John Edwards and American football: Difference between pages

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<!--NOTE TO EDITORS -- Remember, this is an *introductory* article to American football. It exists to give people who know little or nothing about the sport a basic understanding of the game. Information that does not fall under that description should go under [[American-football strategy]], [[American football rules]], etc. -->[[Image:Giants Stadium.jpg|right|thumb|270px|[[Giants Stadium]], home to the [[National Football League|National Football League's]] [[New York Giants]] and [[New York Jets]]]]

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{{for|the disbanded American indie rock band|American Football (band)}}

{{for|the playing of football (soccer) in the United States|Soccer in the United States}}

'''American football''', known in the [[United States]] and [[Canada]] simply as '''football'''<ref>In North America, the term "football" may refer to either American football or to the similar sport of [[Canadian football]], the meaning usually being clear from the context. This article describes the American variant.</ref> (or sometimes as '''gridiron''' or '''[[gridiron football]]'''), is a competitive [[team sport]] known for its physical roughness despite being a highly strategic game. The object of the game is to score points by advancing the [[prolate spheroid]] ball into the opposing team's [[end zone]]. The ball can be advanced by carrying it (a running play) or by throwing it to a teammate (a passing play). Points can be scored in a variety of ways, including carrying the ball over the goal line, throwing the ball to another player past the goal line or [[placekicker|kicking]] it through the goal posts on the opposing side. The winner is the team with the most points when the time expires and the last play ends.

{{dablink|This article is about the American attorney and politician. For other people, see [[John Edwards (disambiguation)]].}}

Outside the United States and Canada, the sport is referred to as '''American football''', or called by the word which translated "American football" into a language of those countries to differentiate it from other [[football]] games.

{{Infobox Senator | name=John Reid Edwards

For example, if it is the Spanish bloc, it is called '''fútbol americano'''.

| nationality=American

| image name=John Edwards, official Senate photo portrait.jpg

| jr/sr=United States Senator

| state=[[North Carolina]]

| party=[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]

| term=[[January 6]], [[1999]]&ndash;[[January 3]], [[2005]]

| preceded=[[Lauch Faircloth]]

| succeeded=[[Richard Burr]]

| date of birth={{birth date and age|1953|06|10}}

| place of birth=[[Seneca, South Carolina|Seneca]], [[South Carolina]]

| dead=alive

| date of death=

| place of death=

| profession=[[Attorney]], [[Politician]]

| spouse=[[Elizabeth Edwards]]

| religion=[[Methodist]]

| signature=JRE_Signature.jpg

}}

In [[Japan]], this game was called '''米式蹴球'''（meaning of ''American rules football''）, '''鎧球''' (''ga-i=kyu-u'', meaning of ''Armor ball''), or '''American [[Rugby]]''' in old days.

'''Johnny Reid "John" Edwards''' (born [[June 10]] [[1953]]) was the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee for [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] in [[2004]], and a one-term [[U.S. Senate|U.S. Senator]] from [[North Carolina]]. On [[December 27]] [[2006]], he announced his entry into the [[U.S. presidential election, 2008|2008 Presidential election]]. On [[March 22]], [[2007]], Edwards announced that his wife's cancer had returned, yet he has not suspended his campaign for US president.

Now, it is called "'''American football'''" by pronunciation as it is, or omitted to Japanese style and called '''アメフト''', '''アメフット'''（''ame-futo'', ''ame-foot''）.

In [[China]], it is called '''美式足球'''（''American rules football''） or '''美式橄欖球'''（''American rules rugby''）.

Edwards was a [[trial lawyer]] before entering politics. He defeated incumbent [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Lauch Faircloth]] in North Carolina's [[U.S. Senate election, 1998|1998 Senate election]] and during his six-year term sought the Democratic nomination in the [[U.S. presidential election, 2004|2004 presidential election]].

==Popularity==

He eventually became the Democratic candidate for [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]], the running mate of presidential nominee [[Senator]] [[John Kerry]] of [[Massachusetts]]. After Edwards and Kerry lost the election to the incumbents [[George W. Bush]] and [[Dick Cheney]], Edwards formed the [[One America Committee]] and was appointed director of the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]] [[University of North Carolina School of Law|School of Law]]. He was also a consultant for [[Fortress Investment Group]] LLC.

[[Image:College Football CSU AF.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Colorado State University]] the ball as an [[United States Air Force Academy|Air Force Academy]] player lines up a tackle.]]

The [[Gallup Poll]] has shown football to be America's favorite sport every year since 1972, when football first overtook [[baseball]] in popularity. The percentage of Americans who say football is their favorite sport to watch (43%) is higher now than at any other time. Football's American TV viewership ratings far surpass those of other sports.<ref>National Football League, "NFL:America's Choice," January 2007, http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/Documents/NFL_all_about_SB_1-07.pdf</ref> The day of the [[National Football League]] championship, the [[Super Bowl]], is one of the biggest occasions for social gatherings in the U.S. and is sometimes referred to as an unofficial national holiday.<ref>National Football League, "Super Bowl Notes, Quotes and Anecdotes, http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/Documents/NFL_1-07_super_bowl_quotes_and_notes.pdf</ref>

The 32-team [[National Football League]] (NFL) is the only [[major professional sports league|major]] professional American football [[Sports league|league]].

==Early life, education, and family==

[[Image:John Edwards 2 by David Shankbone.jpg|thumb|John Edwards participating in a [[New York Times]] panel discussion.]]Edwards was born on [[June 10]] [[1953]] to Wallace R. Edwards and Kathryn Juanita Wade in [[Seneca, South Carolina]]. The family moved several times during Edwards' childhood, eventually settling in [[Robbins, North Carolina]], where his father worked in a [[textile mill]] and his mother was a [[mail|postal employee]]. Edwards was the first person in his family to attend college. He first attended [[Clemson University]] and later transferred to [[North Carolina State University]]. Edwards graduated with a [[bachelor's degree]] in textile technology in 1974 from North Carolina State University, and later earned his [[Juris Doctor|law degree]] from the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]], both with honors.

[[College football]] is also popular throughout North America. Four college football stadiums, [[The University of Michigan]]'s [[Michigan Stadium]], [[Penn State]]'s [[Beaver Stadium]], The [[University of Tennessee]]'s [[Neyland Stadium]] and [[Ohio State]]'s [[Ohio Stadium]], seat more than 100,000 fans and almost always sell out. Even [[high school football]] games can attract more than 10,000 people in some areas. The weekly autumn ritual of college and high-school football&mdash;which includes [[marching band]]s, [[cheerleading|cheerleaders]], [[homecoming]], and parties (including the ubiquitous [[tailgate party]])&mdash;is an important part of the culture in much of [[small-town|smalltown America]]. Football is generally the major source of revenue to the athletic programs of schools, public and private, in the United States. Some private Christian High Schools even play for 'national championships' with groups like the [[Federated Christian Athletic Association]] (FCAA).

While at UNC, he met fellow law student [[Elizabeth Anania Edwards|Elizabeth Anania]]. They married in 1977 and have four children. Their first, Wade was born in 1979 and [[Cate Edwards|Cate]] followed in 1982. In 1996, their 16-year-old son, Wade, was killed in a car accident. Following Wade's death, Edwards and his wife chose to have children again: Emma Claire, born 1998, and Jack, born in 2000. The Edwards family now live on a secluded 102 acre estate in rural/suburban [[Orange County, North Carolina|Orange County]], in the [[Raleigh]]/[[Durham]]/[[Chapel Hill]] metro area, in North Carolina.

It is a long-standing tradition in the United States (though not universally observed) that high school football games are played on Friday night, college games on Saturday, and professional games on Sunday, with one NFL game played on Monday night. In recent years, however, nationally televised Thursday night college games have become a weekly fixture on [[ESPN]].

On [[November 3]], [[2004]], the day Kerry and Edwards conceded defeat in the [[U.S. presidential election, 2004|2004 U.S. Presidential Election]], Elizabeth Edwards was diagnosed with [[breast cancer]]. She was treated via [[chemotherapy]] and [[radiotherapy]],<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6522712/ Elizabeth Edwards battles breast cancer], [[MSNBC]]</ref> and has continued to remain an activist for women, cancer patients, the Democratic Party, and her husband's [[One America Committee]].

Certain fall and winter [[holiday]]s&mdash;most notably [[Thanksgiving (United States)|Thanksgiving]] and [[New Years' Day]]&mdash;have traditional football games associated with them.

==Legal career==

[[Image:Four_Trials.jpg|160px|thumb|left|''[[Four Trials]]'' by John Edwards]]

Both Edwards and his wife began private practice with law firms in [[Nashville, Tennessee]]. Edwards became an associate at the law firm of Dearborn & Ewing in 1978, doing primarily trial work, defending a Nashville bank and other corporate clients. The Edwards family (John, Elizabeth, and son Wade) returned to North Carolina in 1981, settling in the capital of [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]].

Football is played recreationally by amateur clubs and youth teams (e.g., the [[Pop Warner Little Scholars|Pop Warner]] little-league programs). There are also many "semi-pro" teams in leagues where the players are paid to play but at a small enough salary that they generally must also hold a full-time job.

