Interesting Rick Reilly read...and very true.

[dre1919]

Reilly: NFL becoming a guilty pleasure - ESPN

Unfortunately, as much as I live football, this is sadly true. We are watching grown men slowly killing each other for a sport and the money, fame and status it brings. It is all wonderful as long as they are young and willing. But, as with everyone, they eventually get old and deal with the real cost of playing the sport later. All the while, we cheer on our new batch of gladiators after the former batch is used up.

 

[rikkitikki08]

Its true to a certain extent but Rick Reilly is a dramatic little bitch

 

[Norcal Irish]

I played High School and some College Football. I would not change a thing. My knees hurt...concussions etc.

 

[nvirish]

I watched this piece and I get the concern of future health conditions. What about coal miners, military members and other dangerous jobs that exist and do not get paid millions. These guys have a choice on whether to play or not. Like I said it is something to keep an eye on but that piece made the players sound like cry babies.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Its true to a certain extent but Rick Reilly is a dramatic little bitch

^

 

[Rack Em]

I watched this piece and I get the concern of future health conditions. What about coal miners, military members and other dangerous jobs that exist and do not get paid millions. These guys have a choice on whether to play or not. Like I said it is something to keep an eye on but that piece made the players sound like cry babies.

Exactly.

Dear NFL Players,

If you're so mistreated and underappreciated why don't you get real jobs like the rest of the country? You know the risks of playing football and yet you chose to accept those risks only to cry about the consequences after the fact. You're paid handsomely because of those risks, and paid well more than many of you are worth.

You all had a choice to pursue a dream and you did. Get over yourselves.

Sincerely,
Someone who doesn't give a rip about your "problems"

 

[Bluto]

Exactly.

Dear NFL Players,

If you're so mistreated and underappreciated why don't you get real jobs like the rest of the country? You know the risks of playing football and yet you chose to accept those risks only to cry about the consequences after the fact. You're paid handsomely because of those risks, and paid well more than many of you are worth.

You all had a choice to pursue a dream and you did. Get over yourselves.

Sincerely,
Someone who doesn't give a rip about your "problems"

"Yeah but we didn't go to college to play school!".

 

[Rhode Irish]

I watched this piece and I get the concern of future health conditions. What about coal miners, military members and other dangerous jobs that exist and do not get paid millions. These guys have a choice on whether to play or not. Like I said it is something to keep an eye on but that piece made the players sound like cry babies.

I think the major difference is the entertainment aspect of it. Coal miners and firefighters are doing jobs that are basically necessary for our society to function. Football players aren't essential. Society should at least ask itself the question of whether it is ok with the idea that we are encouraging people to put their health and their lives in jeopardy for the purposes of our entertainment. Maybe we are, but we should at least educate ourselves about what is actually happening before we answer the question.

 

[gkIrish]

Not going to read the article. Don't give this tool any hits.

 

[irishog77]

Didn't read it. Won't read anything by that loser.

But from based off what y'all have said about the piece, I have one simple suggestion for Reilly-- quit being a bitch and simply quit watching, reporting, and profiting personally off the sport then.

You do this, you sage Reilly, and then I'll quit watching football.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Ha it's funny....the thought of actually reading the article never even crossed my mind. I think if you know the topic, you can pretty much figure out what Rick wrote about it. No need to read it.

 

[dre1919]

Rick is a drama queen bitch for certain. But I totally agree with the take above that they get paid to hurt, more so than a lot of other "normal" people physically demanding or dangerous jobs that leave them battered.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

I don't need to read this tool's bad analogies and shaky conclusion he draws from circumstantial evidence. Rick Reilly is everything that's wrong with sports journalism and is generally awful.

 

[wizards8507]

But, as with everyone, they eventually get old and deal with the real cost of playing the sport later. All the while, we cheer on our new batch of gladiators after the former batch is used up.

Sucks.

The only only ONLY way this is a story is if the NFL straight up lied to players about the risks involved with head injuries (which they might have done). You can't lie to employees. However, fully grown and informed men should be able to kill themselves for $10 million a year, $50,000 a year, or for free if they feel like it.

 

[johnnycando]

If you want to make the NFL wholesome again, get rid of all safety equipment.

