I have always hated football and I cannot understand why anybody

[Tumbulu]

likes it, supports it in any way, allows their children to play it etc.

What in the world is wonderful about watching people pummel each other in public?

I always heard that it was/is a sort of way to have a less deadly version of a war- a sport of war......but my goodness, the injuries, the outrageous behavior of the adults coaching, etc.

So, tell me, what in the world is so wonderful about such a violent sport that leaves it's players injured in so many ways for the rest of their lives. Can't we progress a little bit?

[NYC_SKP]

1. I'm with you, I don't get it, I think it's embarrassing, ugly.

It's a cultural thing that serious fans seem ready to fight to defend.

My experience of it in public school, both as a student and as a teacher, is that it's often a license to be agressive and a bully.

I wish schools would teach values and morals and history and humanity.

Not how to hit and fight and be so competitive at the expense of so many other more enlightened pursuits.

I guess we're in the minority, though.

:hug:

[flamingdem]

75. I always get in trouble for saying it's ugly

and today I learn someone I know suffers every day from football related injury and he has brain injury to manage as well.

I was sensitive, I know that they want to believe they'd do it all again.. what I think to myself is what a shame, it's got to be stopped, especially in high school.

[Brickbat]

2. I've always been annoyed by people who insist they hate and can't understand something and then

demand that other people who claim to like it come in and defend it.

[Mojambo]

14. +1. n/t

[valerief]

16. Well, good thing no one is asking someone to defend it here. Cuz I didn't

see the OP asking for that.

[Brickbat]

20. Perhaps the last line in the OP was rhetorical rather than truly curious.

Could be, could be.

[valerief]

22. That's how I read it. nt

[pennylane100]

46. I did not read any demands in the OP

Just a request for an understanding of why people are so passionate about it.

I used to be an avid football (I refuse to call it soccer) fan growing up. My team was Luton Town aka the Hatters which I am sure nobody has heard of. I followed them religiously until I came to this country and found baseball then I became an A's fan. Now I do not think I could sit through a game, but when I was following my teams it was really great. I miss the great emotional highs and even the sad moments of defeat. I would love to get that back again, but the interest has gone but I do understand the fun of being a sports fan.

[tkmorris]

109. Au contraire Pennylane

I know Luton Town quite well. I am a Crystal Palace fan myself, though it is quite hard to do so from the States. If it's not the Premiership it won't be on TV here ever (exception if your team makes a cup run) so we are relegated to trying to find a stream online for the rare game that might be televised elsewhere.

[pennylane100]

188. Well I certainly remember Crystal Palace, they were a very good team.

They were always firmly in the first division and I left before there was the premier league, although I remember some talk about it. Luton, at the time were in the 2nd division and on a collision course with last place. I know it is hard to watch anything but the top teams from over here. My son who was five when we left is an avid Liverpool fan and he knows more about football over there than I ever did so he keeps me informed of what is going onl

[defendandprotect]

145. We should be challenging violent sports -- especially boxing ... and we once did -- !!!

These violent concepts return with the rise of the RW -- and with so little

challenge from people who should know better, it begins to seem normal, evidently?


If anything should be challenged in our society, it's certainly the time devoted to sports -- !!

Occasionally, I watch BBC TV -- you'd think it was ESPN!

[valerief]

3. Agreed. I think most team sports are to develop an us against them mentality.

Makes it easy for the 1% to spoonfeed divide and conquer tactics to the 99%.

[JoePhilly]

51. Does Candyland count?

[valerief]

55. I don't know of any Little Candyland Leagues or College Candyland Teams

or Professional Candyland Teams or Candyland Bowls or billions of dollars swarming around Candyland each year or corporatespeak using Candyland references or teevee bobbleheads using Candyland references or bookies taking bets on Candyland games.

Candyland isn't one of those cradle to the grave sports, so no, you silly willy.
:hi:
Also, Candyland isn't a diversion from political participation the way professional sports is for most American fans.

(I didn't realize Candyland was a team sport.)

[JoePhilly]

122. Candyland is definitely a team sport ...

but not in the traditional sense ...

Same for Parcheesi ....

The "teams" are more fluid ... but there are teams ...

If ANY player starts to get ahead, the other players "team up" ... so that they can send the leading player BACKWARDS.

Now ... if another player jumps to the lead, the teams will reform ... but there are teams, none the less.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

60. Candyland is a tool of the sugar barons who keep our kids obese

.....and the patriarchy, of course.

[JoePhilly]

224. I heard Hersey's has an army of lobbyists!!

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

244. Ah, yes....follow the money and greed (n/m)

[GaYellowDawg]

87. What a load of horseshit.

Team sports are a great way to develop cooperative skills and work with other people towards a common goal.

[Withywindle]

166. True - but sports aren't the only way to do that

Just the way that gets the most money, attention, and social immunity in most American schools.

You want a situation where teamwork is CRUCIAL? Any type of musical group, of any size, from an orchestra to a marching band (which also includes marching formations, which also need to be precise) to a rock band. Weak links will stand out; anyone who doesn't practice drags the whole group down. But if everyone is on point together? Amazing.

The same is true, in different ways, of school publications like a yearbook or newspaper. A fuckup anywhere in the process, from copy-editing to fact-checking if it lands in a a random disastrous place, will reflect badly on the publication and everyone involved. It's important that everyone feel like part of a team and everyone be performing at their best.


You want kids to push themselves to do something difficult? How about mastering a foreign language well enough to do recitations and ad-libbed oratory at a statewide competition? (My Latin club did this, and we won points BY TEAM as well as by individual; you wanted to do well enough to work towards getting the group trophy as well as the individual ones.)

There are collaborative-project competitions in science, debate, art, agriculture (I was in 4-H too, yup), history, civics, you name it.

Ah, but there is a whole wider culture that devalues these things and writes them off as "nerd stuff", while good athletes are treated as minor godlings who can do no wrong--and in too many cases, protected from consequences when they do truly heinous wrongs. Intellectual pursuits are devalued, while a smarmy "wholesome, all-American, family-friendly" cult builds around sports. Sports are assumed to be somehow inherently good for building character, whereas spending the same number of hours on a hot field with your fellow horn players and flutists to get the positions just right, while learning to play a musical piece at the same time....doesn't build as much character? I don't get this reverence for sports over all other extracurricular activities. I really, really don't.

I don't hate sports. I just find them kind of boring to watch for the most part--and certainly morally neutral, not inherently virtuous.

I suspect sports have the rabid following and obscene amounts of profit that they do not for any reasons of "teamwork" and "building character"--but because they provide a catharsis for tribalism, for providing a space where it's OK to passionately hate people who are in every other respect exactly like you, except that they live 50 miles away and back a different school's team.

[valerief]

207. Yep, that's the Us vs. Them conditioning needed to support WAR. You know, where most of our tax

money goes.

[defendandprotect]

235. Agree -- and the corporatization of colleges, universities, education .....

was accompanied by the rise of the glory of football teams vs education --

We have to stop teaching our kids this crap!

Especially given the violence of football -- and the attempt to return to the

delusions and falsity of "macho" manhood built on these sports.

Over and again we see the corruption that $$$ brings to sports -- and the meaningless

of it all -- from Tiger Woods to the highschool football athlete.