Before entering politics, Edwards was a [[personal injury]] trial attorney. He represented families and children, and specialized in corporate [[negligence]] and [[medical malpractice]] claims. Edwards made his personal fortune through his trial successes and his 2003 financial disclosure forms showed a total [[net worth]] between $12.8 and $60 million.<ref>[http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/candlook.asp?CID=N00002283 OpenSecrets.org]</ref> Edwards was criticized for paying himself mostly through subchapter S corporate dividends, rather than a salary, to take advantage of a tax-law loophole that allowed him to avoid paying $591,000 in [[Medicare (United States)|Medicare]] taxes; Edwards claimed that he chose the subchapter S structure to protect his assets from liability.<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB108967570582861859,00.html Wall Street Journal]</ref>

Organized football is played almost exclusively by men and boys, although a few amateur and [[women's American football|semi-professional women's leagues]] have begun play in recent years.

Edwards' first important case was a 1984 medical malpractice lawsuit. In that case, Edwards won a $3.7 million verdict on behalf of his client who suffered permanent brain and nerve damage after a doctor prescribed a drug overdose of anti-[[alcoholism]] drug [[Antabuse]].<ref name=findlaw>http://news.findlaw.com/newsmakers/john.edwards.html</ref> In 1985, Edwards obtained a $5.75 million settlement in a [[cerebral palsy]] case for medical malpractice during [[labour (childbirth)|childbirth]], representing Jennifer Campbell, a five-year-old cerebral palsy patient. This established the North Carolina precedent of physician and hospital liability for failing to determine if the patient understood risks of a particular procedure.<ref name=findlaw/> During the trial, it has been argued that Edwards relied more on his verbal skills as a trial lawyer than on actual science. While delivering his summary, Edwards said that "I have to tell you right now &ndash; I didn't plan to talk about this &ndash; right now I feel her [Jennifer], I feel her presence...[Jennifer's] inside me and she's talking to you."<ref>http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=%5CPolitics%5Carchive%5C200401%5CPOL20040120a.html</ref>

===Outside the United States===

The biggest case of his legal career was a 1997 product liability lawsuit against Sta-Rite, the manufacturer of a defective pool drain cover. The case involved a [[Cary, North Carolina]] girl, Valerie Lakey, who was disemboweled by the [[suction]] power of the pool drain [[pump]] when she sat on an open pool drain whose protective cover other children at the pool had removed, after the swim club had failed to install the cover properly. Despite 12 prior suits with similar claims, Sta-Rite continued to make and sell drain covers lacking warnings. In his closing arguments, Edwards spoke to the jury for an hour and a half without referring to notes. It was an emotional appeal that made reference to his son, Wade, who had been killed shortly before testimony began in the trial. Mark Dayton, editor of ''North Carolina Lawyers Weekly'', would later call it "the most impressive legal performance I have ever seen."<ref>[http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2001/0110.green.html ''Washington Monthly''], Jan. 10, 2001</ref> The jury awarded the Lakeys $25 million, the largest personal injury award in North Carolina history. The company settled for the $25 million while the jury was deliberating [[punitive damages]], rather than risk [[appeal]]. For their part in this case, Edwards and law partner David Kirby earned the Association of Trial Lawyers of America's national award for public service.<ref name=findlaw/>

The NFL operated a developmental league, [[NFL Europa]]<!--note 2006 name change from NFL Europe-->, with teams in five German cities and one in the Netherlands, but this league folded following the 2007 season. The professional [[Canadian Football League]] and collegiate [[Canadian Interuniversity Sport]] play under [[Canadian football|Canadian rules]]. The sport is popular as an amateur activity in [[Mexico]] and [[American Samoa]] and to a lesser extent in [[Japan]], [[Europe]], [[Korea]], [[The Bahamas]], [[Chile]], [[Brazil]], [[Uruguay]], [[Argentina]], [[Australia]] ([[Gridiron Australia]]) and [[Israel]].{{Fact|date=June 2007}} The [[International Federation of American Football]] is the governing body for American football with 45 member associations from North and South America, Europe, Asia and Oceania. The IFAF also oversees the [[American Football World Cup]], which is held every four years. Japan has won the first two World Cups, held in 1999 and 2003.

Despite this, the game has been slow to catch on in most countries. Chief among criticisms of American football is the amount of time elapsing between plays, the number of interruptions in the game for timeouts and penalties, as well as the complexity of the rules. {{Fact|date=June 2007}}

In December 2003, during his presidential campaign, Edwards (with [[John Auchard]]) published ''[[Four Trials]]'', a biographical book focusing on cases from his legal career.

==Rules==

==Political career==

{{main|American football rules}}

===Senate term===

[[Image:JohnEdwards_Senate.jpg|160px|thumb|right|Senator John Edwards]]

Both the success of the Lakey case and his son's death (Edwards had hoped his son would eventually join him in private law practice) prompted Edwards to leave the legal profession and seek public office. A Democrat, Edwards won election to the U.S. Senate in 1998 against incumbent Republican Senator [[Lauch Faircloth]]. Despite originally being the underdog, Edwards beat Faircloth by 51.2% to 47.0% - a margin of some 83,000 votes.

The object of American football is to score more points than the opposing team within the time limit.

During [[President of the United States|President]] [[Bill Clinton|Bill Clinton's]] [[Impeachment of Bill Clinton|1999 impeachment trial in the Senate]], Edwards was responsible for the [[deposition (law)|deposition]] of witnesses [[Monica Lewinsky]] and fellow Democrat [[Vernon Jordan]].

===Field and players===

During the 2000 presidential campaign, Edwards was reported to be on Democratic nominee [[Al Gore]]'s vice presidential nominee "short list" (along with [[John Kerry]] and [[Joe Lieberman]], Gore's eventual pick). In [[November 2000]], [[People (magazine)|''People'']] magazine named Edwards as its choice for the "sexiest politician alive."

[[Image:AmFBfield.svg|thumb|right|The numbers on the field indicate the number of [[yard]]s to the nearest end zone.]]

[[Image:11-11-06-LA-Coliseum-USC-UO.jpg|thumb|left|[[University of Southern California]] football games at [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]] attract more than 90,000 fans.]] American football is played on a rectangular field {{convert|120|yd|m|1|lk=on}} long by {{convert|160|ft|m|1}} wide. The longer boundary lines are ''sidelines'', while the shorter boundary lines are ''end lines''. Near each end of the field is a ''goal line''; they are {{convert|100|yd|m|1|lk=on}} apart. A scoring area called an ''[[end zone]]'' extends {{convert|10|yd|m|1}} beyond each goal line to each end line.

Edwards served on the [[U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence]] and [[U.S. Senate Committee on Judiciary]].

''Yard lines'' cross the field every 5 yards, and are numbered from each goal line to the 50-yard line, or midfield (similar to a typical [[rugby league]] field). Two rows of lines, known as inbounds lines or ''hash marks'', parallel the side lines near the middle of the field. All plays start with the ball on or between the hash marks.

During his Senate term Edwards [http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d107&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Sen+Edwards++John))+01573)): co-sponsored] 203 bills. He co-sponsored Lieberman's [http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:SJ00046:@@@P: S.J.RES.46], the [[Iraq War]] Resolution, and also later voted for it in the full Senate to authorize the use of military force against Iraq. Edwards also supported and voted for the [[Patriot Act]]. Among other positions, Edwards generally supported [[abortion rights]], [[affirmative action]], and the [[death penalty]]. Among his first sponsored bills was the ''Fragile X Research Breakthrough Act of 1999''.<ref>http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c106:S.1131.IS:</ref> He was also the first person to introduce comprehensive anti-spyware legislation with the ''Spyware Control and Privacy Protection Act''.<ref>http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d106:SN03180:@@@L&summ2=m&#summary</ref> He also advocated rolling back the [[George W. Bush|Bush administration]]'s tax cuts and ending mandatory minimum sentencing for non-violent offenders.<ref name=ontheissues>http://ontheissues.org/John_Edwards.htm</ref>

At the back of each end zone are two ''[[goalpost|goal posts]]'' (also called ''uprights'') that are {{convert|18.5|ft|m|1}} apart ({{convert|24|ft|m|1}} in [[high school football|high school]]). The posts are connected by a crossbar {{convert|10|ft|cm|0}} from the ground.

Edwards supported the expansion of the [[H-1B visa]] program to increase the number of work visas for immigrant workers.<ref>http://www.zazona.com/ShameH1B/Library/Politicians/Edwards.htm</ref> Edwards generally supported expanding legal immigration to the United States while working with [[Mexico]] to provide better border security and stop illegal trafficking.<ref name=ontheissues/><ref>http://grades.betterimmigration.com/testgrades.php3?District=NC&VIPID=483&retired=1</ref>

Each team has 11 players on the field at a time. However, teams may substitute for any or all of their players, if time allows, during the break between plays. As a result, players have very specialized roles, and almost all of the 46 active players on an NFL team will play in any given game. Thus, teams are divided into three separate units: the [[offensive team|offense]], the [[defensive team|defense]] and the [[special teams]].

