“If gymnastics were easy, it would be called football”

“If gymnastics were easy, it would be called football” is a saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts, posters and bumper stickers. “If gymnastics were easy, they’d call it football” was cited in print in January 1994.
 
Sayings with a similar theme include “If cheerleading were any easier, it would be called football” and “If figure skating was easy, it would be called hockey.”
 
 
28 January 1994, Chicago (IL) Tribune, “Girls gymnastics rapidly becoming a contact sport” by Bob Sakamoto, Sports, pg. 14:
One local gymnastics club is selling T-shirts that read: “If gymnastics were easy, they’d call it football.”
 
21 February 1995, Pharos-Tribune (Logansport, IN),  “Logan Gymnasts Keeping Eyes On Sectional Title” by Lewis Bagley, pg. B1, col. 2:
A T-shirt at Saturday’s North Central Conference gymnastics meet at the Berry Bowl read: If gymnastics was any easier, it would be called football.
 
18 August 1995, Miami (FL) Herald, “Male gymnasts try to keep up,” Sports, pg. 1D:
“Hey, if gymnastics was any easier, they’d call it football.”
 
19 September 1996, Palm Beach (FL) Post, “Gymnastics more than gold medals, parents say” by Dale Fuchs, pg. 1A:
They wear T-shirts to meets that say, “If gymnastics were easier, it would be called football.”
 
5 April 1997, Fort Worth (TX) Star-Telegram, “Spiraling Upward: Gymnastics club reaches new heights by winning state,” Sports, pg. 16:
“We have a sign in the gym that says, ‘If gymnastics were easy, it would be called football,’” she said.
 
Google Books
Life’s A Gas:
Foibles, Faux Pas and Social Blunders
By Ken Alley
Lincoln, NE: iUniverse.com, Inc.
2001
Pg. 139:
IF GYMNASTICS WERE EASY, IT WOULD BE CALLED FOOTBALL
 
Google Books
Perfect Balance
By Dani J. Bradley
Xlibris.com
2009
Pg. 7:
I saw a bumper sticker once that, for me, says it all. ‘If gymnastics were easy, they’d call it football’!