The bone-shattering truth: U.S. football is doomed

Chicago Tribune ^ | May 04, 2012 | John Kass

[MinorityRepublican]

With the apparent suicide of NFL great Junior Seau, who played 20 years in the world's most violently glamorous sport, American football is dying.

It's about time. The nationally televised gambling and meat-rendering factory cannot survive without new players.

And the parents of future players are asking themselves this:

Is football worth it for my child?

[boop]

Actually tennis is a great sport, but it can be very tough on knees. And long distance running? My uncle is a world class marathoner who had both knees replaced at 50. Both are non-contact.

[SkyDancer]

Difference Between Football And Football

[boop]

If you ask most ex-NFL players if it was “worth it”, the VAST majority say yes. Just to get to play at that level.

[Colonel Kangaroo]

As America becomes queer the youth will be less interested, and helicopter mothers concerned about if their kids took all their allergy medicine that morning would prevent them from playing anyhow. Fat kids, medicated, eating fast food because both parents work, growing up watching TV and playing a gaming machine shouldn't be exposed to the vast risks associated with American football.

There is a reason why soccer is rapidly growing in suburban America. It's much less violent and the way it is played also allows everyone to be a winner on many of these youth teams!

Soccer as played in the rest of the world is different. Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna broke his leg today for the second time this season. His coach had this to say:

'It is broken fibula, the same leg. He was kicked on it, it has not happened alone.

'When he was kicked, he has broken the leg. The guy closed him down and walked on him. I dont know if it was deliberate or not.'

Just a plain mean lack of sportsmanship. Not the sterotypical soccer attitude that many have in the USA.

[Black_Shark]

True that’s why I prefer clay. Preserves the knees.

It also doesn’t compare to a 250lb linebacker spearing you in the side of the knee. That absolutely shatters em.

Kudos to your Uncle. I was a sub 17min 5k’er in High School so I know how rough that is on the body. Running may the most mentally-challenging and physically painful sport ever invented.

[skimask]

Not going to happen. Football is not going away. Too many billionaire owners have too much to loose should that happen and that’s the bottom line.

[Colonel Kangaroo]

QPR’s going to be in a fight to the end.

Considering their finale is on the road with Manchester City who will be playing for the championship, they'd better win tomorrow! And a lot will ride on who does better agsinst Stoke.

[Our man in washington]

If fewer Americans youth play, other countries will be glad to provide players. The Samoans have sent a lot of players to the NFL (including Seau) and a few very good Africans have emerged.

[SuziQ]

With the kind of money the players get in the big leagues, there will always be young men who want to play, and parents who are willing to let their kids take the risk.

[elpadre]

my Dad played with a leather helmet and no facial protection in the late 20’s, early thirties. He lived a great (stable) life, remained married to the same woman for many years, and raised a house full of good, productive kids. All the boys played college football - only one bar across the face in my day. My wife may disagree, but I think I am mentally OK.

IMO the percentage of mental type injuries among all players is very small, tiny - better to outlaw driving cars. (sarc)

[Ole Okie]

In 1905, 18 football players were killed and 159 severely injured.

President Teddy Roosevelt threatened to outlaw the game by executive order unless changes were made to eliminate the mass brawls that caused so much damage.

And lo! Changes were made, including requiring 6 men on the line of scrimmage (later changed to 7), requiring a neutral zone, no interlocking blocking, no flying tackles, no slugging, allowing the forward pass and a number of other changes.

The game will evolve and survive.

[King Moonracer]

Nahh, they just need bigger helmets.

[rlmorel]

Football IS America’s sport.

The only thing more boring to me than soccer is golf. No, wait. Baseball.

Nanny staters are trying to make sitzpinklers out of men. The other Freeper who mentioned the NFL is doomed because it is a sport no woman is likely ever going to play at a professional level may be on to something.

As was the poster who suggested that soccer was the perfect socialist/communist sport.

[GeorgiaDawg32]

I love Rugby “League”, Rugby “Union”, not so much.

[23 Everest]

Anyone remember when Rush had a few radio shows with bleeding hearts relating the damage caused by soccer balls. It was hilarious and sad. Some people are sheep to be monetarily fleeced.

[rlmorel]

Hayek knew of what he spoke:

[SkyDancer]

Got that from a friend who’s always kidding me about American football.

[theDentist]

John kAss.... ****head extraordinaire.

[RichInOC]

Joe Theismann got his lower leg snapped live on national television, during a Monday Night Football broadcast. If that didn’t get the game shut down, concussions won’t. Sorry.

[Stand W]

Soccer was invented by European women who needed something to do while their men did the cooking.