Before the 2004 Senate election, Edwards announced his retirement from the Senate and supported [[Erskine Bowles]], former [[White House Chief of Staff]], as the successor to his seat; Bowles, however, was defeated by Republican [[Richard Burr]] in the election.

===2004Game presidential campaignduration===

A standard football game consists of four 15-minute (typically 12 minutes in high-school football) quarters, with a [[half-time]] intermission after the second quarter. The clock stops after certain plays; therefore, a game can last considerably longer (often more than three hours in real time). If an NFL game is tied after four quarters, the teams play an additional period lasting up to 15 minutes. In an NFL overtime game, the first team that scores wins, even if the other team does not get a possession; this is referred to as [[sudden death (sport)|sudden death]]. In a regular-season NFL game, if neither team scores in overtime, the game is a tie. In an NFL playoff game, additional overtime periods are played, as needed, to determine a winner. College overtime rules are more complicated and are described in [[Overtime (sport)]].

{{main|United States presidential election, 2004|John Kerry presidential campaign, 2004}}

Edwards unofficially began his presidential campaign as early as [[2001]], when he began to seek speaking engagements in [[Iowa]], the site of the nation's first party caucuses. On [[January 2]], [[2003]], he announced formation of an exploratory committee, allowing him to begin [[fundraising]] while not officially campaigning. On [[September 15]], [[2003]], Edwards unofficially announced his intention to seek the [[U.S. presidential election, 2004|2004 Democratic Presidential nomination]], on ''[[The Daily Show with Jon Stewart]]'', thus fulfilling a promise he made as a guest during the show's coverage of the 2002 midterm elections. The next morning, Edwards made the announcement officially from his hometown. He declined to run for reelection to the Senate in 2004 in order to solely focus on his presidential run. Edwards' campaign was chaired by North Carolina Democratic activist [[Ed Turlington]].

===Advancing the ball===

As Edwards had been building support for a presidential bid essentially since his election to the Senate, he led the initial campaign fundraising, amassing over $7 million during the first quarter of 2003, more than half of which came from individuals associated with the legal profession, particularly Edwards' fellow trial lawyers, their families, and employees.<ref>[http://www.hillnews.com/news/050703/edwards.aspx ''Hill News''], May 7, 2003</ref>

[[Image:Football cross.jpg|thumb|left|A line of [[scrimmage]]]]

Advancing the ball in American football resembles the ''six-tackle rule'' and the ''play-the-ball'' in [[rugby league]]. The team that takes possession of the ball (the '''offense''') has four attempts, called '''[[Down (football)|downs]]''', to advance the ball 10 yards towards their opponent's (the '''defense'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s) end zone. When the offense gains 10 yards, it gets a '''first down''', which means the team has another set of four downs to gain yet another 10 yards or score with. If the offense fails to gain a first down (10 yards) after 4 downs, possession of the ball is given to the opposing team.

Except at the beginning of halves and after scores, the ball is always put into play by a '''[[Snap (American football)|snap]]'''. Offensive players line up facing defensive players at the [[line of scrimmage]] (the position on the field where the play begins). One offensive player, the [[Center (football)|center]], then passes (or "snaps") the ball between his legs to a teammate, usually the [[quarterback]].

Edwards' campaign was often characterized by the American news media as [[populism|populist]].<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A30354-2004Jul6.html''Washington Post''], July 6, 2004</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3872003.stm BBC News]</ref> His stump speech spoke of "two Americas", one composed of the wealthy and privileged, and the other of the hard-working common man.<ref>http://quote.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Edwards#Two_Americas</ref>

[[Image:2006 UT fall scrimmage Snead.JPG|thumb|right|A [[quarterback]] searching for opportunity to throw a pass]]

After campaigning for most of 2003, Edwards's campaign struggled to gain substantial support in the Democratic Party. In early 2004, weeks before the [[Iowa caucus]]es, Edwards began to gain momentum and poll numbers began to rise steadily. Edwards's late-stage momentum carried him into a surprising second place finish in [[2004 Iowa Democratic caucuses|Iowa]] with the support of 32% of caucus delegates, behind only [[John Kerry]]'s 39% and ahead of former front-runner [[Howard Dean]] at 18%. Edwards finished with 12% support in the [[New Hampshire primary]] one week later, in fourth place behind Kerry, [[Howard Dean]], and [[Wesley Clark]]. The following week, during the [[February 3]] primaries, Edwards won South Carolina's primary, lost to Clark in [[Oklahoma]], and lost to Kerry in the other states. Edwards also garnered the second largest number of second place finishes, again falling behind Clark.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/primaries/pages/dates/02/03/index.html CNN]</ref>

[[Image:2006 Pro Bowl tackle.jpg|thumb|A [[running back]] being tackled when he tries to run with the ball]]

Players can then advance the ball in two ways:

#By running with the ball, also known as '''[[Rush (football)|rushing]]'''. One ball-carrier can hand the ball to another player or throw backwards to another player. These are known as as a '''handoff''' and '''[[Lateral pass|lateral]]''' respectively.

#By throwing the ball to a teammate, known as a [[forward pass]] or as '''passing''' the football. The forward pass is a key factor distinguishing American and Canadian football from other football sports. The offense can throw the ball forward only once on a play, only from behind the line of scrimmage and only before crossing the line of scrimmage. The ball can be thrown, pitched, or tossed sideways or backwards at any time.

A down ends, and the ball becomes dead, after any of the following:

[[Image:John-Edwards-Shakes-Hands.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Edwards on the campaign trail in 2004.]]After Dean's withdrawal from the contest, Edwards became the only major challenger to Kerry for the Democratic nomination. He finished with 34% of the votes and second place to Kerry in the [[Wisconsin]] primary on [[February 17]].

* The player with the ball is forced to the ground (tackled) or has his forward progress halted by members of the other team (as determined by an [[Official (American football)|official]]).

* A forward pass flies out of bounds or touches the ground before it is caught. This is known as an '''[[incomplete pass]]'''. The ball is returned to the most recent line of scrimmage for the next down.

* The ball or the player with the ball goes beyond the dimensions of the field ('''out of bounds''').

* A team scores.

Officials blow a whistle to notify players that the down is over.

Edwards largely avoided attacking Kerry until a [[February 29]], [[2004]] debate in New York, where he attempted to put Kerry on the defensive by characterizing the front-runner as a "Washington insider" and by mocking Kerry's plan to form a committee to examine [[trade agreement]]s.

Before each down, each team chooses a '''play''', or coordinated movements and actions, that the players should follow on a down. Sometimes, downs themselves are referred to as "plays."

Edwards' campaign ended after a disappointing finish in the [[Super Tuesday]] primaries on [[March 2]], when Kerry finished well ahead in nine of the 10 states voting that day. Edwards finished only slightly behind Kerry in [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], but, failing to win a single state, chose to withdraw from the presidential race. He announced his official withdrawal at a [[Raleigh, North Carolina]] press conference on [[March 3]], [[2004]].

===Change of possession===

News of Edwards's withdrawal from the race made major media outlets relatively early on the evening of Super Tuesday, at about 6:30 p.m. CST, before polls had closed in [[California]] and before caucuses in [[Minnesota]] had even begun. This influenced many people in Minnesota to vote for other candidates, which may partially account for the strong showing of [[Dennis Kucinich]] in that state.{{or}} Edwards did win the presidential [[straw poll]] conducted by the [[Independence Party of Minnesota]]. He also later won the Democratic caucuses in his home state of [[North Carolina]], making him the only Democratic candidate besides Kerry to win nominating contests in two states.

The offense maintains possession of the ball unless one of the following things do happen:

* The team fails to get a first down&mdash; i.e., in four downs they fail to move the ball past a line 10 yards ahead of where they got their last first down (it is possible to be downed behind the current line of scrimmage, "losing yardage"). The defensive team takes over the ball at the spot where the 4th-down play ends. A change of possession in this manner is commonly called a '''turnover on downs'''.

* The offense scores a touchdown or field goal. The team that scored then kicks the ball to the other team in a special play called a '''[[Kickoff (American football)|kickoff]]'''.

* The offense punts the ball to the defense. A '''[[punt (football)|punt]]''' is a kick in which a player drops the ball and kicks it before it hits the ground. Punts are [[Quick kick|nearly always]] made on fourth down, when the offensive team does not want to risk giving up the ball to the other team at its current spot on the field (through a failed attempt to make a first down) and feels it is too far from the other team's goal posts to attempt a field goal.

* A defensive player catches a forward pass. This is called an '''[[interception]]''', and the player who makes the interception can run with the ball until he is tackled, forced out of bounds, or scores.

* An offensive player drops the ball (a '''[[fumble]]''') and a defensive player picks it up. As with interceptions, a player "recovering" a fumble can run with the ball until tackled or forced out of bounds. Lateral passes that are not caught or caught by a defensive player are considered fumbles. Lost fumbles and interceptions are together known as '''turnovers'''.

* The offensive team misses a field goal attempt. The defensive team gets the ball at the spot where the previous play began (or, in the NFL, at the spot of the kick). If the unsuccessful kick was attempted from within 20 yards of the end zone, the other team gets the ball at its own 20-yard line (that is, 20 yards from the end zone).

