Randomly found this thread. Why does there necessarily have to be a choice? If you prefer freestyle to football, no problem. If you prefer football to freestyle, no problem.
Tom's story was kind of interesting. Fortunately for him, it has worked out pretty well. He has become fairly successful as a freestyler. Now, I don't think he had to quit football to do this. He could easily have continued with both, but that was his decision. I don't agree with the way he said his teammates treated him, but I understand how they may feel bitter. I've had friends quit football for different reasons, and most of the team felt similar about it.
The fact of the matter is they are both two great sports. Most of us started about playing or watching football in some manner. Maybe not all of us played on a team or at a decent level, but we kicked the ball with our friends or something. This enjoyment of football at one point is why we became interested in freestyle. Freestyle for some may be far more enjoyable now, and I'm happy for anyone that feels this way. I just don't like the whole Freestyle vs Football mentality that many have. If you don't like the other, ignore it.
Another point, Adi mentioned something on this earlier. Most footballers that dislike freestyle are the less technical and skillful players. Many times, they just plain suck at football. I think many of the freestylers that hate football either had a bad experience in football one time or another from a bad coach or they just plain sucked at it. Neither reason is a legitimate reason to hate on the other, so just ignore what you don't like and enjoy what you do like.
