You seem to have a sensible approach, more so than many sports fans who are fanatical protective of "their" game.
I love American Football, but it is a different game than real football. Real football will always be closest to my heart as it is the game I grew up with.
Which game is better is pointless to dicuss.
To quote James Bond:
[James is in bed with a Ling, a Chinese woman]
James Bond: Why do Chinese girls taste different from all other girls?
Ling: You think we better, huh?
James Bond: No, just different. Like Peking Duck is different from Russian Caviar. But I love them both.
Cheers.
BTW, for me "real" football is played on a gridiron where you are allowed to knock the hell out of the other player and get chees and high fives for it not a silly yellow card....;-)
Cheers