That's where players who play against each other one week could be playing with each other the next.
That is how you can become friends with your enemy.
In pro rugby the jerseys are one and done. They are embroidered with the date, the opponent and the competition. Players are free to keep, trade, give, sell or donate them at will. To be honest, if you play 30 matches a year it doesn't take long for you closet to be too full to keep them all so it's nice to trade them.
The clapping off is done at pretty much every match always.