Comments on: Are You Not Entertained?

By: monkey

monkey — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 06:41:16 +0000

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?page=hotread16/Birk

By: monkey

monkey — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:32:37 +0000

wadE: yes, this is why unions exist. Nobody forced folks to work in appalling and dangerous conditions in mines and garment factories, but… Here’s a question: Do rugby players get injuries, concussions, and lifelong medical troubles at the same rate as American football players? Fire up espn360.com (if you get it) and watch a rugby match. The tackling style is radically different… because they’re not wearing pads. Food for thought? (alex: who was the hockey player who wouldn’t let his kids play b/c the kids were required to wear helmets, and he felt that the false sense of security opened up more problems than it solved?)
Yes, this stuff takes the shine off the game for me too. I don’t want to see no-contact hockey or de-violenced football, but… there’s gotta be a safer middle ground, right?

By: alex

alex — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:03:03 +0000

Just to be clear. My point is that *I’m* a little unsettled, knowing these facts, watching men (and college kids) perform an activity that has such a good possibility of so affecting their lives.

By: alex

alex — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:56:12 +0000

No? Parents don’t sign their kids up to play youth football? Kids aren’t psychologically rewarded for playing well? This doesn’t get them hooked? You’re right, of course, but it’s not entirely the point, either. Also, like I said, I’m NOT just talking about those fairly well-rewarded NFL players. The evidence suggests that playing college football could be just as dangerous. It’s just something to think about.

By: wadE

wadE — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:38:14 +0000

My gut reaction (without taking a lot of time to digest) is: no one is forcing people to play football.
There are some good points about: not taking care of their own, salary cap, new data on long term health. But the players have a union. If the union feels they are getting a raw deal they have an opportunity to address that very soon.