When can you say you played in the NFL?

I think anyone in any of those situations would tell you exactly what they did and not mislead anyone.

you must be joking. i know several examples of people claiming to play in the NFL but belong to one of the lower 4 echelons. Consider Colton Underwood, on the Bachelorette right now, for starters

I usually take issue with the people who claim to have been on their way to the Olympics...or "Olympic hopeful".

#5 because a pre season game is an NFL game

Impasta wrote:

Lots of people say they "played in the NFL" without actually stepping foot onto the field in a real NFL game. When do you believe you can truly tell people you played in the NFL?

1. Saw action in a regular season game.

2. Made the 45-man dress list, but didn't play.

3. Made the 53-man roster, but didn't make the 45-man dress list.

4. Made the practice squad, but didn't make the 53-man roster.

5. Played in a pre-season game, but didn't make a practice squad.

6. Suited up for a pre-season game, but didn't play.

7. Made it to camp, but didn't suit up for a pre-season game.

8. Had a tryout for the camp, but didn't get invited to camp.

I think number 3.

I think the answer is in your first sentence, not the list of 8. If you say you "played in the NFL" it should mean you have been, at least once, on the field as a player during an actual game. Preseason doesn't count.

Luv2Run wrote:

I usually take issue with the people who claim to have been on their way to the Olympics...or "Olympic hopeful".

It's amazing how often this happens: Olympic trials qualifiers will be described as Olympians. This was quite common in graduate school although it usually took place when the administration and admissions office was exaggerating the accomplishments of the incoming class. I don't think I've ever heard any OT qualifier describe themselves as an Olympian. It's usually their friends and other lay people.

liars all around wrote:

Consider Colton Underwood, on the Bachelorette right now, for starters

tv people made him do it for sure

liars all around wrote:

Consider Colton Underwood, on the Bachelorette right now, for starters

Why do you know this?

Husband of a 1st cousin of mine was #7. Green Bay Packers. He's in sales. It's part of his sale pitch.

liars all around wrote:

you must be joking. i know several examples of people claiming to play in the NFL but belong to one of the lower 4 echelons. Consider Colton Underwood, on the Bachelorette right now, for starters

That was the impetus for this thread.

I know people who had just a tryout, but claimed they played in the NFL.

Yes, I've also known a person who calls himself an "Olympian" even though he never even made the OT finals. His explanation was that his time was under the Olympic standard, and as far as he was concerned, that made him an Olympian.

I know people who claim they know people who stretch the truth about being in the nfl because they saw one guy do it on the bachelorette

Colton is a liar to begin with. He said in last night's episode he has not brought a girl home ever, but there is a picture of him and Aly Reisman at his house. Also there is no way his relation with Tia is exactly as he advertised.

I know this because I watch the Bachelorette. Get at me.

If it was me saying, "I played in the NFL", I'd use standard #1. No caveats, asterisks, etc....

In this context, "play" is defined as "to contend against in a game," or "to engage in a game," or "to function or perform as (a specified player) in a game or competition." So, using the phrase "played in the NFL" for anything other than 1, and maybe 2 is extremely misleading. One could say "I was in the NFL" to describe 1 through 7.

I'd like to hear Jordan Kent's thoughts on this.

http://www.nfl.com/player/jordankent/2507239/profile

It's sad so many here watch The Bachelorette.

I think if you participated in an official NFL practice and was issued gear from the team, it is worth noting as an NFL experience.

I think that would be a cool accomplishment that many could not attain.

Uncico C.i wrote:

#5 because a pre season game is an NFL game

This nails it exactly.

In the loop wrote:

I'd like to hear Jordan Kent's thoughts on this.

http://www.nfl.com/player/jordankent/2507239/profile

He actually played in games. So he's at level 1.