[defendandprotect]

234. The violence of football "builds cooperative skills" .... ??? ROFL

ALL of our sports are about very aggressive competition -- which does NOT bring

people together -- it separates them to create ONE winner.

Where does any of that make sense?

We need to stop teaching our kids this crap -- !!

[defendandprotect]

147. + 1 --

[cherokeeprogressive]

4. You go ahead and progress. San Diego's about to score. n/t

[alittlelark]

5. +1

[Ohio Joe]

6. I used to love it

Watching games with my dad was always a great time. I played in high school and had a great time. I kept watching pro ball through into the late 80's but finally stopped because there were simply to many commercials.

[OhioChick]

15. Same here...

Except I never played. :)

My watching has weaned over the years, not due to commercials, but the game seems to have changed.

[swilton]

98. My father started taking me to college football games in the 50's

The half-time shows with the marching bands were my favorite part.

Television in the 90's with their commercials, instant replays, flash backs and inane comments by the sports casters have ruined it. The last game I watched was OU-LSU in the Orange Bowl....

I can't watch a game anymore - it's like watching encourages attention deficit....total absence of focus...

[devilgrrl]

7. I couldn't agree more - Ice Hockey is way more interesting.

Especially when you play it yourself.

[Abin Sur]

8. While I'm not a fan of *any* professional sport, football bores me less than all the others.

I always heard that it was/is a sort of way to have a less deadly version of a war- a sport of war

Which explains why it's less boring than baseball.

[hlthe2b]

9. When some here made Michael Vick a "hero".....

I turned my back on pro football. I still thought college football had some merit, but now, I really question even that--at least for the big league schools.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

10. Same thing with boxing. Barbaric and stupid.

There were people here on DU that were just shocked when I said I had NO sympathy for Hilary Swank as the female boxer in "Million dollar Baby".

I said she got what she deserved, brain damage and eventual death, because her profession was beating up and possibly killing other women who did the same thing.

[valerief]

26. I agree. Also, when someone told me there was a movie with Hillary Swank

playing a boxer and then she dies at the end, I accused the person telling me of pulling my leg. I said even Hollywood wouldn't make such a stupid, horrible movie. Well, I was wrong about that!

[pitohui]

34. gosh i thought "million dollar baby" was a movie, not a sport

i didn't see the movie, i mean it's a boxing MOVIE, but i will admit to watching some actual boxing matches which is something else entirely

life is a scrabble for the relatively few places at the top, and boxing is an honest physical scrabble instead of a scrabbled based on who's your daddy and how pretty your face is

why don't we just take away everything that gives a person not born to the elites a chance to improve themselves, eh? do i have to add a SARCASM tag?

boxing and football are opportunities for the strong instead of closing every single fucking door on the strong person for the crime of being born poor or lower middle class, sport at least gives them a chance to use their energy to create something

is every chance for someone not born rich to be taken away because it's rough and tumble and "tacky"?

[Manifestor_of_Light]

88. You have to sacrifice your body and injure and kill people.

Which is sad.

[defendandprotect]

150. There was a time when that was part of universal wisdom and we were discouraging it .....

came back with the rise of the RW --

Everything violent works for them --

Surprised Hilary Swank made a movie like that -- thought she had some brains and

common sense?

[defendandprotect]

152. D u p e

[fishwax]

11. I'm a fan

I enjoy it for a variety of reasons, including the displays of talent and physical ability, the excitement and rhythm of the game itself, the storylines that develop within a game and a season, and the sense of community, common interest, and common experience with other fans of a team and/or the sport, among other things. But, to each their own.

[taterguy]

12. Sounds like someone always got picked last for the team

:eyes:

[hlthe2b]

21. I have a friend who played Pro ball for Detroit Lions (back in the "day")

He is totally over it as well. I would have to laugh--seeing you run for the hills--if you made that smart-assed comment to HIM.

[Missy Vixen]

70. Oddly enough, we also know someone who played for the Lions

"back in the day". If I mentioned his name, you'd know who he is. He's currently working for his alma mater's athletic department.

I think he'd laugh in your face at your friend's insistence he's "over it".

[hlthe2b]

117. Given the number of players in my friend's cohort who are crippled...

and in constant pain at this relatively young juncture of their life-- I rather doubt that. With the exception of the most elite "stars," lower level pro players often pay an incredibly high cost for those few years and many live to regret it. My own friend suffered from seemingly minor traumatic brain injury from constant concussive injuries. As he has aged, those seemingly mild injuries have resulted in significant memory issues, chronic headaches and related issues. He's required multiple joint replacements that have left him in nearly constant pain. He was not the only one.

Even those whose careers were more productive (and less injurious)generally have a deep understanding and empathy for those who were not so lucky. I would very much bet your friend would fully understand why others, less fortunate than themselves, might feel differently about the experience and the sport in general.

[defendandprotect]

236. +1 --- and even "HOOPS" is an excellent study of what too frequently happens in sports re injuries .

Certainly need for surgery due to sports injuries is rising -- you can see that

in any of these professional sports/athletic practices -- or hear stories from parents.

[snooper2]

242. I have a friend who knows your friend

And they are both full of shit :rofl:

[hlthe2b]

245. Your immaturity is stunning...

Clueless, snooper2, merely clueless.

[Tumbulu]

84. When I was a kid a retired 49's linebacker worked at my

parent's office. He had been very famous as a player. He was in constant pain and we all felt so sorry for him as he really was a great guy. He drank heavily- no surprise- and used to tell all the kids- "stay away from football - they just use you up, spit you out- learn a profession or a skill". He died of a heart attack in his 50's.

[hlthe2b]

118. Exactly....

Sorry to say that for many, the "dream" fulfilled is NO dream at all and many live to regret it.

[defendandprotect]

238. Thank you -- and yet we continue to teach our kids this crap -- !!

[Serve The Servants]

123. Well at least you admit

that you're not above spectating violent activities for your own amusement.

[hlthe2b]

136. ...

that is some interesting grammar you are attempting to apply, there, STS. But, any suggestion of violence is bizarre and in your own mind.

[Serve The Servants]

159. There is nothing grammatically wrong with my comment,

and I must have misinterpreted your post to mean that you would enjoy watching your former football player friend angrily chase taterguy up some hills for suggesting your buddy was picked last for the team.

Mea culpa.

[Zoeisright]

172. Wow.

What a dumb thing to say. Way to not get the point.

[sibelian]

230. I was picked last every time.

Hence I can't be bothered with football.

Why the rolly eyes? Am I supposed to like parties I'm not invited to?

[Angry Dragon]

13. Christians against the lions ----------- gladiators

[Tunkamerica]

17. what? not a huge football fan but the profession of the abuser had little to do with the abuse

now, the coverup. That's different.

Your reasons for not liking it are: injuries, a pedophile participated in it, ...? I think a lot of things could be lumped in with football if those are your concerns. Mountain biking, speed walking, sitting at a computer, frolf.

[Mojambo]

33. Yes, but this is obviously a perfect time to axe grind.

Can't expect people to pass that up.

