Answer:
0.231 N
Explanation:
To get from rest to angular speed of 6.37 rad/s within 9.87s, the angular acceleration of the rod must be

If the rod is rotating about a perpendicular axis at one of its end, then it's momentum inertia must be:

According to Newton 2nd law, the torque required to exert on this rod to achieve such angular acceleration is

So the force acting on the other end to generate this torque mush be:

A soccer ball would keep moving forever without physics, because without force to act upon the soccer ball, it could, or will not be able to stop the acceleration. And force is a factor in physics.