The anti-concussion helmets, anti-bruising thigh pads, anti-abrasion knee pads, etc allows the players to hit with too much force.

The players would adapt to make good decisions based on risk. Not the lack there of.

 

[IrishLion]

I think the major difference is the entertainment aspect of it. Coal miners and firefighters are doing jobs that are basically necessary for our society to function. Football players aren't essential. Society should at least ask itself the question of whether it is ok with the idea that we are encouraging people to put their health and their lives in jeopardy for the purposes of our entertainment. Maybe we are, but we should at least educate ourselves about what is actually happening before we answer the question.

Here's the thing though: if people were to decide that they are not okay with people physically harming themselves for our entertainment, they would stop watching. Attendance suffers as well as TV ratings. Now you've got players and owners complaining because people are NOT watching them hurt themselves because they aren't making as much money anymore.

And further from that, where do we draw the line? What happens to professional boxing? MMA? Lacrosse? Hockey? These are all physical sports that put athletes' health at risk for our entertainment. Do we decide that we aren't okay with those guys risking their health either?

 

[cody1smith]

This guy is a tool. Running,dancing hell even singing wears on people after a while. Its life we get old and our shit falls apart. I saw a doctor on tv a while back say that the reason Tom Hanks developed diabetes was due to gaining and loosing weight to get rolls.

 

[Grahambo]

Football is a game that is 100% voluntary. People get hurt in all aspects of life. Football players aren't the only ones getting concussions, dementia, etc.

Also, gladiators were a spectator sport. I think we've evolved some. haha

 

[ACamp1900]

Football is a game that is 100% voluntary. People get hurt in all aspects of life. Football players aren't the only ones getting concussions, dementia, etc.

Also, gladiators were a spectator sport. I think we've evolved some. haha

This, also... they do it for our enjoyment?? Last I checked people play sports at a young age because it's fun, and then, if gifted enough they play to make a living or earn a scholarship... or again, because they enjoy it.

I understand the point, and agree with it to a point... but some comments here make it seem like they are indentured and forced to do it for the insane masses…

 

[Rhode Irish]

Here's the thing though: if people were to decide that they are not okay with people physically harming themselves for our entertainment, they would stop watching. Attendance suffers as well as TV ratings. Now you've got players and owners complaining because people are NOT watching them hurt themselves because they aren't making as much money anymore.

And further from that, where do we draw the line? What happens to professional boxing? MMA? Lacrosse? Hockey? These are all physical sports that put athletes' health at risk for our entertainment. Do we decide that we aren't okay with those guys risking their health either?

Right. I'm not saying we should cancel football. I just think the idea that people are suffering serious health problems as a result of their playing football for many years needs to be acknowledged and factored into our decisions - whether we watch and whether they play. If they know they can have these problems later in life but decide the money and the fame and the glory are worth it, I'm not going to argue and I'm not going to stop watching. But they should at least know and get the chance to decide for themselves, and fans should know so they can all come to their own decision about whether they want to watch.

 

[palinurus]

.

 

[palinurus]

If you want to make the NFL wholesome again, get rid of all safety equipment.

The anti-concussion helmets, anti-bruising thigh pads, anti-abrasion knee pads, etc allows the players to hit with too much force.

The players would adapt to make good decisions based on risk. Not the lack there of.

I generally agree with this. I've wondered about removing the facemasks too, and whether it would remove some of the "using heads as a weapon" plays. But take it a step further. I also wonder if some of the same rules they went to to make football more offensive minded have opened up QBs and WRs to the vicious hits we're talking about. I mean once they took out the bump and run, and WRs had more time to get wide wide open, did it lead to the vicious hits of the wide receivers going for the ball?

Of course, part of it is just bigger stronger faster guys. So maybe these are crazy ideas. And besides, getting rid of the equipment would just plump the lawsuits they already and will face.

 

[Grahambo]

This, also... they do it for our enjoyment?? Last I checked people play sports at a young age because it's fun, and then, if gifted enough they play to make a living or earn a scholarship... or again, because they enjoy it.

I understand the point, and agree with it to a point... but some comments here make it seem like they are indentured and forced to do it for the insane masses…

Exactly. It's a violent sport, so is hockey…and boxing…and MMA. It's all 100% voluntary and guys do walk away from these sports.

