September 20, 2014

  • Quitting Football

    I'm on the brink of quitting watching football.  Really!  It's not just about Ray Rice or Adrian Peterson or Roger Goodell.  That's kind of the last straw.  Frank DeFord offered an editorial on NPR's Morning Edition that reminded me of the concussion problem, and that fully a third of retired players are mentally impaired because of the repeated blows to the brain as that soft, delicate tissue keeps getting bounced into the skull.

    I'm kind of an addict.  Boss Tom reminds me that I shouldn't claim addiction, because the REAL addicts watch eight games at a time on Sundays and bet on all the games and yadda yadda yadda.  I'm not that sick, but I'm sick enough to tape more than one pre-game talk show so I can hear what Chris Carter and Terry Bradshaw both have to say about things.

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    If those hyperlinks work, it's because I've learned the trick of emailing the links to myself and cut and pasting here.  If they don't work, you can probably find George Dohrmann's article through Google.  He has a link to the Rick Reilly article.
    I was actually "on the brink" before reading Dohrmann or being reminded of Reilly.  I said as much to Stefan Fatsis in an email just the other day.  Stefan hasn't replied yet.  My point to him, and to readers here, is that if I'M on the brink, then how many other fans are?
    The jury's still out, but if I follow through and quit watching, and I'm just one of many, then maybe just maybe the sport of football will pay dearly for what's been going on -- regarding domestic abuse, and brain concussions.
    We'll see.

Comments (13)

  • I know (intellectually) that the players are a cross section of society and I should not be surprised that there are individuals exhibiting addictions, violence, abuse, as well as compassion, generosity, and spirituality. What is bothersome is that these people by virtue of their athletic skills are held as role models. Sadly they often fall short and topple from the pedestal we have placed them on. The fault is theirs for they are ultimately responsible for their actions but we must accept our part in holding up mere humans as demi-gods.... just my thoughts.

  • I knew Xangans who were Steelers 's fans ! Personally I know more soccer but the money reigns!
    In friendship
    Michel

  • People should take responsibility for their own actions -- I agree with murisopsis that what is bothersome is that the players have become role models, in their good OR BAD behaviors. Football is a violent sport -- it's a shame that the violence the players are trained for spills over into their personal lives, and then becomes a model for the rest of us. Just part of the degradation of our society!

  • I don't understand this whole addiction of young boys admiring jocks like these guys. In the end, it will be monkey see monkey do, when it comes to abuse. Unfortunately some of these players get a slap on the wrist, and they are set free.
    I don't watch football often!

  • BOB!! YOU'RE STILL HERE!! And I'm back! How are you and Barbara? I have so missed you!

  • RYC : Thanks Bob for your comment about the sad events in France and for your support
    In friendship
    Michel

  • Testing.

  • RYC : thanks Bob for your encouragements about the row of surgeries I got for 6 months.
    In friendsip
    Michel

  • I wish this was original but here goes: What do you call a holiday ornament made up of hundred-dollar bills? A wreath of Franklins.

    Alas, I can no longer publish. But I CAN comment.

  • I can't post a link, but I CAN refer you to "Chris Borland." Just Google him and catch the latest news. As a 49er fan, I was devastated -- UNTIL I read his comments. I'm deliriously happy for him and proud of him.

  • May I CAN link to the Chris Borland article!

  • I guess not.

  • I'm REALLY annoyed that I can't blog anymore. Unwilling to pay Xanga $50/year for a privilege I'd previously paid $100 for a lifetime premium membership.

    I'm ALSO annoyed at the Lufthanse crash due to the insane pilot Andreas Lubitz.

    The solution is so simple.

    1. Repeal HIPPA and all the other stupid laws that forbid disclosure of mental illness or any other sensitive information. Instead of taking action against well-meaning hospital employees who inadvertently violate HIPPA by accidentally disclosing medical info, INSTEAD of that, prosecute the employers and insurance companies who discriminate against sick people.

    2. Destigmatize mental illness. As I suspected, Lubitz was mentally ill, but concealed the fact from his employer so he could be a copilot that day and kill 150 innocent people AND ruin the lives of not only close families of the deceased but ALSO destroy the confidence of the rest of us who MIGHT want to fly in a plane some day.

    Too bad i can't blog any more. Nobody will see this.

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