[bigmonkey]

36. I think it's a more serious observation than that.

The reason all this Penn State stuff was hushed up is that there is so much money and power located in college and, subsequently, professional football. I doubt that an Ultimate Frisbee coach would have gotten away with so much. So, the OP is suggesting, at least to me, that power and money are misplaced in their association with college and professional football. The suggestion is that there is not only nothing particularly wonderful about football, but it's actually harmful, so why tolerate the buildup of such a realm of activity that is "too big for the law"?

[Tunkamerica]

39. I suggested that more than the OP. The OP just doesn't like football

and now there's a great reason to state his/her opinion.

[defendandprotect]

154. How could you miss that the OP's objection is to the VIOLENCE of football ... ????

:eyes:

[Mojambo]

165. And the VIOLENCE of the football has nothing to do with the Penn State story

Which presumably is what sparked this round of axe grinding on the OP's part.

[defendandprotect]

229. OP doesn't mention "Penn State" -- objections to violence of football stand on their own ..!!

If you want to EXPAND the conversation into sports/child abuse -- wouldn't

be too difficult to do that. But the OP is bringing the VIOLENCE of football

to our attention to be examined.

[Tunkamerica]

210. I thought it was to the injuries and to the pedophilia

because that's what they said.

[defendandprotect]

231. Requoting the OP for you .... doesn't mention "Pedophilia" -- !!

I have always hated football and I cannot understand why anybody
likes it, supports it in any way, allows their children to play it etc.

What in the world is wonderful about watching people pummel each other in public?

I always heard that it was/is a sort of way to have a less deadly version of a war- a sport of war......but my goodness, the injuries, the outrageous behavior of the adults coaching, etc.

So, tell me, what in the world is so wonderful about such a violent sport that leaves it's players injured in so many ways for the rest of their lives. Can't we progress a little bit?



Our kids don't need more examples of violence in our society --

[Mojambo]

40. It is absolutely about power and money, and the insular character of Penn State in particular

Tying it to sports more generally is a big reach.

This thread in particular seems to be grinding a preexisting axe against football.

[Tunkamerica]

211. Actually, despite disagreeing before... I have to disagree again:

it's a pandemic across big football (and basketball) schools that tie their reputations to the success of their athletic teams.

[defendandprotect]

232. We're all just picking on football? Are you saying it's NOT a violent sport?

Why would we be teaching our kids crap like this?

[Tumbulu]

74. Thank you- you did a much better job of articulating the issue

[bigmonkey]

90. Thanks, I'm glad I didn't misrepresent your intention.

That's what your OP said to me.

[defendandprotect]

155. True -- we all really need here in US to embrace more VIOLENCE in sports -- ROFL

[SomethingFishy]

37. I'm not a fan but have to agree with you...

I try not to let my apathy towards football get in the way of remembering that this guy is not a football coach.. he's a pedophile.

[virgogal]

18. + 1 and then some.

[ScreamingMeemie]

19. Go, Pack, GO!

I'm not asking you to like. I really don't care. :hi:

[Missy Vixen]

44. I'm a Seahawks fan who LOVES Clay Matthews III

Anytime they're not playing us - Go Pack, GO!

:woohoo:

[ScreamingMeemie]

110. My brother dressed his son up as Clay this year for Halloween.

Complete with Lombardi trophy. He went as McCarthy. Of course, that's because he's immature and should probably have his son taken from him. :D

[blueamy66]

263. I live with a Pack fan from Kenosha..

He's crazy!!!!!

[MrSlayer]

23. If you don't get it, you don't get it.

I love violent sports. Hockey, Football, MMA, Boxing. They're fun to play and to watch. The competition, the heart, the willingness to give everything you have to succeed, it's really dramatic at times. There are plenty of non-violent sports out there. Baseball, golf, tennis, synchronized swimming etc. I don't believe that enjoying hard hitting sports is in any way regressive. It's a positive outlet.

[MH1]

24. "watching people pummel each other in public" - you're thinking of boxing, not football

I'm not a huge fan, and I didn't even understand the basics of the game until I was in my 20's. But even I know that it's not about pummeling.

Maybe before you think about understanding why anybody likes it, you should have someone who likes it, understands it, and is a good explainer, explain what it IS actually about.

That said, on a highly theoretical, utopian level, I can see that there are much better things people can do with their time. (And I don't mean watching baseball either, even if I do have my team's logo as my avatar. :) )

[defendandprotect]

157. You're denying the VIOLENCE of football -- ???? ROFL

[pitohui]

25. football is great, but yes, the players are in for a lifetime of pain

the sport itself is beautiful and an intelligent coach playing an intelligent team is a work of art

but the cost is in blood and pain, and just everyone who attends ballet understands (or should understand) that the dancer will have a lifetime of pain to create the show you're enjoying, so to the case with football

one thing about football at least the artist who suffers a lifetime of pain will be well compensated for it...would all sports and all art treat its sacrifices so well..will admit i only watch pro football (nfl) not college, i would not enjoy seeing a college student injured, well, i don't ENJOY seeing anyone injured, it's really scary, but at least the pros know full well what they're doing and at least they're getting millions to take care of themselves and their families for the job -- and the whole point of sport is to test your limits and see if you earn the prize/become for a moment as the gods

i'm not really aware of any sport that doesn't have a genuine risk of injury/pain, what sport do you suggest that doesn't involve pain?

every jogger i know is in pain from their late 40s onward and that's as non contact a sport as they come, they make zip, spend a lot of money chasing their marathons, and end up replacing their knees on their own dime

why don't you suggest a sport that doesn't involve risk and pain?

[raccoon]

221. Chess? nt

[larkrake]

27. It use to be a sport, now its a business with players doped to the gills

for the sake of gamblers winning their bets. Money corrupts all sports, businesses and beauty pageants

[Missy Vixen]

41. NFL has been routinely and randomly drug testing for many years now

Any player suspected of juicing (see Cushing, Brian,) pays dearly for it.

You'll have to find another reason to demonize the NFL and its players.

[Odin2005]

28. It's the American equivalent of gladiator fights in Rome.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

29. There's nothing wrong with liking and/or participating in violent sports.

There really is nothing quite like delivering a devasting hit to some guy out on the field.
It's not only about conquoring your opponent physically... you strive to conquor their will to continue.

It is certanily not a "gentleman's sport".

[in_cog_ni_to]

30. I hate it too and I blame that on my dad and 3 brothers who LIVED for the sport

and that totally sucked when we had only one TeeVee in the house (back in the 60s-70s). No one could watch anything else if there was a football game on and that was all the damn time. To this day I hate even hearing it in the background when my husband is watching a game. I'll watch an occasional Bears game, but that's IT. I detest the sport. REALLY detest the sport.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

56. But you'll watch that occasional Bears game....

....don't worry, they'll win another SB.....one of these years.

[in_cog_ni_to]

65. That's doubtful.

They suck.

[Swede]

31. What do you enjoy? I have friends that think 1 second on the internet is a waste.

I guarantee you others won't enjoy the same things you do.

[GoCubsGo]

32. I hear you.

I was told the other day that I am "un-American" for hating football. I just pointed out that I prefer the real "American" sport, baseball. That sort of attitude makes me hate it even more. It's bad enough they have to show it on every bloody channel all weekend, but to have it fans disparage a person's patriotism over a stupid sport chafes my ass to no end.