* In his own end zone, an offensive ballcarrier is tackled, forced out of bounds or loses the ball out of bounds, or the offense commits certain penalties. This fairly rare occurrence is called a '''[[Safety (football score)|safety]]'''.

* An offensive ballcarrier fumbles the ball forward into the end zone, and then the ball goes out of bounds. This extremely rare occurrence leads to a '''touchback''', with the ball going over to the opposing team at their 20 yard line. (Note that touchbacks during non-offensive special teams plays, such as punts and kickoffs, are quite common)

===Scoring===

===2004 Vice Presidential nomination and campaign===

A team scores points by the following plays:

On [[July 6]], [[2004]] Kerry announced, first in an [[email]] to his supporters and later in [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]], that Edwards would be his vice presidential running mate. Kerry's decision was widely hailed by Democratic voters in public opinion polls and by Democratic leaders in interviews. According to sources close to Kerry, other individuals said to have been under consideration for the vice presidential nomination by the Kerry campaign were Iowa Governor [[Tom Vilsack]], [[Illinois]] Senator [[Richard Durbin]], [[Florida]] Senator [[Bob Graham]], Clark, and Congressman [[Richard Gephardt]] (the ''[[New York Post]]'' had incorrectly reported a day earlier that Kerry had decided on Gephardt for the running mate slot). Though [[Ralph Nader]] and many Democrats supported the nomination, others criticized Kerry because of Edwards' perceived lack of experience. In particular, the nomination caused the business community, including the [[Chamber of Commerce]] network, to throw its support to [[George W. Bush]] when they had been neutral in previous presidential elections, because of Edwards' opposition to [[tort reform]].<ref>http://www.pointoflaw.com/archives/000488.php</ref>

* A '''[[touchdown]]''' (TD) is worth 6 points. It is scored when a player runs the ball into or catches a pass in his opponent's end zone. A touchdown is analogous to a [[try]] in rugby with the major difference being that a try requires the player to place the ball on the ground.

The highlight of Edwards'campaign for the vice presidency, was the debate with incumbent [[Dick Cheney]], in which the Vice President blindsided Edwards with the false charge that they had never met before, and blamed this on Edwards' frequent absences from the Senate to campaign for the Presidency. While the media found several videotapes of Cheney/Edwards meetings, Edwards initial response is believed to have hurt the Kerry/Edwards campaign.

** After a touchdown, the scoring team attempts a '''conversion''' (which is also analogous to the [[Try#Conversion|conversion in rugby]]). The ball is placed at the other team's 3-yard line (the 2-yard line in the NFL). The team can attempt to kick it over the crossbar and through the goal posts in the manner of a field goal for 1 point (an '''[[extra point]]''' or '''point after touchdown (PAT)'''), or run or pass it into the end zone in the manner of a touchdown for 2 points (a '''[[two-point conversion]]'''). In college football, if the defense intercepts or recovers a fumble during a two point conversion attempt and returns it to the opposing end zone, the defensive team is awarded the two points.

* A '''[[Field goal (gridiron football)|field goal]]''' (FG) is worth 3 points, and it is scored by kicking the ball over the crossbar and through the goal posts. Field goals may be placekicked (kicked when the ball is held vertically against the ground by a teammate) or [[drop kick|drop-kicked]] (extremely uncommon in the modern game, with only two successes in the last 60 years). A field goal is usually attempted on fourth down instead of a punt when the ball is close to the opponent's goal line, or, when there is little or no time left to otherwise score.

* A '''[[Safety (football score)|safety]]''' is worth 2 points. A safety is scored by the ''defense'' when the offensive player in possession of the ball is forced back into his own end zone and is tackled there, fumbles the ball out of his end zone or has a kick blocked out of his end zone, or the offense commits certain penalties in his end zone.

====CampaignKickoffs controversies=and free kicks===

Each half begins with a [[Kickoff (American football)|kickoff]]. Teams also kick off after scoring touchdowns and field goals. The ball is kicked using a kicking tee from the team's own 30-yard line in the NFL or from the 35-yard line in college football.The other team's kick returner tries to catch the ball and advance it as far as possible. Where he is stopped is the point where the offense will begin its '''drive''', or series of offensive plays. If the kick returner catches the ball in his own end zone, he can either run with the ball, or elect for a '''[[touchback]]''' by kneeling in the end zone, in which case the receiving team then starts its offensive drive from its own 20-yard line. A [[touchback]] also occurs when the kick goes out-of-bounds in the end zone. A kickoff that goes out-of-bounds anywhere other than the end zone before being touched by the receiving team results in a penalty. Unlike with punts, once a kickoff goes 10 yards, it can be recovered by the kicking team. A team, especially one who is losing, can try to take advantage of this by attempting an [[Onside kick]]. Punts and turnovers in the end zone can also end in a [[touchback]].

{{disputed}}

After safeties, the team that gave up the 2 points puts the ball into play with a punt or placekick from its own 20-yard line.

Edwards became the subject of controversy during the 2004 election, after a comment (and subsequent [[misquotation]]) he made in Iowa in October 2004 concerning [[stem cell research]]:

[[Image:AmericanFootballTraining.jpg|thumb|right|A halfback leads fellow backs through an agility drill at the Air Force Academy]]

{{Quotation|

If we can do the work that we can do in this country &ndash; the work we will do when John Kerry is president &ndash; people like [[Christopher Reeve]] are going to walk. Get up out of that wheelchair and walk again.<ref name="MM Edwards quote">{{cite news

| title = Conservatives echoed Drudge's doctored quotation of Edwards on stem cell research

| language = English

| publisher = Media Matters for America

| date = [[2004-10-13]]

| url = http://mediamatters.org/items/200410130006

| accessdate = 2007-01-23 }}

</ref><ref name="WSJ Edwards Quote">{{cite news

| title = Did Drudge Dowdify Edwards?

| language = English

| publisher = Wall Street Journal

| date = [[2004-10-14]]

| url = http://www.opinionjournal.com/forms/printThis.html?id=110005755

| accessdate = 2007-01-23 }}

</ref><ref name="MM 2006 Edwards quote">{{cite news

| title = Krauthammer misrepresented Edwards' stem cell comments, Democratic stem cell bill

| language = English

| publisher = Media Matters for America

| date = [[2007-01-12]]

| url = http://mediamatters.org/items/200701130001

| accessdate = 2007-01-23 }}

</ref>|

John Edwards|

''October 10, 2004, campaign event in Iowa''}}

Conservative ''[[Washington Post]]'' columnist and [[Fox News Channel]] contributor [[Charles Krauthammer]] reacted harshly to the quote.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A34167-2004Oct14.html Charles Krauthammer commentary]</ref>

It was later taken out of context on the [[Drudge Report]] as: "When John Kerry is president, people like Christopher Reeve are going to walk. Get up out of that wheelchair and walk again."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.drudgereportarchives.com/data/2004/10/12/20041012_160604.htm | title=Drudge Report front page |publisher=Drudge Report | date=[[2004-10-12]]|accessdate=2006-08-29}}</ref>

[[Progressivism#Progressivism in relation to other political ideologies#Liberalism|Progressive]] research and information center [[Media Matters for America]] have argued that when the entire quote is used "Edwards was premising 'people like Christopher Reeve' 'walk[ing] again' on the outcome of research that a Kerry administration would support."<ref name="MM Edwards quote"/>

===Post Senate activitiesPenalties===

Rule violations are punished with '''penalties''' against the offending team. Most penalties result in moving the football towards the offending team's end zone. If the penalty would move the ball more than half the distance to the defense's end zone, the penalty becomes half the distance to the goal instead of its normal value.

Edwards is a candidate for the [[U.S. presidential election, 2008|2008 U.S. presidential election]]; his concession speech at the close of the 2004 race hinted at his continued presidential ambitions: "You can be disappointed, but you cannot walk away. This fight has just begun." The following day, he announced that his wife Elizabeth had been diagnosed with [[breast cancer]]. Coincidentally, a few months earlier, in February 2004, doctors suggested that the distinctive [[Mole (skin marking)|mole]] on Edwards' upper lip might be developing cancerous properties; he had it removed, although it turned out to be benign.

Most penalties result in replaying the down. Some defensive penalties give the offense an automatic first down. Conversely, some offensive penalties result in the automatic loss of a down. If a penalty gives the offensive team enough yardage to gain a first down, they get a first down, as usual.

[[Image:Edwards_TonyBlair.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Senator Edwards and Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]]]]

During the months that followed Edwards was courted by a number of organizations; he told interviewer [[Larry King]] that he doubted he would return to his occupation as a trial lawyer and showed no interest in the possibility of becoming the [[Democratic National Committee]] chairman, a post sought by fellow nomination contender Howard Dean. He finally chose to accept an offer from his alma mater, the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]], of a part-time faculty position as director of a new "Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity" at the university. Shortly before the November 2004 election Edwards purchased a parcel of land in [[Orange County, North Carolina|Orange County]], where he now lives with his family.

