What is an 'iron man' in sports?

Answer 1

"Playing Iron-man" means playing as an offensive player and a defensive player, as well, perhaps, as a special teams player all within the same game. It generally involves mastering both offensive and defensive playbooks, being sufficiently competent at multiple positions to merit a starting position in two or more, keeping up with the training regime of both offensive and defensive units, and having the discipline and stamina to voluntarily play in all or nearly all plays in any given game.

As such, across all levels of American football, players "playing Iron-man" range in rarity from perhaps a handful a decade to unheard of in over a half century.

An example would be a player playing Center on offense and Nose Tackle on defense in the same game, only coming off the field for special teams plays.

The term "Iron-man football" is the popular name for the "one-platoon system," wherein player substitution is strictly limited and nearly all players have defensive, offensive and special teams roles and the vast majority of players play nearly complete games. Until the 1940's this was the only system by which American football was played. The University of Michigan adopted the "two-platoon system" (often simply referred to as "the platoon system") in 1945, creating specialist offensive and defensive units. This system became the standard until the final abolition of Iron-man or one-platoon football by the NCAA in 1965.

Players and teams, during the transition period of 1945-1965 and the rare few players since 1965, who continued to play in multiple roles were referred to as Iron-men. It is sometimes said in praise of Iron-men that "the only people who spend more time on the field are the refs."

Since the system is now long out of use and very few players have played both sides of the ball in decades, the term nowadays is sometimes applied to players who lay it on the line every play or who display incredible endurance, toughness and leadership. This usage is not without controversy, as, as late as 2006, traditional Iron-men have continued to exist, at least in the NCAA, albeit in very small numbers. Traditional Iron-men and football purists often consider the wider application of the term a cheapening of it, and in those circles it is frowned upon to apply it to anyone who does not actually play in multiple roles and in the vast majority of plays in any game in which they appear.

The most prominent example of a player who plays in only one role being referred to as an Iron-man is Brett Favre, who was given the nickname "Iron Man" by the Pro-Football Hall of Fame. He is known as such because he holds the record for career starts, having never once missed a start in his 19 year career. Note that this usage is not controversial and few if any of those critical of the wider application of the term consider Favre undeserving of his nickname.

Regardless of whether the original or wider definition is being applied, few players today are ever referred to as an "Iron-man" and being known as one is likely to be the greatest compliment a player will ever receive.

Answer 2

Ironman is a super hero who built a super-powerful suit of armor that is electronically advanced in every way. It was built by a fictional character named Anthony 'Tony' Stark II who is the richest fictional man in the world from owning Stark Industries.

Answer 3

Generally it's the player who has played in the most consecutive games in Major League History. Today the record holder is Cal Ripken at 2,632. Lou Gehrig was the former record holder at 2,130 and had the nickname "The Iron Horse". Six players are considered to hold the nickname "Iron Man" with the most famous being HOFers Cal Ripken and Joe McGinnity. Archie Campbell, Ray Mueller, Wiley Piatt & Ray Starr also bore the "Iron Man" moniker during the careers. Ripken was the "Iron Man" for his consecutive games played streak while McGinnity earned it by pitching both ends of double-headers.

Answer 4

A strong man of exceptional physical endurance. In Arena Football, "Ironman" signifies participants playing both offense and defense. Typically, linemen get to pass block as well as rush the passer, wideouts play either defensive back or linebacker and fullbacks play linebacker. Each year, the league honors an Ironman of the Year, and, six of the last seven seasons, Orlando's Barry Wagner has won the award.

Answer 5

a very long triathlon that takes up to 20 hours. the run is a full marathon!!!

Answer 6

a song by Black Sabbath