I don't get the attraction to football, either. My brother played it in high school. He came to his senses during his sophomore year. He came home from practice every day just covered in bruises. He decided it wasn't worth it to continue, and I don't blame him one bit.

[RKP5637]

35. I think some people are wired for it, some are not. It's aggression + strategy +

win/lose and heroes IMO. I'm not a football fan, but some are, I can see their interest.

[defendandprotect]

239. And you see no problem in teaching our kids "aggression" ... ????

[RKP5637]

243. I think it's probably a release of aggression for some. I think some people are

more wired for aggression. True, in some cases it's conditioned, but in others IMO it's innate.

I think what bothers me is the hero worshiping. I'll just use HS for example. In my HS many of us went on to do some pretty significant achievements in life, but if you look at our website, they only idolize those that ended up in professional athletics. The same could be said of some universities. That was just one brief example.

IMO more sensitivity and diversity need to be taught starting at an early age.

[defendandprotect]

248. Why do males have so much aggression to release ....

and why do we continue as a society to ignore male violence which is a major

problem?

How do females rid themselves of their aggression -- ironing?

Females aren't trained to be agggressive --

Maleness is a totally social construct -- !!

For elites -- education is a concern, a threat to them -- they need people for

their imperial wars of aggression -- not scholars who may figure out what they're up to!


And thus has always been our system of education -- a training ground for corporate robots.

[RKP5637]

251. Well said!!! Especially relative to their need for robots. IMO much of

America has been bred to be robots today, adherence to the system, do not question, and you have the right to protest, but if you do you will be disciplined and bashed.

I was looking at the material on Dugway Proving Ground, wondering just how far is the aggressive MIC stuff going to go. War and aggression for profit, American Imperialism and manifest destiny.

As I moved up in the corporate structure, I used to often wonder, what are you guys so aggressive for ... for many they were playing a game of football. And the execs. were using war analogies. It gets a little pathetic.

America would be so much for the better if we focused more on cooperation and shed the tough independent macho guy/gal images.

[defendandprotect]

252. Interesting that you mention ....

Dugway ---

are you watching UFO Hunters?

If you want to find out how far the MIC will go you have to catch up with the old

PNAC stuff -- and can't imagine how far they may have gone now!


Miliarization of the skies was seemingly the real reason behind the NASA projects.

And a strong goal of PNAC!

[RKP5637]

255. Yes, I watched the one UFO Hunters did on Dugway. Was quite interesting! n/t

[RKP5637]

256. There have been studies that indicate some males might have too much testosterone. n/t

[Name removed]

38. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Missy Vixen]

42. I can't understand why anyone would waste one minute of their lives

telling the rest of us why they hate something that's easy enough to switch off or ignore six months a year.

:eyes:

[alittlelark]

49. Just guessing, I'm not the OP

Likely because HS's spend huge $$$$ on football and ignore class size issues etc.

Likely because colleges devote HUGE resources to their teams - to the detriment of Bio, Physics, Psycholgy, Sociology etc.

Likely because Professional players tend to be Overpaid narcissists, and their managers and owners even more so.

Likely because the fan devotion to the sport takes up soooo much of ones time and energy that they cannot be bothered w/ other issues.

It's like Nascar w/o the metal.


It takes from us the time and energy that could have prevented the OWS movement from being needed.

Underline COULD.



It is a colossal waste of time, $$ and resources.


Just my 2 cents - I'm not the OP

[Mojambo]

53. At most Universities the Football program is what makes the money that supports other stuff. n/t

[alittlelark]

54. Like the $1,000,000 + salaries made by many coaches?

Like the $$$$$$$$$$ spent on new arenas, advertising and upkeep/scouting?

[Mojambo]

57. And yet still, they bring in more money.

Football is NOT a drain on the resources of a university, no matter how much it irks you, they are supporting the university financially.

Nobody's paying money to watch the sociology department. Money from the massive TV contracts, merchandising, ticket sales... all of that goes to support the other areas of the University.

You make it sound like if they eliminated football that all the other areas of the university would get more financial support, which is nonsense. Football subsidizes those other areas. Without the money it brings in those other departments suffer, they don't benefit.

It's not complicated.

[alittlelark]

64. I have heard that argument many times.

Stop. Think. What is the purpose of a University?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.




I'm assuming you did not think 'to support their football team' first. (I hope so).

Can you not understand the inherent AMERICAN dilemma here?


"Universities need football to support Universities"
"Football needs to be supported by University funds to thrive"

WHY NOT US TAX DOLLARS? It's a great investment!

They are like the 'Cheerios' (Glee).

Their value is only what YOU give to them.

[Mojambo]

68. I'm fine with that. I'm just challenging your wrong assertion that they are a drain on resources

Under the current dynamic, it is totally the opposite.

[alittlelark]

76. OCCUPY THE NCAA!!!! They are oppressing the other 99%

of the students at their universities. Who gets the attn? Not the Sociology grad student studying 'group think'... Not the Bio student doing a dissertation on 'neck injuries'.........

Think differently.

[Mojambo]

77. Acknowledge REALITY!1! n/t

[alittlelark]

99. I'll pass your message on to the Occupy SF group this weekend.

I can get there early because of Veterans Day. I have yet to meet any football fans - I'm sure they exist, I just have not met them.

Veterans Day - War - Organized warfare - Football.

Funny that...


The OWS movement does NOT acknowledge the ADVERTISED REALITY thrown at us.

[Mojambo]

101. Careful going down there. You might hurt yourself, and we'd have to get rid of walking.

Also, key difference between you and them? They're not just making up facts to support their position.

[alittlelark]

104. You make no sense - please explain.

Who is 'they', and why would anyone get rid of walking?


Perhaps it is bedtime?

I have also been guilty of PUI (posting under the influence).

:beer:

[Mojambo]

107. "They" are Occupy SF.

And why would people want to get rid of football simply because there are injuries?

So clever of you to insinuate that I'm not sober. You are very good.

I only drink on Sundays when I'm watching football AND RUINING AMERICA!1!

[pauldg0]

121. You make no sense....

[alittlelark]

158. You live in Michigan and are into Genaelogy....

My Great Great Uncle Cass Gilbert built many buildings in your state http://www.cassgilbertsociety.org/works/detroit-public-library/

I am actually part of the 1%.


I see this sports porn as destroying any sense of community we could have as a country. In Spain 1 1/2 years ago we were there for the semi-finals win. It was as exhilarating an experience I have ever had within a group.

The difference - the WHOLE country was rooting for their team..... and it is (fanatically) only 1 sport.


We have 3-4 and they are divided by region and ppl bash each others heads in over them. They spend #####hours obsessing and watching.

It is sports porn.

I know how strongly the need has been ingrained in you.


Take the red pill.

[Name removed]

102. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Tunkamerica]

212. Don't most schools run at a deficit when judged by their football programs?

[Missy Vixen]

69. The football program at universities supports all other sports

Including women's sports.

You might want to consider that last statement.

In a country that bemoans the fact kids are less active than ever, sports are not necessarily a bad thing, are they?

:eyes:

[alittlelark]

72. Sports are GREAT. The ones that don't cause great bodily harm

are the BEST. Lacrosse, Swimming, Tennis, Soccer, Baseball.......

