American football is down-to-earth. Does it also work in political situations-

During a recent speech, Tim Walz, the Governor of Minnesota and newly designated Democratic vice presidential candidate, drew on his past as a high school football coach to emphasize his grassroots appeal. He recalled the experience of coaching at Mankato West High School, where the football team famously struggled through a 27-game losing streak. Despite being a geography teacher by profession, Walz took on the role of defensive coach and led the team to a state championship victory in 1990, just three years after joining the coaching staff.

At the recent Democratic National Convention, Walz proudly highlighted this achievement, mentioning his reliance on the 4-4 defense strategy. This approach features four defensive linemen, four linebackers, and three defensive backs, which is particularly effective in high school games where running plays are more common. The 4-4 can effectively block rushing attacks and defend against short passes.

However, this defensive scheme is rarely seen in the NFL today, where the focus has shifted to passing plays, often forcing defenses to field five defensive backs. The flexibility of a 4-4 setup is also less adaptable compared to the more modern 4-3 or 3-4 formations, marking it as a more traditional tactic.

In the context of his speech, Walz’s mention of football defense serves as a metaphor for his approach to politics—grounded, practical, and results-oriented. It raises the question of how well this football narrative will resonate with potential voters as he campaigns for office.