If a penalty occurs during a play, an official throws a yellow flag near the spot of the foul. When the play ends, the team that did not commit the penalty has the option of accepting the penalty, or declining the penalty and accepting the result of the play.

In [[February]] [[2005]] Edwards headlined the "100 Club" Dinner, a major fundraiser for the [[New Hampshire]] Democratic Party. That same month, the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]] announced that he had been appointed as director of the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity in the university for studying ways to move people out of [[poverty]]. That fall, Edwards toured 10 major universities in order to promote "Opportunity Rocks!", a program aimed at getting youth involved in the fight against poverty.

[[Image:Edwards_kemp_russia.jpg|180px|thumb|left|Senator Edwards and former Congressman Kemp in the [[Red Square]]]]

A few of the most-common penalties include:

On [[March 21]] [[2005]], Edwards recorded his first [[Podcasting|podcast]]<ref>http://oneamericacommittee.com/media/podcasts/20050321/</ref> with [[Elizabeth Anania Edwards|his wife]]. Several months later, in August, Edwards traveled to [[Waterloo, Iowa]] to deliver an address to the state's chapter of the [[AFL-CIO]], a potential key supporter in the Iowa caucus. In the following month Edwards sent an [[email]] to his supporters and announced that he opposed the nomination of Judge [[John Roberts]] to become [[Chief Justice of the United States]]. He was also opposed to the nomination of Justice [[Samuel Alito]].

* '''False start:''' An offensive player illegally moves after lining up for the snap. The play is dead immediately.

In 2005 Edwards joined the [[Wall Street]] investment firm Fortress Investment Group as a senior adviser.<ref>http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/oct2005/nf20051013_3314_db016.htm</ref>

* '''[[Offside_(football)|Offsides]]:''' A defensive player is on the wrong side of the ball at the start of a play. If play has started, the penalty is delayed pending the outcome of the play.

[[Image:Edwards Kennedy.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Sen. Edwards and Sen. Kennedy campaigning for raise of minimum wage]]

* '''Holding:''' Illegally grasping or pulling an opponent other than the ball-carrier.

During the summer and fall of 2005, he toured the country, promoting various [[progressivism|progressive]] causes. He visited [[homeless shelter]]s and job training centers and spoke at events organized by such groups as [[ACORN]], the [[NAACP]], and the [[Service Employees International Union|SEIU]]. He spoke out in favor of an expansion of the [[earned income tax credit]], a crackdown on [[predatory lending]], an increase in the [[capital gains tax]] rate, housing vouchers for [[minority|minorities]] to integrate upper-income neighborhoods, and a program modeled on the [[Works Progress Administration]] to rehabilitate the [[Gulf Coast of the United States|Gulf Coast]] following the effects of [[Hurricane Katrina]]. In low-income [[Greene County, North Carolina]] he unveiled the pilot program for College for Everyone, an educational measure he promised during his presidential campaign, in which prospective college students will receive a [[scholarship]] for their first year in exchange for ten hours of work a week.

* '''[[Pass interference]]:''' Illegally contacting an opponent to prevent him from catching a forward pass.

* '''Delay of game:''' Failing to begin a new play after a certain time from the end of the last one.

* '''Illegal block in the back:''' An offensive player pushing a defensive player in the back.

* '''Face mask:''' Grasping or touching the face mask of another player while attempting to block or tackle him.

* '''Clipping''': A blocker hitting an opposing defender from below the waist.

===Variations===

On [[November 14]], [[2005]] he wrote an [[Op-Ed|op-ed]] in the ''[[Washington Post]]'' in which he expressed regret for his vote supporting the Iraq War in 2002, and discussed three solutions for success in the conflict.<ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/11/AR2005111101623.html</ref> Previously, Edwards had defended his vote. In an October 10, 2004 appearance on [[Meet the Press]], Edwards told [[Tim Russert]] "I would have voted for the resolution knowing what I know today, because it was the right thing to do to give the president the authority to confront Saddam Hussein...I think Saddam Hussein was a very serious threat. I stand by that, and that's why [John Kerry and I] stand behind our vote on the resolution."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6200928/ | title=Meet the Press transcript for October 10, 2004}}</ref> In a February 4, 2007 appearance on ''Meet the Press'', Edwards told Russert "over time, when I reflected on what I thought was going to be necessary going forward, to have some moral foundation to work on issues like poverty and genocide, things that I care deeply about, I could no longer defend this vote. It was pretty simple. And I got to the place I felt like I had to say it and had to say it publicly. And so—what?--a year—a year or so ago I did that."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16903253/ | title=MTP Transcript for Feb. 4, 2007}}</ref>

Variations on these basic rules exist, particularly [[Touch football (American)|touch]] and [[flag football]], which are designed as non-contact or limited-contact alternatives to the relative violence of regular American football. In touch and flag football, tackling is not permitted. Offensive players are "tackled" when a defender tags them or removes a flag from their body, respectively. Both of these varieties are played mainly in informal settings such as [[Intramural sports|intramural]] or youth games. Another variation is "wrap", where a player is "tackled" when another player wraps his arms around the ball carrier. Professional, intercollegiate, and varsity-level high school football invariably use the standard tackling rules.

Another variation is with the number of players on the field. In sparsely populated areas, it is not uncommon to find high school football teams playing [[nine-man football]], [[eight-man football]] or [[six-man football]]. Players often play on offense as well as defense. The [[Arena Football League]] is a league that plays eight-man football, but also plays indoors and on a much smaller playing surface.

Edwards was co-chair of a [[Council on Foreign Relations]] task force on [[United States]]-[[Russia]] relations alongside Republican [[Jack Kemp]], a former congressman, Cabinet official, and vice presidential nominee.<ref>http://www.cfr.org/publication.html?id=8142</ref> The task force issued its report in [[March]] [[2006]].<ref>http://www.cfr.org/publication/9997/</ref> On July 12, the ''International Herald Tribune'' published a related [[op-ed]] by Edwards and Kemp.<ref>http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/07/12/opinion/edkemp.php</ref>

==Players==

On [[April 6]], [[2006]], Edwards joined [[Ted Kennedy]] at a rally for raising the [[minimum wage]].<ref>http://www.senatedemocrats.net/node/775</ref>

{{Main|American football positions}}

[[Image:American football positions.svg|frame|right|This diagram shows typical offensive and defensive formations. The offense (blue) consists of the quarterback (QB), fullback (FB), tailback (TB), wide receivers (WR) and offensive linemen (C, OG, OT). The defense (red) consists of the defensive line (DL, DE), linebackers (LBs), cornerbacks (CB), strong safety (SS) and free safety (FS). Because teams can change any or all of the players between plays, the number of players at certain positions may differ on a given play. Here the offense is in the Normal I-Formation while the defense is in a 4-3 Normal.]]

Most football players have highly specialized roles. At the college and NFL levels, most play only offense or only defense.

===Offense===

Mr. Edwards announced his presidential candidacy for 2008 on December 27, 2006. Though he was expected to announce it a day later, his campaign Web site was accidentally launched a day early.

* The '''[[offensive line]]''' (OL) consists of five players whose job is to protect the passer and clear the way for runners by blocking members of the defense. Except for the center, offensive linemen generally do not handle the ball. The five offensive line positions are 1 center, 2 tackles and 2 guards.

* The '''[[quarterback]]''' (QB) receives the snap on most plays. He then hands or tosses it to a running back, throws it to a receiver or runs with it himself. The quarterback is the leader of the offense and calls the plays that are signaled to him from the sidelines.

*'''[[Running back]]s''' (RB) line up behind or beside the QB and specialize in running with the ball. They also block, catch passes and, on rare occasions, pass the ball to others. If a team has two running backs in the game, usually one will be a halfback (HB) or tailback (TB), who is more likely to run with the ball, and the other will usually be a fullback (FB), who is more likely to block.

*'''[[Wide receiver]]s''' (WR) line up near the sidelines. They specialize in catching passes, though also block for running plays or downfield after another receiver makes a catch. A receiver lining up on the line of scrimmage is sometimes called a "split end" and a one lining up behind the line is sometimes called a "flanker".

*'''[[Tight end]]s''' (TE) line up outside the offensive line. They can either play like wide receivers (catch passes) or like offensive linemen (protect the QB or create spaces for runners).

At least seven players must line up on the line of scrimmage on every offensive play. The other players may line up anywhere behind the line. The exact number of running backs, wide receivers and tight ends may differ on any given play. For example, if the team needs only 1 yard, it may use three tight ends, two running backs and no wide receivers. On the other hand, if it needs 20 yards, it may replace all of its running backs and tight ends with wide receivers.

===2008 presidential campaign===

{{main|United States presidential election, 2008}}

{{see|Official and Potential 2008 United States presidential election Democratic candidates}}

{{Future election candidate}}

{{see also|Political views of John Edwards}}

===Defense===

[[Image:JRE_08.gif|200px|thumb|right|John Edwards 2008]]

* The '''[[defensive line]]''' consists of three to six players who line up immediately across from the offensive line. They try to tackle the running back if he has the ball before he can gain yardage or the quarterback before he can throw or pass the ball.