The 'including Women's sports' is a red herring / strawman..

[Mojambo]

79. I don't know... tennis elbow is pretty nasty. We'd better protect people from it. n/t

[alittlelark]

92. Get over yourself.... come up w/ a real reply or go think for a while.

[Mojambo]

97. You can get hurt playing any sport.

It's no one's business but the person playing to determine how much physical risk/punishment is too much.

So, maybe you should just get over yourself.

[alittlelark]

140. I can also get drunk drinking any drink

But there is a difference between a beer and a Long Island Iced Tea.


Just Sayin'.

[Mojambo]

142. We're so lucky to have nannies like you protecting us. n/t

[alittlelark]

146. I grew up in NM - I was taught to avoid rattlesnakes

To make sure I was hydrated both summer and winter. To Always keep a windbreaker in my backback. To always have $10 or so when out on a date (cab/phone$). To not tease the kids from Barrellastown. To not talk to the strange man on the bus...........



I'm not your nanny - but sometimes a good dose of common sense is necessary.

[Name removed]

91. Deleted message

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[alittlelark]

108. They are in the 'Trent Lott' building!!!

http://www.ncs4.com/grants

WOW.... look at the Homeland Security and Defense Contractors supporting them!

Funny..... or not.


PS Football by their ranking is #2, yet (not alphabetically or injury rate) is buried w/ other sports.

Funny That.

[alittlelark]

133. Odd that no one has responded to the fact that the NCS is a

Homeland security funded entity.... hello - anyone out there to defend this?

[Mojambo]

134. If you can show how it's relevant to the present argument perhaps someone will respond. n/t

[alittlelark]

137. You know how it is relevant. skewed stats etc....

What party do most of these coaches, owners, and players affiliate with?

OMG! No One Would Have Thought To Create A Fake 'Support" Organization Spreading Propaganda!!!!


That Doesn't happen here does it?

[Name removed]

196. Deleted message

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[sylveste]

125. i suffered greater injuries playing

baseball than i did playing football. i've played alot both in my life and enjoyed evey minute of it.

[alittlelark]

138. Sad about your injuries... but they are not typical overall.

[sylveste]

246. don't be sad

i healed up just fine, probably even made me a bit tougher in the end.

[Missy Vixen]

185. Maybe you could give the guy pictured in my avatar a call

He's a former NFL player that attended University of Virginia on a lacrosse scholarship. I'm sure he'd tell you that he managed to get injured playing lacrosse. It was one of the reasons why he decided to play football again.

Football programs pay for women's sports at universities around the country. Don't believe me? Feel free to Google search, if that isn't too much trouble for you...

[Marrah_G]

201. Lacrosse is not a passive sport.....

Especially on the college level.

[Name removed]

85. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

80. Deleted message

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[alittlelark]

161. Cite me some REAL stats on that.

[Name removed]

195. Deleted message

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[Tunkamerica]

214. quote some figures overall about the "profitabilty" of football

[Tumbulu]

71. Excellent guess- you are more articulate then me

thanks.

[alittlelark]

86. You are brave to bring up the issue

I did it on this forum 7 or so years ago and was DESTROYED. I was shocked to read many of the responses.

I have not tried since.

Thanks for the OP!:toast:

[ScreamingMeemie]

113. Actually he/she is mostly stupid to paint with such a broad brush...

:toast:

That said Go Pack, GO!

[alittlelark]

124. GO OWS GO!

Hopefully w/ the same enthusiasm.

[ScreamingMeemie]

126. We can juggle both, no??? It's funny how many Texans fans

I met down at OccupyHouston...Check it out! Football fans are everywhere, and they somehow manage to do many truly awesome things. Sometimes more awesome even than the people who bitch about them. I encourage you to go to your own Occupation, whether you are a football fan or not.


Right now the Pack is 8-0 and it's a thing of beauty! That and the fact that my son's favorite Lions are having a season. Boy, oh boy! It's been a great season! :D

[Name removed]

83. Deleted message

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[alittlelark]

128. Yeah.... try convincing the teachers in TX and other FOOTBALL districts.

Good luck w/that.

[ScreamingMeemie]

130. I don't know, self righteous one who doesn't live here (I don't think)

Three of the starters on my son's team were benched under the "no pass, no play" rule... The teachers in my son's district, including the Coaches are pretty adamant about that.

[alittlelark]

143. OK, I just looked at your blog - I get it.

You are in the matrix.

In many ways I wish I could join you.....

I'm stuck in reality.

[ScreamingMeemie]

144. Yeah...right. If you really "looked" at my blog, you would know

my reality. I encourage you to spend some time in my all too real, reality. :eyes:


And, man, that Raiders/Chargers game was something tonight, and I can't really stand either of those teams. :toast:

[alittlelark]

151. I only read the top entry I will admit

It was all about football..........

Let's just have a toast to the 99%ers of OWS!:toast:

[ScreamingMeemie]

156. I encourage you to page back a few years, if you still question my

reality. It's a real corker.



:toast: for OWS and OccupyHouston, and OccupyWhateverAreaYouAreIn

:toast: for little boys who somehow manage despite amazing shitty things happening in their lives. I'm talking about my son, the football player, whose reality isn't something I would wish on anyone... and who is the farthest from "living in a Matrix" than anyone I know. :(

[alittlelark]

163. I got to your obsession w/ Twilight... I am sure there is more.

Your writing style is easy to read.

We have different realities is all.

I hate violence and see football as such.

It is what it is.:hug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

164. My beloved husband, the father of our wonderful kids died unexpectedly

on August 26, 2007, at the age of 37...when his kids were 17 and 9. He was a HUGE Democrat (more active than I at the time everything happened and also a diehard Lions fan who hoped, each year, that his team would do something. We do what we do to get through. He was our life. It truly amazes me that we haven't fallen apart just yet. Take care of yourself. :hug:

[alittlelark]

169. I am so sorry - I didn't get that far..

I don't know what to say.

I really don't.

Getting though it is all that matters - whatever works, works.

WOW - I am rarely at a loss for words - but I am right now.

Best to you and the kidlets.:grouphug:

[alittlelark]

160. You must be in a sane district then.....can you say the same

for others in your state? They also have kids to educate.


The problem is systemic, and your state is likely #1 in the system.

[ScreamingMeemie]

162. It used to be...Due to debacles like Odessa Permian, the programs

are run pretty tightly these days. Was there a problem? You bet. Have strides been made? I will say this, the coaches in my son's program are far stricter (I've got a progress report with a big black warning X on it when my son's grade slipped to 75 in math to prove it) than they were up North when my brothers were playing (and one was passing when he shouldn't have been.

[alittlelark]

168. Take a deep breath and look at the priorities at your school

.
.
.
.

Are they what you want them to be.





I did that 10 years ago. They were not. I got together w/ other parents to form Bullis Charter School.

They shut down all schools in our town - we had no choice.

We beat them w/in 2 years on all testing levels
http://www.bullischarterschool.com/bullischarterschool/site/default.asp


Just be sure to be INVOLVED and don't let yourself get Bullied. As a DUer parent I'm sure you already are - but make your voice is heard.


PS - I generally hate charter schools but we had no choice. Google the history.