Sorry to some but I just don't feel sympathy for guys who can make $400k as league minimum. Shoot, practice squad players make a minimum of $6000 a week.

(Souce: NFL practice squad: Salary, rules and eligibility - SBNation.com)

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

Watching ghetto kids/adults beat the crap out of each other for entertainment is pretty effed but I still do it.

Orwell was wrong!



or maybe he wasn't

 

[IrishLion]

Right. I'm not saying we should cancel football. I just think the idea that people are suffering serious health problems as a result of their playing football for many years needs to be acknowledged and factored into our decisions - whether watch and whether they play. If they know they can have these problems later in life but decide the money and the fame and the glory are worth it, I'm not going to argue and I'm not going to stop watching. But they should at least know and get the chance to decide for themselves, and fans should know so they can all come to their own decision about whether they want to watch.

This is currently happening, which is awesome. It's unfortunate that this is only the case because of former players making headlines and because the NFL has finally been pressured on the issue, but at least it finally IS happening.

Players now know what they could be at risk for later in life, and parents are making tough decisions when it comes to their children participating. Moving forward, there will be no reason for anyone to act surprised about the issue. Either athletes are willing to take the risk or they aren't. It shouldn't have anything to do with how society feels; these are grown men, and they are finally getting the information they need to decide their future with the sport.

It also makes me sad that youth football numbers are down. We might be missing out on the greatest player of all time because his parents aren't willing to let him play and develope a love for the game. But, you can't blame the parents for wanting to keep their kids safe (though I disagree that young kids are even at risk of the issues that have come to light, though that's a different debate entirely).

 

[Sureal]

Football is a game that is 100% voluntary. People get hurt in all aspects of life. Football players aren't the only ones getting concussions, dementia, etc.

Also, gladiators were a spectator sport. I think we've evolved some. haha

Nailed it.
I'd beer you if I knew you in person.

 

[woolybug25]

Football is a game that is 100% voluntary. People get hurt in all aspects of life. Football players aren't the only ones getting concussions, dementia, etc.

Also, gladiators were a spectator sport. I think we've evolved some. haha

Didn't read the article or even have a good opinion on the matter, but thought I would add this little know factoid…

A great deal of gladiators weren't slaves. Many were volunteers looking for a way to improve their class status.

In general, gladiators were condemned criminals, prisoners of war, or slaves bought for the purpose of gladiatorial combat by a lanista, or owner of gladiators. Professional gladiators were free men who volunteered to participate in the games. In The Satyricon, Petronius suggested that Roman crowds preferred combat by free men over that of slaves. For example, the character of Echion is excited about games in which free men, "not a slave in the batch," will fight. Though low on the social scale, free men often found popularity and patronage of wealthy Roman citizens by becoming gladiators. The emperor Augustus sought to preserve the pietas and virtus of the knight class and Roman senate by forbidding them to participate in gladiatorial combat. Later, Caligula and Nero would order both groups to participate in the games.

The Roman Gladiator: Who Were the Gladiators?

 

[Irish YJ]

I'd much rather watch track and field....

20-30 years ago I'd say I can understand and sympathize with impacted players now retired... now, with all the info out there, I just don't want to hear it. You accept the risks if you play. I love football, but I don't love it because people are getting the $#!+ beat out of them. I watch it for the competition just like I watch BB.

If anyone wants to talk about a sport or sports full of risk, there are many out there far worse than the NFL. What about boxing or MMA. Nobody has sympathy for those guys, and they shouldn't. Free will.

 

[Irish#1]

MMA is the worst. Boxing has really stepped in where the first sign that a boxer looks to be in trouble the ref steps in.

Soccer is fast becoming known for concussions.

Every football player who plays in college and in the pros does so voluntarily. Today they are very aware of the possible ailments they could have to deal with now and in the future.

I don't wish any harm on anyone, but they do know what may lie ahead.

 

[palinurus]

MMA is the worst. Boxing has really stepped in where the first sign that a boxer looks to be in trouble the ref steps in.

Soccer is fast becoming known for faked concussions.

Every football player who plays in college and in the pros does so voluntarily. Today they are very aware of the possible ailments they could have to deal with now and in the future.

I don't wish any harm on anyone, but they do know what may lie ahead.

FIFY