On [[December 27]] [[2006]], Edwards's campaign website accidentally released that Edwards would be entering the 2008 Presidential election when it went live for a short time one day prior to Edwards's planned announcement in the [[Eastern New Orleans]] area of [[New Orleans]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/27/AR2006122701452.html | title=John Edwards Joins Presidential Race | publisher=The Washington Post | author=Nedra Pickler | date=[[2006-12-28]] | accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref> He also inadvertently released his campaign slogan early as well: "Tomorrow begins today."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/12/28/edwards.ap/index.html | title= Democrat John Edwards: I'm running for president | publisher=AP | date=[[2006-12-28]] | accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref> This ended months of speculation about whether or not Edwards would make a second run for President. On [[December 28]] [[2006]], Edwards officially announced his candidacy for President in the 2008 election.<ref>http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,11069-2521766,00.html</ref>

* In most situations, at least three players line up as '''[[defensive back]]s''', which are either cornerbacks or safeties. They cover the receivers and try to stop pass completions. They occasionally rush the quarterback.

* The other players on the defense are known as '''[[linebacker]]s'''. They line up between the defensive line and defensive backs and may either rush the quarterback or cover potential receivers.

===Special teams===

The most recent national polls show Edwards placing third among the Democratic field, behind Senator [[Hillary Clinton]] and Senator [[Barack Obama]],.<ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/Political%20Tracking/Democratic%20Primaries/DemocraticPrimary.htm</ref> However, taking second place in how many states he carries, ahead of Obama but behind Clinton by 22 states. On [[January 17]], [[Zogby]] released a poll among Iowa voters showing that Edwards leads one-term Illinois Senator Barack Obama with 27% to 17%.<ref>[http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1236 Iowa Dems favor Edwards, GOP Favors Giuliani, McCain].</ref> Another Zogby poll conducted in New Hampshire showed Edwards along with Clinton losing 4 points on Obama with 23%.<ref>[http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1237 Zogby New Hampshire: 3 Dems In Tight Race; McCain Leads Republican Field].</ref>

The units of players who handle kicking plays are known as "[[special teams]]". Two important special-teams players are the "[[punter (football position)|punter]]", who handles punts, and the "[[placekicker]]" or "kicker", who kicks off and attempts field goals and extra points.

===Uniform numbering===

Edwards's campaign has stated that its main focus is on eliminating poverty, fighting [[global warming]], and providing [[universal health care]].<ref> {{cite news | url=http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/nation/16339205.htm| title=Edwards to focus on poverty, global warming, health care | publisher=AP | date=[[2006-12-29]] | accessdate=2007-01-04}}</ref> These goals reflect the more progressive campaign Edwards is running compared to his 2004 campaign when he did not focus on global warming and universal health care as issues. One of Edwards's most notable policy opinions since announcing his candidacy has been denouncing a troop surge in [[Iraq]], coining it the [[McCain Doctrine]].<ref>{{cite news | url= http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0101iraq-edwards0101.html| title=Edwards calls troop surge 'McCain doctrine' | publisher=AP| date=[[2007-01-01]] | accessdate=2007-01-04}}</ref> Edwards has said that he is not ready to take a position on the issue of [[same-sex marriage]], stating that he is "just not there yet".<ref name="Edwards gay"> {{cite news | url=http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20070101/1061491.asp | title=Universal health care, poverty trump deficit on Edwards' agenda | publisher=AP | date=[[2007-01-01]] | accessdate=2007-01-04}}</ref> In 2004, Edwards stated that he was opposed to same-sex marriage, although he also opposed a Constitutional amendment against it, saying the issue should be left to individual states to decide.<ref name="Edwards on the issues">{{cite news |last= |first= |url=http://www.ontheissues.org/2004/John_Edwards_Civil_Rights.htm |title=John Edwards on Civil Rights |publisher=On the Issues |date=2004 |accessdate=2007-01-03}}</ref><ref> {{cite news |last= |first= |url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/02/24/elec04.marriage.reacts/index.html |title=Bush amendment proposal prompts strong reaction |publisher=John Edwards '08 |date=2004-02-24 |accessdate=2007-01-03}}</ref> Edwards does now offer support for civil unions and partnership benefits.<ref name="Edwards gay"/> In 2004, Edwards expressed reservations about civil unions, saying that he did not think the country was ready for it and that it should be left up to the states.<ref>http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/politics/US/TheNote_May12.html</ref><ref name="Edwards on the issues"/>

In the NFL, ranges of uniform numbers are reserved for certain positions:

*1-9: Quarterbacks, kickers and punters

[[David Bonior]], a former House Democratic Whip from Michigan, is serving as Edwards' campaign manager. Bonior brings strong relationships with organized labor, as well as experience in grassroots campaigning.<ref name="Bonior Joins Edwards"> {{cite news | url=http://http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061229/NEWS04/612290307 | title=Bonior Joins Edwards: Ex-congressman will lead his run for White House | publisher=Detroit Free Press | date=[[2006-12-29]] | accessdate=2007-01-06}}</ref> [[Kate Michelman]], a nationally prominent abortion rights activist and former leader of [[NARAL]], has joined the campaign as a senior adviser, charged with outreach to women.<ref name="Michelman Backs Edwards"> {{cite news | url=http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2774465 | title=Abortion Rights Activist Backs Edwards | publisher=ABC | date=[[2007-01-05]] | accessdate=2007-01-06}}</ref>

*10-19: Quarterbacks, kickers, punters, and wide receivers

*20-49: Running backs and defensive backs

*50-59: Centers and linebackers

*60-79: Offensive and defensive linemen

*80-89: Wide receivers and tight ends

*90-99: Defensive linemen and linebackers

NCAA rules specify only that offensive linemen must have numbers in the 50-79 range, but the association "strongly recommends" that quarterbacks and running backs have numbers below 50 and wide receivers numbers above 79. This helps officials as it means that numbers 50 to 79 are ineligible receivers, or players that normally may not touch the ball.

On January 14, 2007 Edwards spoke at New York City's [[Riverside Church]] where [[Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.]] gave his April 4, 1967 anti-war ''Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence'' speech. In the speech Edwards criticized silence on the "escalation of the war in Iraq." In the speech he also spoke on [[AIDS]] in Africa, energy independence and the impending increase in the [[minimum wage]].<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16634490/ Edwards echoes King's anti-war message], [[Associated Press]], January 15, 2007.</ref>

==Basic strategy==

On March 2, 2007, [[Ann Coulter]] used the word "[[Faggot (epithet)|faggot]]" in a one-liner about presidential candidate Edwards, a remark for which she was criticized by pundits on the left and the right.<ref name="">Staff Writer. "[http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2922565 Controversial columnist draws fire for gay slur]." ''[[ABC News]].'' [[March 4]], [[2007]]. Retrieved on [[March 6]], [[2007]].</ref> Edwards responded to Coulter's remark, saying: "I think it's important that we not reward hateful, selfish, childish behavior with attention..."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,256526,00.html |title=John Edwards Breaks Silence on Coulter's 'Faggot' Barb |work=foxnews.com |accessdate=2007-03-06 |date=[[2007]]-[[03-05]] }}</ref>.

{{Main|American football strategy}}

Because the game stops after every down, giving teams a chance to call a new play, strategy plays a major role in football. Each team has a '''playbook''' of dozens to hundreds of plays. Ideally, each play is a scripted, strategically sound team-coordinated endeavor. Some plays are very safe; they are likely to get only a few yards. Other plays have the potential for long gains but at a greater risk of a loss of yardage or a turnover.

Generally speaking, rushing plays are less risky than passing plays. However, there are relatively safe passing plays and risky running plays. To deceive the other team, some passing plays are designed to resemble running plays and vice versa. There are many trick or gadget plays, such as when a team lines up as if it intends to punt and then tries to run or pass for a first down. Such high-risk plays are a great thrill to the fans when they work. However, they can spell disaster if the opposing team realizes the deception and acts accordingly.

At a press conference on March 22, 2007, John and his wife, Elizabeth, announced that her cancer has returned and is no longer curable, but that it is treatable. At this time, John and his wife announced that the campaign was continuing full steam, and there would be no suspension of the campaign.

The defense also plans plays in response to expectations of what the offense will do. For example, a "blitz" (using linebackers or defensive backs to charge the quarterback) is often attempted when the team on defense expects a pass. A blitz makes downfield passing more difficult but exposes the defense to big gains if the offensive line stems the rush.

====Allegations of anti-Catholicism by staff bloggers====

{{POV-section}}

Many hours of preparation and strategizing, including film review by both players and coaches, go into the days between football games. This, along with the demanding physicality of football (see below), is why teams typically play at most one game per week.