:hug:

[Name removed]

190. Deleted message

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[sibelian]

233. Well it's nice to hear sometimes.

It certainly improved MY mood. I think football's a colossal waste of time energy and money and has a tendency to fill people with crappy ideas. It's nice to think that there are others in the universe who think it's a pile of shit.

[quinnox]

43. I'm ashamed I used to be a football fan

Yea, I even used to bet on the silly games believe it or not. It is fine when you are young and dumb to enjoy it, but by the time you are in your mid 20s, I think you should outgrow it by that time.

It's a dumb sport and a great opium for all the masses out there to not pay attention to important things going on in the world.

I consider watching football to be about on the same level as watching the Kardashians.

[Missy Vixen]

45. Thanks for the compliments

>It's a dumb sport and a great opium for all the masses out there to not pay attention to important things going on in the world.<

Oh, I see: Those of us who enjoy the game on Sunday can't think of anything else for the rest of the week, or the six months a year there's no football on.

>I consider watching football to be about on the same level as watching the Kardashians.<

How unfortunate.

:eyes:

[Name removed]

100. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ScreamingMeemie]

106. He/she enjoys being a stuffed shit...I mean shirt

Go Pack Go! :hi:

[Mojambo]

48. You're very sophisticated. n/t

[MadBadger]

225. Watching the Kardashians is much like having a conversation with you

Jesus Christ you are condescending

[NeedleCast]

241. What Entertainment Do You Approve of, Oh Arbiter of Approved Entertainment?

[Harmony Blue]

47. I like football because

It is not as violent as hockey and the pacing isn't as fast as hockey or basketball. But it isn't as slow as Baseball either. The season of football is short and concise unlike other sports. Furthermore, unlike other sports, a team effort literally is a team effort where one player has a hard time carrying the team. Hockey is the next closest sport in that context.

Football is not just about physical strength, but mental strength as well. Memorization, diagnosis, and on the fly ingenuity. Football also creates situations where a few inches makes a difference. A sport closest to that is baseball but football takes it to another level because you have four downs, not three outs to work with.

The shape of a football creates interesting situations where you don't know how it well bounce unlike a spherical ball in basketball or baseball, and the closest to that is from hockey with the puck.

Football requires balance, resistance training, weight training, etc. Baseball, hockey, or basketball players never really did all that but that started to change as football pioneered cross training.

Sports medicine has progressed because of football, and we know more about head trauma, and the effects of blows on the human body. Improvement for people to recover from injuries. If Bo Jackson was injured today he would be playing football in 10 months time again, that is how much medicine has improved.

Most importantly I like football because it is fun to watch chaos trying to be formed harmoniously as possible. Football is organized chaos.

[JoePhilly]

50. I hate gymnastics for similar reasons.

Pre-teen girls bending themselves into pretzels, breaking their bones so a coach can get a better job at a better school. Walking funny for the rest of their lives.

Cheerleaders, falling from too high.

Tennis players popping knees.

Runners pushing too hard and damaging their shins and feet.

Its crazy.

[hughee99]

63. Lets not forget ballet dancers with all sorts of knee, ankle and foot problems,

not to mention the eating disorders. A barbaric display, ballet is. I can't understand how anyone could watch it.

[JoePhilly]

119. Agree.b

[Manifestor_of_Light]

259. Ballet baffles me totally.

I have been a classical musician all my life.

Love the symphony.

Love the opera (except for Richard Strauss and that "death by arpeggio" guy).

I have played many ballet suites in orchestra. The Firebird, The Rite of Spring, Les Sylphides, All the Tchaikovsky stuff like The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, etc. The Miraculous Mandarin.

But the dancing itself baffles me. I find it quite unnatural.

[alittlelark]

175. I'm getting close to 50 - my gymnastics days are catching up

I have to stretch my lower back before getting out of bed. My knees are still OK as well as my hips. The lower back is what takes the beating in gymnastics.

It is a beautiful sport - but DAMN....

[flvegan]

52. So you probably REALLY hate rugby then.

[Logical]

58. Proud to unrec this dumb and shallow thought through post!!!

[Serve The Servants]

135. Oh, hey thanks for reminding me.

Unrec for smugness.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

59. Concern noted

I have always hated anchovies.

[Mojambo]

62. I don't know why parents let their kids have anchovies. n/t

[coalition_unwilling]

61. A close friend of mine died while practicing high school football when I was a

sophomore in high school. Leon was a beautiful kid, extremely bright and very popular. I've never forgiven the game for that fatality and I never will.

[pipi_k]

111. And I will never forgive

my ex husband's wife for killing him.

He died in 2002 at the age of 52, leaving my two kids without a dad. It happened right after they had sex (I know because she told everyone how it happened). She got up to use the bathroom, heard some strange noise from the bedroom, and thought he was joking. Within 60 seconds he was dead from heart failure.


Not to trivialize the death of your friend, but it's possible he could have had something very wrong with his heart or something. He could just as easily have died while running for the bus, or horsing around with friends.

Or years later, like my ex husband, during an ordinary marital sexual encounter.

You just never know.

[EFerrari]

116. A friend of mine lost a kidney. I think he was 15.

The first game I went to in high school, we heard some parents behind us scream "Step on their faces" and that was pretty much it for me. I love team sports but not this one.

[LanternWaste]

215. I don't hold either marching bands or music responsible for his death...

A fellow student and fellow marching band member died on the practice field my junior as we were perfecting our show early one August morning as my senior year was just beginning.

I don't hold either marching bands or music responsible for his death... :shrug:

[coalition_unwilling]

219. It just so happens that Leon was engaged in running drills that

involved slamming one's head and\or shoulders into some sort of sled when he collapsed on the field. So excuse me if I suspect that running his head at high speed into a semi-stationary object might have contributed to his death. That combined with some incredibly inept coaching staff. (This was in rural Bible-belt Missouri.)

Did they determine a cause of death for your fellow student? What was the temperature on the field at the time?

[LanternWaste]

223. He suffered fatal setbacks from acute-onset heatstroke.

He suffered fatal setbacks from acute-onset heatstroke.

Mornings during an August TX can easily get into the mid to high nineties, though we always took the requisite water and rest breaks. I'm still not going to blame marching band for his death. :shrug:

[coalition_unwilling]

227. I suspected as much and remember well what August temps

in Missouri were like. I too played in high-school band (low brass) and remember well marching band practices and parades in the sweltering summer heat.

If you don't blame marching band, I guess maybe I wonder whether you question your band director for having you practicing during the heat of August. I think I would be, especially if it were a close friend who died.

I get your point, though, and who's to say that my friend Leon would not have died anyway? But, as I say, his death during football practice soured me on the game.

[Throd]

66. Will you come to my Daytona 500 party?

[Zanzoobar]

67. It's volunteer.

They like it. What you think about it doesn't matter to anyone other than the advertisers, and you're not the target market.

[yawnmaster]

73. It is quite often seen in humans, that we hate what we don't understand...

American football is much more than pummeling.
In fact much of the "pummel" is similar to an arm wrestle, a head to head strength contest.
There is strategy, strength, skill, finesse, and speed to name a few of the things to watch.
It's a physical competition.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

78. You're entitled to your opinion

I'm sure there are things you like that I don't understand. That's the beauty of things. One size does not fit all.

