Written by

Zach Hedrick, SMT Writer

Prior to Matlock and before The Andy Griffith Show, there was a comedy routine by the name of "What It Was, Was Football".   

The likelihood is that your children haven't heard this comedy routine.  It's even more likely your grandchildren haven't heard this.  But this is truly a classic piece of "country art" by the late Andy Griffith that should be shared with all the ages. 

This was in a much simpler time in life that was without Google, YouTube or Netflicks.  The idea of a digital new journal like The ShowMe Times wasn't even a thought.  This comedy routine came packed on piece of plastic called a record and was played individually in each home.  This could practically be referred to as "The Land Without iPods, iPhones or iPads".   The idea of an iTunes account was only found in the episode of The Jetsons.

It is reasonable to expect that you ask your child or grandchild to come and listen to this classic piece of art, you will receive one of those all so endearing looks that says "you are so stupid".  But if you are watching this on Facebook or The ShowMe Times, we would argue that you are a little more advanced than the average.

This classic comedy selection was the actual breakout routine that moved the late Andy Griffith to a successful career.  So actually, Andy Griffith got his start with his country boy way of describing a football game.   

It is told that one evening in 1953, while traveling down pastoral N.C. Route 54 from Chapel Hill to an appearance in Raleigh, Griffith was struck by an inspiration that would ignite his career.

He dreamed up a comic monologue about a country bumpkin mystified by a game “where you try to run across a cow pasture without getting hit or stepping in something.”  It got big laughs in that day and still brings a smile to many today.

"What It Was, Was Football" sold a million copies. It got Griffith on The Ed Sullivan Show and established Griffith as a Southern comedic voice.

Draw a crowd into the room and enjoy this YouTube video below.  

What It Was, Was Football  ~ANDY GRIFFITH