On [[January 30]], [[2007]] Edwards hired [[Amanda Marcotte]], who also contributes to the liberal [[weblog]] Pandagon, to be the new “Blogmaster” on Edwards’ presidential weblog.<ref>[http://blog.johnedwards.com/story/2007/1/30/175015/518 New Blogmaster], Edwards 08 Weblog, January 30, 2007.</ref> Edwards had also hired blogger Melissa McEwan to work with Marcotte. In early February 2007, [[William Donohue]] of the [[Catholic League (U.S.)|Catholic League]] cited past allegedly anti-Catholic comments on Marcotte and McEwan's respective blogs and called on Edwards to fire the bloggers.<ref>http://catholicleague.org/linked%20docs/blogger_comments.htm</ref> He cited Marcotte references to the church's opposition to birth control saying it forces women "to bear more tithing Catholics". He also cited another posting called "Pope and Fascists", and to another describing President Bush's "wingnut Christofacist base". Donohue called the statements "incendiary, it's inflammatory. It's scurrilous and has no place being part of someone's resume who's going to work for a potential presidential contender."

==Physicality==

On February 7, 2007, Salon.com incorrectly reported that the Edwards 2008 bloggers had been fired.<ref>[http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2007/02/07/edwards_bloggers/index.html], Salon.com, February 7, 2007.</ref> However, the Edwards campaign released a statement on February 8, saying "that kind of intolerant language will not be permitted from anyone on my campaign, whether it’s intended as satire, humor or anything else." The statement went on to say that "I also believe in giving everyone a fair shake".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.johnedwards.com/story/2007/2/8/113651/4503 |title=Statement on Campaign Bloggers |accessdate=2007-02-12 |last=Edwards |first=John |authorlink=John Edwards |date=[[2007]]-02-08 }}</ref> Marcotte and McEwan also released statements, with Marcotte claiming her statements about religion "are generally satirical in nature."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.johnedwards.com/story/2007/2/8/112337/1160 |title=About My Personal Blog |accessdate=2007-02-12 |last=Marcotte |first=Amanda |authorlink=Amanda Marcotte |date=[[2007]]-02-08 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.johnedwards.com/story/2007/2/8/112321/6431 |title=My Words |accessdate=2007-02-12 |last=McEwan |first=Melissa |authorlink=Melissa McEwan |date=[[2007]]-02-08 }}</ref> On February 12, Marcotte resigned from the campaign, saying that she could not "do the job I was hired to do because Bill Donohue doesn’t have anything better to do with his time than harass me".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pandagon.net/2007/02/12/announcement/ |title=Announcement |work=Pandagon |accessdate=2007-02-13 |last=Marcotte |first=Amanda |authorlink=Amanda Marcotte |date=[[2007]]-[[02-12]] }}</ref> On February 14, 2007, Melissa McEwan also quit the Edwards 2008 campaign staff, citing personal threats made against her and her family.

{{main|Issues in American football#Injuries}}

American football is a collision sport. To stop the offense from advancing the ball, the defense must tackle the player with the ball by knocking him down. As such, defensive players must use some form of physical contact to bring the ball-carrier to the ground, within certain rules and guidelines. Tacklers cannot kick, punch or trip the runner. They also cannot grab the face mask of the runner's helmet or lead into a tackle with their own helmet. Despite these and other rules regarding unnecessary roughness, most other forms of tackling are legal. Blockers and defenders trying to evade them also have wide leeway in trying to force their opponents out of the way. Quarterbacks are regularly hit by defenders coming on full speed from outside the quarterback's field of vision.

To compensate for this, players must wear special protective equipment, such as a padded plastic [[football helmet|helmet]], [[shoulder pads]], hip pads and knee pads. These protective pads were introduced decades ago and have improved ever since to help minimize lasting injury to players. An [[Risk compensation|unintended consequence]] of all the safety equipment has resulted in increasing levels of violence in the game. Players may now hurl themselves at one another at high speeds without a significant chance of injury. Unfortunately, the injuries that do result tend to be severe and often season or career-ending and sometimes fatal. In previous years with less padding, tackling more closely resembled tackles in [[Rugby football]], with less severe impacts and fewer injuries. Better helmets have allowed players to use their helmets as weapons. All this has caused the various leagues, especially the NFL, to implement a complicated series of penalties for various types of contact. Most recently, virtually any contact with the helmet of a defensive player on the quarterback, or any contact to the quarterback's head, is now a foul.

====Universal healthcare====

Despite protective equipment and rule changes to emphasize safety, injuries remain very common in football. It is increasingly rare, for example, for NFL quarterbacks or running backs (who take the most direct hits) to make it through an entire season without missing some time to injury. Additionally, twenty-eight football players, mostly high schoolers, died from [[Football Injuries|injuries]] directly related to football from 2000-05, although many were related to dehydration or other examples of "non-physical" dangers, according to the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research.<ref>[http://www.unc.edu/depts/nccsi/FootballInjuryData.htm Annual Survey of Football Injury Research 1931 - 2005], [http://www.unc.edu/depts/nccsi/ National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research]. Updated [[January 18]], [[2006]]. Accessed [[October 31]], [[2006]] </ref> [[Concussion]]s are common, with about 41,000 suffered every year among high school players according to the Brain Injury Association of Arizona.<ref>[http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-23-2005/0004093186&EDATE= Studies Suggest 10% of Arizona High School Football Players Will Suffer a Concussion During This Coming Season] [[PR Newswire]] press release from the [http://www.biaaz.org Brain Injury Association of Arizona], [[August 23]], [[2005]]. Accessed [[October 31]], [[2006]] </ref>

On Feb. 5, 2007, Edwards unveiled his plan for universal health care.<ref name="Healthcare">{{cite web |url=http://johnedwards.com/about/issues/health-care-overview.pdf | title=Universal Health Care Through Shared Responsibility}}</ref> The plan subsidizes health insurance purchases for poorer Americans, and requires employers to offer health insurance through the Medicare system as one option for their workers. Since Medicare has lower administrative costs -- under 4%, versus 20% or more for many HMOs<ref name="Healthcare">{{cite web |url=http://www.centerfortheworkingpoor.org/healthcaremain.htm | title=National Health Insurance

Liberal Benefits, Conservative Spending |work=Annals of Internal Medicine)}</ref> -- Edwards believes that individuals will be able to save on health care by using the public option. While it is not a single-payer plan, the plan states that "over time, the system may evolve toward a single-payer approach if individuals and businesses prefer the public plan."

Extra and optional equiptment such as neck rolls and [[knee pads]] help against injury as well, though they do not tend to be used by majority of players because of their lack of requirement.

Edwards said the cost of the plan would be paid for by eliminating Republican-passed tax cuts for people earning more than $200,000 per year. "''The bottom line is we're asking everybody to share in the responsibility of making health care work in this country. Employers, those who are in the medical insurance business, employees, the American people — everyone will have to contribute in order to make this work.''"<ref name="Healthcare">{{cite web |url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1586135,00.html |title=Edwards' Health Care Plan Has Taxes |work=Time.com |accessdate=2007-02-12 |last=Pickler |first=Nedra |date=[[2007]]-[[02-05]] }}</ref>

The danger of football and the equipment required to reduce it make regulation football impractical for casual play. [[Flag football]] and [[touch football (American)|touch football]] are less violent variants of the game popular among recreational players.

==Electoral history==

*'''2004 Race for U.S. President'''

**[[George W. Bush]]/[[Dick Cheney]] (R) (inc.), 51% (286 electoral votes)

**[[John Kerry]]/John Edwards (D), 48% (251 electoral votes)

**John Edwards (D), 0% (1 electoral vote)

**Others, 1% (0 electoral votes)

==History==

*'''1998 General election for United States Senate'''

{{main|History of American football}}

**John Edwards (D), 51%

[[Image:Canada-United States football game at White City Stadium, London, 1944.jpg|thumb|right|Frank Dombrowski (left) of the [[United States]] and Captain W. Drinkwater of [[Canada]], rival captains of the teams playing in the Canada-United States football game at [[White City Stadium]], [[London]], [[England]], 14 February 1944]]

**[[Lauch Faircloth]] (R), 47%

Both American football and [[football (soccer)|soccer]] have their origins in [[football|varieties of football]] played in the [[United Kingdom]] in the mid-19th century. American football is directly descended from [[rugby football]]. The majority of the plays in a typical American football game involve handling the ball rather than kicking it.

**Others, 2%

Many 'first' American football games have been claimed. However, the fact is that there is really no single game which could claim to be the first game of what we today know as American football. This is so because the game has evolved so much from its early roots and the game of today is quite unlike the earliest forms played in the nineteenth century. The origins of American football probably date to the early 1800s when teams from various colleges and secondary schools (necessarily from the Eastern part of the United States because established institutions of learning existed only in that region at the time) met to attempt to move an inflated ball past a line to gain points. This movement was usually achieved by kicking or batting at the ball, as in soccer. The number of men on each side (as men were only then allowed to compete) was quite different than the eleven which characterizes the modern game. It has been claimed that [[Rutgers University]] and [[Princeton University]] played the first game of college football on Nov. 6, 1869 in [[New Brunswick, New Jersey]], won by Rutgers 6-4. However, the viewpoint that this particular game marks the beginning of American football is contested. The English Football (i.e., Soccer) Association rules were followed in the Princeton/Rutgers contest <ref>Gardner, Paul. ''The Simplest Game'', Macmillan, 1996</ref>; participants were only allowed to kick the ball; and each side had twenty five men. Some see the Princeton/Rutgers meeting of 1869 as the first intercollegiate game of "soccer" in America, but not American football <ref>Smith, R.A. "Sports and Freedom: The Rise of Big-Time College Athletics", New York: Oxford University Press, 1988</ref>. [[Dartmouth College]] students played a football-like game now known as "[[Old Division Football]]," to which they published rules in 1871. The first game of intercollegiate football in America that most resembles the game of today was between [[Tufts University]] and [[Harvard University]] on June 4, 1875 at Jarvis Field in [[Cambridge, Mass.]], won by Tufts 1-0 [7] (on May 14, 1874 Harvard and [[McGill University]] faced each other in a similar form of game which was won by Harvard 3-0). A report of the outcome of this game also appeared in the Boston Daily Globe of June 5, 1875. In the Tufts/Harvard game participants were allowed to pick up the ball and run with it, each side fielded eleven men, the ball carrier was stopped by knocking him down or 'tackling' him, and the inflated ball was egg-shaped - the combination of which far more closely resembled the modern American football game than the games of other 'firsts'. Thus, the Tufts/Harvard game may be regarded as the 'first' game of American football.

