The one great thing about the NFL is this kind of behaviour is not tolerated. I have many times cited this as being because these players all have gone to college or university and are a little more civilized then Hockey. Yet what they do is "but heads" and tackle opponents with as much force as possible.
The real problem as I see it is that the professional players and franchise owners have all gotten bigger then the game. This is why I'm having trouble watching them anymore. The money is getting out of hand and the pressure too great for "good sportsmanship" to survive.
But why are so many players so dirty? If they are "growing the game" then respect for their fellow players should be present. But somehow this is viewed as weak, and not doing what ever you can to "win". In both football and hockey hit's to the head is becoming an epidemic. But this is learned from minor leagues, coaches that feel they "must win" at all costs to keep their positions. They train the players to"finnish their hits" and to follow through, never back down. If you want to make sports safer, this is where you need to start.
I loved hockey growing up, and football and baseball. But I was shown the door when I refused to be unsportsmanlike, I would not or could not throw at someone, or hit someone from behind. I just can't see how that was fun, and today I can't watch hockey as that is what is shown, the fights. Was it fun watching that player get knocked out the other day? Guess I'm just not mean (or man) enough.
7 billion "beating each other senseless" and counting.
Couldn’t agree more.
ReplyDeleteIt’s completely hypocritical for these leagues to be “promoting concussion awareness” and at the same time still struggling to define head shots and yes, even allowing fighting in hockey. The NFL is great in their ability to prevent all out brawls sure. But why is the ability to prevent players from openly punching each other in the regular course of competition even considered an accomplishment? Regardless, they do a good job because they enforce the rules strictly and the extra stuff is not tolerated. Also, interesting argument about the higher maturity level of NFL players. I like it, although it still seems like there are a lot of idiots that would still attempt to talk with punches if not for the stricter rules. I can fully understand a player losing it in the heat of the moment in a hockey game, but let them face some stricter consequences then a 5 minute penalty mixed with a pat on the back from your coaches and teammates.
The NFL might have the biggest hypocrite of all in Commissioner Goodell, promoting a switch to an 18 game schedule and refusing to pay competent officials while pontificating about player safety. But still, at least they don’t repeatedly punch each other in the face a couple times a game. Unfortunately, the masses do get stuck in the manly “part of the game argument”. Wouldn’t be surprised if it takes someone becoming permanently disabled from a fight before the discussion gets serious.
Well said, the game has become secondary, the egos are the primary. Still it's so ironic, as this hit almost all sports at the same time. Concussions covers all but darts and lawn bowling. Just when they could do no wrong, bam, concussions.
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