[TheKentuckian]

81. Touchdown Raiders!!! Motherfucker!

[Mojambo]

93. LOL. n/t

[ScreamingMeemie]

114. Wooooot! Love how this thread is turning around with football awesomeness.

:toast:

[frylock]

178. motherfucker

[GaYellowDawg]

82. Why should anyone have to justify it to you?

If you don't like it, then don't like it. Those of us who do will enjoy it.

It's a fantastic game to either play or watch. If you actually understood the diverse strategies of the game, you might come to enjoy it, too, but it sounds like you've got a completely closed mind about it.

[calimary]

89. You and me both, Tumbulu.

It's organized brutality in which thuggish behavior has been raised to both a science and a high art. I simply cannot relate. And yeah I've heard ALL of the arguments. All of them, on all levels and in all categories. I just don't see the appeal. And the way it's elevated almost to a sacrament, with the corresponding heaps of money. Ahh... money. It comes down to that again, doesn't it?

I am SO grateful that my kid didn't have the "sports gene" (his "music gene," on the other hand, is as tall as the Sears Tower). None of us has it, including my husband and our daughter. All we ever managed was karate, and we all made it to black belt. But Heavens, I HATED the sparring part!

I'm roaring a little loudly about this, perhaps even a little too loudly, in other threads but MAN it just burns me up! As the mother of a son! And nobody did anything because of who these people were and how prominent and valuable they were considered to be! That sandusky creep should have been sent to prison!

This just seriously burns me up!!!

[Dawson Leery]

181. You must be proud of your son. Playing instruments well is a true talent.

:kick:

[sylveste]

247. so is playing football

well.

[Dawson Leery]

253. -1

[backscatter712]

94. To paraphrase Bill Hicks: Go back to bed, America!

Your government has figured out how it all transpired.

Go back to bed, America. Your government is in control again.

Here. Here's college football!

Watch this, shut up. Go back to bed, America.

Here is NFL. Here is 56 channels of it!

Watch these pituitary retards bang their fucking skulls together and congratulate you on living in the land of freedom.

Here you go, America!

You are free to do what we tell you!

You are free to do what we tell you!”

[H2O Man]

95. I've always considered

football to be a violent sport. I was a fairly talented quartback as a youth, but didn't play on the high school team. Too violent.

I did box, however; some people consider boxing violent.

[DavidDvorkin]

96. Same here.

[pipi_k]

103. Well, to each his (or her) own, I guess...

I like football.

I also like ballet. Just so nobody thinks I'm a total brute...


Anyway...I've never understood why people climb mountains (because it's there? Yeah...whatever).

Go surfing.

Ski like maniacs down snow-topped mountains, breaking legs and arms and heads, and sometimes even wrapping themselves around a tree (see Sonny Bono).

Sky dive.

Use their motorcycles to jump over a line of 20 junk cars set on fire.


And other things.

Especially puzzling to me are the friends and family members of people who die while doing something dangerous. They sit around consoling themselves and each other with platitudes like, "Oh, at least he died doing something he really LOVED".

WTF?????

OK...sure. The selfish bastard did what he loved and died, and left a wife and kids and a whole lot of hurting people behind.

Nice.

So why do people do stupid things?

Because they want to, and because they can.

:shrug:

[aikoaiko]

105. It's easy to hate football and all that goes along with it, but there is a sweet science to it.

There is a beauty and elegance amid the brute force.

[pipi_k]

112. Exactly...what can be more elegant...

sports-wise...than a perfectly thrown football?

Quarterbacking is almost an art form...



PS...and so much for the pre-game predictions by a couple of sports commentators where they said Phillip Rivers would have an outstanding game. Carson Palmer is whipping the shit out of the Chargers....

[Mojambo]

115. To be fair, Rivers hasn't played poorly and the Chargers are rallying

Palmer just threw a pick.

[ScreamingMeemie]

129. And Rivers did what Rivers does...throws an INT into the end zone.

I don't have a dog in this fight,but it's football...and I love football!

[cherokeeprogressive]

148. I hate the damn Raiders. n/t

[ScreamingMeemie]

149. Me too, pretty much, but I'm kind of equally derisive of the Chargers.

[pipi_k]

192. Must have happened after I went to bed...I don't even know yet who won n/t

[frylock]

180. rivers sucks, but whoever decided to schedule the chargers to play 3 games in 11 days can FOAD

[pipi_k]

194. I know...I thought it was kind of weird

when I heard the Chargers were playing last night because I had just seen them play a few days ago.

Really not fair to make a team play with so little time in between games.

[pauldg0]

120. I LOVE FOOTBALL......

it builds character!!!!!

[On the Road]

127. What Does Football Have to Do With Pedophelia?

If football did not exist, do you think Sandusky would have lived an upright life, or have been a pedophile in some other profession?

[Mojambo]

132. Thank you.

Perfectly stated.

[freshwest]

131. Rite of passage thing, maybe. Memories of days gone by. Lots of gambling. Circus value.

[Arugula Latte]

139. I agree with you that it sucks, but I know millions disagree.

Anyway, I won't convince them and they won't convince me. Here is something heartening: I've heard more and more parents are refusing to let their kids play football (I know that we're among them). Paralysis and brain injuries and blown out knees aren't worth it. Maybe in a few decades it will die down to a minor sport. One can dream, can't one? ;)

[defendandprotect]

141. Agree -- especially for elementary school children-- !! Nutz-!!

Imagine if we devoted the time to real info instead of this stupidity --

Problem with trying tell anyone about Global Warming is there's no ball involved -- !! :rofl:

Nutty ideas about competition and rough/violent sports is the only way to keep moving to

creating a more violent society. Recreating the RW "macho" male -- !!

We're also not supposed to notice the ass-patting bonding which takes place in male sports - :rofl:

Also very much encourages males thru sports to live a more homo-social and separated existence

from females.

Even funnier when females decide to join them in watching baseball, footbal land porn!


YIKES!



PS -- We long ago were moving away from this kind of stupidity -- including having moved

to very negative views on "boxing" as sport!! :eyes:

That all changed with the rise of the RW ---

[saras]

153. It's really good practice in getting people to be violent towards a completely artificial, symbolic

That's why you find war games pretty much everywhere you find empire.

[Withywindle]

182. That's my biggest problem with the whole sports cult

Let's hate these people who are exactly like us! Why? Because they live 100 miles away and back a different team!


Maybe it's because I come from a town too small to have any pro teams, and never was interested in watching sports at all in high school, but I find this whole violent-rivalry aspect really kind of bizarre and incomprehensible. THere's no logic to it, it's all random corporate tribalism. I live in Chicago now, and if I wanted to watch football, I guess I'd probably back the Green Bay Packers, because they're the ONLY community-owned team in the NFL, and I believe in that....oh, but I can't, cause there's some kind of blood feud.....


And of course Chicago has two baseball teams, so why can't I enjoy watching them both? OH NO, there's a FEUD, you have to CHOOSE....


:shrug:


Random, meaningless tribalism.

[Dawson Leery]

167. +1

[shanti]

170. i agree

can't stand football :( geez, look at all the unrecs!

