Posted on 05/26/2012 6:42:51 AM PDT by Michael van der Galien
Banning college football is un-American.
Being European, I can’t help but wonder over recent debates in the United States about the NFL and college football. Increasingly more analysts believe that these sports should be banned, or at least ‘reformed’. The latter of course meaning that they’ll lose what makes them unique and appealing to sports fans everywhere.
Now, make no mistake about it: I’m just as convinced as the average Joe that football is a very dangerous sport indeed. But why did this fact take analysts by surprise?
I still remember the first time I watched the NFL: I was shocked – shocked. These weren’t athletes, they were gladiators. Anyone not blind could see that they were out to hurt each other and that the crowd loved them for it.
Once I got into the NFL, I started watching college football too. It was just as great, if not better, simply because it’s less commercial. These youngsters were trying to prove themselves; they wanted to be the best they could possibly be, while hoping for a professional career in the NFL. They were willing to run through brick walls to reach their goals.
Of course, they too were taken off the field regularly. One had a concussion, another a broken leg. Some of the injured players were probably scarred for life. That much was clear.
But that’s their choice. What’s more, their freedom to make that choice is what makes America… America. That’s what that great country of yours stands for: the freedom to pursue your own happiness, regardless of what know-it-alls think.
That’s why I can’t quite wrap my head around articles such as this interview in Slate about college football.
(Excerpt) Read more at pjmedia.com ...
Well my school (Old Dominion) just jumped full force into division 1A football and I donated a good bit of money to make that happen and the school is planning a stadium upgrade in the tens of millions. Furthermore, we just bolted our regional conference for a national one. I can tell you if they ban college football, there will be riots in Norfolk. Texas and Alabama would probably seccede.
Football may change, but it’s not going anywhere.
It’s too ingrained into the American culture. You would see full out riots before you would see in banned.
Just think about it, what would people do on Thangsgiving to avoid talking to drunk Uncle Jack? Americans NEED football.
Don’t forget Florida. We have UF, FSU, and UM.
That’s great video. Christiano Ronaldo is a great player, but he’s a whiny bitch.
And USF, UCF, FAU, FIU etc. I really think this whole football thing is just a Northeastern intellectual elite attack on Southern culture. Problem is it is also strong in the Midwest and California.
I agree. College football is bigger than the pros down here. Jax can never sellout the stadium, UF always does. Especially UF vs. UG in JAX.
;-P
The only thing I would like is to quit calling it College football.
It is no longer for the students it is big business. Still don’t want it banned.
Only slightly off topic, as this is a discussion concerning “football”.
;-P
Maybe we could find a way to outsource college football to the ChiComs.
Dang, I need to proofread more before I hit post. Sorry for the fracture grammar.
I like the idea of reform in that it could lead to more football.
Right now, you have athletes who pretend to be college students, who after they graduate are discarded like used facial tissues, with only a tiny minority becoming professionals. The rest are condemned to minimum wage jobs after losing four productive years with no pay at all.
Instead, universities should hire them as athletes to represent the school playing football, as “minor league” teams that are affiliated with professional teams. They are not students and can have an entire career as a minor leaguer, as professional athletes, earning enough to live on and even do well with a school sponsored endowment investment retirement fund.
This would cost the universities a lot of “free money” they get from the sweat and injuries of their athletes, which is very unfair if you think about it. If an athlete results in a university making several hundred thousand dollars, then he should get something out of the deal.
And spare us all the crocodile tears of “NCAA rules” and “the spirit of amateur sports”, which is hooey and they know it. They get all the money and the ex-athlete gets to live as a cripple on skid row for the rest of their life isn’t very fair.
Lead cleats and poisoned Gatorade...
OK...don’t bann it...just pay the semi-pros who are already playing.
It’s all a subset of the NFL...those guys aren’t in college for an education...so give them a living while they pretend they are students.
No one is making them play football, and they know the physical risks. Many wouldn’t be in college if it was not for football. They can choose to become educated or not.
...those guys aren’t in college for an education...
And when they graduate, most of them don’t have a high school education.
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