==Bibliography==

* ''[[Four Trials]]'' (with John Auchard) (New York: Simon and Shuster, 2003) ISBN-10: 0743244974

* ''Home: The Blueprints of Our Lives'' (New York: Collins, 2006) ISBN-10: 0060884541

Encouraged by [[Yale University]]'s [[Walter Camp]], the schools began to adopt more standardized rules that would differentiate American football from rugby in the 1880s. The scrimmage was introduced in 1880 and the system of downs in 1882.

==References==

{{reflist|2}}

By the turn of the 20th century, football had become notoriously dangerous; 18 college players died in 1905 alone. Colleges responded with a series of rule changes to open up the game, most importantly the forward pass, along with outlawing dangerous formations such as the "[[Flying wedge#Sports Usage|flying wedge]]", and introducing and requiring better equipment such as [[football helmet|helmets]].

The game had achieved its modern form by 1912, when the field was changed to its current size, the value of a touchdown increased to 6 points, and a fourth down added to each possession.

Originally dominated by the [[Ivy League]], football soon captured the interest of colleges nationwide. By 1916, when the [[Rose Bowl game]] matching eastern and western teams became an annual event, football had developed a national following second only to [[baseball]] among team sports.

Professional football developed in the mill towns of [[Pennsylvania]] and the [[American Midwest]] in the early years of the 20th century. The NFL was founded in 1920 in [[Canton, Ohio]] as the American Professional Football Association; it adopted its current name in 1922. Professional football remained a largely regional sport of secondary importance until after [[World War II]], when television broadcasts boosted NFL football's national appeal. The pro game surpassed both college football and baseball in popularity in the 1960s.<ref>MacCambridge, Michael. ''America's Game'', Random House, 2004.</ref> The first Super Bowl&mdash;between the champions of the NFL and the rival [[American Football League]]&mdash;was played in 1967, and the leagues merged in 1970.

==External links==

{{wikiquote}}{{Wikisource author}}

* [http://www.johnedwards.com/ John Edwards for President] Official Presidential Campaign

* [http://blog.johnedwards.com/ John Edwards '08 Blog]

* [http://onecorps.com/ One Corps]

* [http://www.StudentsforJohnEdwards.com/ Students for John Edwards]

* July 27, 2004, Democratic National Convention speech: [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,127391,00.html Transcript text]

* October 5, 2004, Vice Presidential Debate: [http://www.debates.org/pages/trans2004b.html Transcript text], [http://cspanquery.streamsage.com/query/playback.smil?XslFile=realplayer.xsl&contentType=text/smil&FILEID=139&WD=true&search=&numDisplay=10&startValue=1&sortBy=file_date&sortOrder=desc&program=&source=&div_display=none&startDate=2004-01-01&endDate=&s Audio] and [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/mmedia/politics/100504-16v.ram Video]

* Subscribe to the John Edwards Podcast [http://www.johnedwards.com/podcast.xml John Edwards for President Podcast]

*[http://www.nndb.com/people/306/000024234/ Notable Names Database]

* {{CongBio2|E000286}}

* [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Edwards Congresspedia profile]

* [http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/e/john_edwards/index.html The New York Times - John Edwards News] news stories and commentary

* [http://ontheissues.org/John_Edwards.htm Voting record], [http://www.opensecrets.org/presidential/summary.asp?ID=N00002283 campaign contributions]

* [http://www.law.unc.edu/Centers/details.aspx?ID=425&Q=3 Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity]

* [http://www.politics1.com/p2008-edwards.htm Politics1: John Edwards]

*[http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1570071,00.html And the Democratic Front-runner Is... John Edwards?] TIME Magazine Article about 2008 Presidential bid of Senator Edwards

==See also==

{{Commons|American football}}

*[[Issues in American football]]

*[[Glossary of American football]]

*[[List of American football players]]

*[[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]

*[[List of leagues of American football]]

*[[List of American football stadiums by capacity]]

*[[Canadian football]]

*[[Nine-man football]]

*[[Eight-man football]]

*[[Six-man football]]

*[[Indiana Big School Football Champions]]

*[[List of American football teams in Germany]]

*[[American Football in the Netherlands]]

*[[List of American football teams in the Netherlands]]

*[[List of defunct sports leagues]]

*[[Sprint football]]

*[[Eyeshield 21]]

*[[Fantasy football (American)|Fantasy Football]]

*[[Strat-O-Matic Football]]

==Notes==

<br clear="both">

<div class="references-small"><references /></div>

{{start box}}

{{U.S. Senator box |

state= North Carolina |

class=3|

before = [[Lauch Faircloth]] |

after = [[Richard Burr]] |

alongside= [[Jesse Helms]], [[Elizabeth Dole]] |

years= [[1999]]&ndash;[[2005]]

}}

{{succession box |

title=[[List of United States Democratic Party Vice Presidential nominees|Democratic Party Vice Presidential candidate]] |

before=[[Joe Lieberman]] |

after= N/A: Most recent'''^(a) |

years=[[U.S. presidential election, 2004|2004]] (lost)

}}

{{succession footnote

| marker=^(a)

| footnote=Most recent presidential election [[Wikipedia:as of|as of]] [[as of 2007|2007]]}}

{{end box}}

==References==

{{USDemVicePresNominees}}

*{{cite web|url = http://www.nfl.com/fans/rules|title = Digest of Rules|publisher = National Football League|accessdate = 2005-12-28}}

{{2008 U.S. presidential election}}

*{{cite web|url = http://www.nfl.com/history|title = History and the basics|publisher = National Football League|accessdate = 2005-12-28}}

*{{cite web|url = http://www.thesportjournal.org/2005Journal/Vol8-No4/starkey.asp|title = Playing with the Percentages When Trailing by Two Touchdowns|publisher = Montana State University|accessdate = 2005-12-24}}

==Further reading==

{{DEFAULTSORT:Edwards, John}}

''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' magazine dated December 4, 2005; "Football America", a series of articles attesting to the pervasive popularity of American football in America at all levels.

==External links==

*[http://www.ncaa.org/library/rules/2006/2006_football_rules.pdf NCAA's complete college football rules; available as a PDF file]

*[http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/S?ammem/papr:@FILREQ(@field(TITLE+@od1(Chicago-Michigan+football+game++))+@FIELD(COLLID+workleis)) Movie of 1903 football game between the University of Chicago and the University of Michigan]

*[http://www.nfl.com/history/chronology/ Chronology of many events in the NFL]

*National Football League [http://www.nfl.com/features/rulebook/signals/ Official Signals].

*[http://www.unc.edu/depts/nccsi/SurveyofFootballInjuries.htm Annual Survey of Football Injury Research]

*[http://www.footballhistorian.net American Football]

*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/american_football/3192002.stm Brief explanation of the sport by the BBC aimed at a non-american audience]

*[http://www.o-d.com Offense-Defense NFL Youth Football Camps]

*[http://www.footballhwy.com Articles on many football topics]

*{{dmoz|Sports/Football/American/|American Football}}

{{American football portal}}

{{Persondata

|NAME=Edwards, Johnny Reid

|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Edwards, John

|SHORT DESCRIPTION=American politician

|DATE OF BIRTH=[[June 10]], [[1953]]

|PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Seneca, South Carolina]]

|DATE OF DEATH=

|PLACE OF DEATH=

}}

[[Category:UnitedAmerican Statesfootball| Senators from North Carolina]]

[[Category:Team sports]]

[[Category:Democratic Party (United States) vice presidential nominees]]

[[Category:UnitedSports Statesin presidentialthe candidatesUnited States]]

[[Category:Social Progressives]]

[[Category:Tennessee lawyers]]

[[Category:North Carolina lawyers]]

[[Category:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni]]

[[Category:Podcasters]]

[[Category:American Methodists]]

[[Category:English Americans]]

[[Category:People from Raleigh, North Carolina]]

[[Category:People from the Triangle, North Carolina]]

[[Category:People from South Carolina]]

[[Category:1953 births]]

[[Category:Living people]]

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