Big Bang Theory

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Leonard is going to Penny’s apartment to watch football with her friends, but he doesn’t understand the game and worries he’ll look stupid. Surprisingly, Sheldon knows a lot about football because he grew up in Texas, where football is extremely popular.

Leonard asks Sheldon to teach him the basics so he can fit in with Penny’s friends, even though Sheldon complains about his childhood memories of watching football with his father.

Sheldon

Leonard

Penny

Howard

Raj

Leonard: We’re watching football. There’s no flu, you know. What is this “sack” statistic they put up there? All I know about Saks is my mother shops there.

Sheldon: “Sacks.” It’s football nomenclature for when a quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage.

Leonard: Huh.

Sheldon: The line of scrimmage is the imaginary transverse line separating the offense from the defense.

Penny: Oh, Sheldon knows football apparently. I mean, Quidditch sure, but football? Sheldon, how do you know this stuff?

Sheldon: I grew up in Texas. Football is ubiquitous in Texas. Pro football, college football, high school football, Pee-Wee football. In fact, every form of football except the original European football, which most Texans believe to be a commie plot.

Leonard: Unbelievable.

Sheldon: If you’re interested, I also know all about frying meat that isn’t chicken as if it were chicken.

Penny: So you could teach me football or chicken-fried meats?

Leonard: Football. I’m going to Penny’s on Saturday to watch a game with her friends, and I don’t want to look like an idiot. I want to blend in.

Sheldon: Want to blend in with Penny’s friends? I think looking like an idiot would be the perfect camouflage.

Leonard: Come on, Sheldon, please teach me football. It'll be fun.

Sheldon: That’s exactly what my father said. “Come to the games. Watch the games.” Week in and week out from the time I was five until I went off to college. Longest seven years of my life.

Leonard: Please. I’m asking you as a friend.

Sheldon: Are you making this a tier-one friendship request?

Leonard: Yes.

Sheldon: Fine.

Leonard: I really appreciate this.

Sheldon: Yeah, yeah. Alright, Poindexter, sit down, shut up, and listen.

Leonard: I’m sorry?

Sheldon: That’s how my father always began our football conversations. And if you’d like, after the game, I'll take you outside and teach you how to shoot close enough to a raccoon that it craps itself.

Line of scrimmage : The imaginary line where the play begins in football
Ubiquitous : Existing everywhere or very common
Blend in : to fit in and not stand out.

Useful Phrase

I really appreciate this : A polite way to thank someone sincerely.

What is a “sack” in football?

Why does Leonard want Sheldon to teach him football?

Listen to the scene and fill in the missing words correctly.

Leonard: We’re watching football. There’s no flu, you know. What is this “sack” statistic they put up there? All I know about Saks is my mother there.

Sheldon: “Sacks.” It’s football for when a quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage.

Leonard: Huh.

Sheldon: The line of scrimmage is the imaginary line separating the offense from the defense.

Penny: Oh, Sheldon knows football apparently. I mean, Quidditch sure, but football? Sheldon, how do you this stuff?

Sheldon: I grew up in Texas. Football is in Texas. Pro football, college football, high school football, Pee-Wee football.

Do you enjoy watching sports? Why or why not?
Have you ever pretended to understand something to fit in with other people?
What sports are most popular in your country or hometown?