[Zoeisright]

171. I used to like it until OJ Simpson.

Then I started looking at football players differently. Football fanatics will excuse ANY behavior, from spousal abuse to rape and including murder, if one of their "heroes" is accused. And now I think that ALL professional sports are stupid complete wastes of time and money. And that includes college sports, which are really professional sports, no matter what the NAA rules are.

[Withywindle]

173. I just find it boring as hell

and frustrating to watch, because as soon as it looks like something interesting is starting to happen...WHISTLE! TIME OUT! REPLAY! Too much stop-and-start. It's like all-coitus-interruptus-all-the-time. And yeah, it looks pretty brutishly violent in a very unappealing way. I played in the marching band in high school, and I always brought a book with me for the actual game parts.


A lot of people say that International Football (you know, the game where players actually use their feet primarily) is boring, but I find it just the opposite, because at the highest levels, the action is so fluid and continuous. Interruptions are relatively rare. Yeah, the score numbers are low--that's because a goal is REALLY FUCKING DIFFICULT to get, and very very highly prized when it happens. I don't pretend to be a real fan of that either, though....except around FIFA World Cup time, where I do wear a Brasil bracelet for, like, a year....:blush: Cause of family. :blush:

[DonnieNarco]

174. .

This is kind of sad to see someone dismiss such a great sport as being just pummeling people in public. That is what someone unfamiliar with the game and its strategies would say. There isn't a team sport like football where everyone works together and no player is less important than another on the field.

I have met some of my best friends through sports, either playing or spectating. Sports are a common bond for almost everyone, and being involved in sports are my best memories. I played rugby throughout high school and injured my hand, knee, shoulder, as well as a concussion, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Winning a state championship is like no other feeling.

The "progress" part really bothered me. Football is not something that's holding back evolution. Sports can be an escape for one or two days a week without having to realize how much life sucks and how bad everything else is. Sports are great, and football is one of the smartest, most strategic games there is. If football is wrong, I don't want to be right.

Go Colts. Go Irish.

[ScreamingMeemie]

177. Welcome to DU

:toast: Your Colts have got some...um..."issues". ;)

[DonnieNarco]

179. Haha to say the least

I'm trying to be positive about the season though. We could have a nice Favre-Rodgers situation going on next year, or maybe we'll just trade Peyton or Luck for a bunch of draft picks to help rebuild that defense.

Long time lurker, first time poster. I'm a frequenter on multiple football message boards and blogs, so of course it would be a football post that would bring me out of the lurk zone.

[ScreamingMeemie]

183. Glad you took the plunge.

I am a Packer fan. I didn't blame Brett for doing what he did (until he signed with the Vikings-and now he needs to not talk about Aaron because Aaron is kind of showing him up) and Rodgers sure is really exciting. I think this is a temporary bump for the Colts. My son is a Lions fan. This is his the first season in his 13 years that I've seen him happy on a Sunday. :)

[DonnieNarco]

184. I love watching Aaron Rodgers play.

It's detrimental to my schoolwork and social life since I cannot turn away from the TV when he's playing. I kind of root against the Packers D just so he has more reason to throw. Also I really want him to break Brady's touchdown record. I hate seeing Brady's name in the record book.

I'm thinking it's temporary. For the most part the only Colts football I've known is with Peyton so the lowest of lows really makes me appreciate the highest of highs.

[ScreamingMeemie]

186. It would be sad to never see Peyton play again, but I hope

he makes the right decision for his health. He seems like an anything for the team type. I will never forget the gunslinging contest between him and Brett Favre in, I think it was '98.

I grew up during the Packers' "Bart Starr as coach" experiment...and it was painful to watch. It was painful again in the late 90's and early 2000's. I will admit, ticked as I was, it was amazing to see Favre play so well that season with the Vikings.

[DonnieNarco]

187. This would just be a sad way for him to go out.

Peyton is more than just an athlete in this city. He's everything. Hundreds of thousands of people, including me, would be devastated if he never played again. Hopefully he could stick around as a coach though.

On the bright side, tickets to see the Colts play are getting a lot cheaper!

[pipi_k]

198. It would be, but you know, OTOH...

at least he wouldn't be an object of ridicule like Brett Favre was.

When the Colts were in the AFC East, of course they were a division rival, and I rooted against them and dissed them (as a team) just for that reason.

I've gained a whole new respect for Manning since his injury, though. He's right there in the booth, trying to help the team...if not with his arm, at least with his knowledge.

If I had to guess, I would say that he will probably not be able to return to the field. It will be sad, but at least he'll have won a Superbowl ring, and at least he'll have gone out like a hero instead of a buffoon.

:)

[frylock]

176. i like turtles

knu

[liberal_mama]

189. I've never liked football either

I think it's a violent and barbaric game.

[Shagbark Hickory]

191. So many peeps agree with you, myself incl, but no recs???

:shrug:

[AngryAmish]

193. I have always loved football and I am weaning myself off of it.

I played as a youth (and badly too). Was too small to play well. Took up boxing and golf.

The more we now about head injuries make the sport hard to support in its current form. The only way to make the game safer is to make running the ball illegal, no three point stances and no running behind your pads. Make all tackles rugby-style.


on edit: I have a ten month old lad. He is not playing tackle football.

[pipi_k]

216. I applaud your decision....

Ten months old is way too young to be playing tackle football...it's better to wait till he's about 2 1/2 or so...


:+

[WinkyDink]

197. It is not possible to "explain" a liking for football, a difficulty extended to many other human

likes.

"Why do you like salt?" I JUST DO.

I am sure, however, that you believe everything you like has a thoroughly rational explanation.

[Marrah_G]

199. I love football

I am sure you have areas of interest that I would find dull, boring or stupid.

I am also madly in love with a football coach who is am amazing caring, compassionate giving man who coaches alongside his own son because he loves the game and loves the kids he coaches. He has a very positive impact on the young lives he touches and his players adore him. They often drop by long after graduation to chat and catch up.

[Upton]

200. Jim Harbaugh for coach of the year!!

[DonnieNarco]

204. Good ol' captain comeback.

I'm happy to see he's doing well in the pros.

[LeftyMom]

250. WHO'S GOT IT BETTER THAN US?

[Ilsa]

202. What's life without a little RISK? Risk has its rewards.

Do you gamble on anything, like the roll of dice? I bet some of the same brain neurons are enervated in players and gamblers.

People enjoy healthy competition. Yes, there is danger in the sport. There is also danger in driving fast cars, flying experimental aircraft, going into space, commercial deep sea fishing, even in making public appearances as a politician. What's life without a little risk?

[Rebubula]

209. To quote Metallica (great source...lol)

And they probably are quoting\paraphrasing someone else...

'those people who tell you not to take chances, they are all missing of what life's about'


Life in finite - have fun and do no harm to others. Except when you need to tackle the QB ....

[w8liftinglady]

203. My son loves to play football.

He is also a caring and loving person.
I enjoy watching his games.
I guess that makes me evil,backwards-doesn't it?

[Rebubula]

205. I have always...

...hated what you like and I cannot understand why anyone likes what you like.


Seriously - what a douchy OP.


It must be so freaking awesome to be you.

[cherish44]

206. Not a fan of football myself

but to each his own. I think our culture does take it way to seriously, it's supposed to be entertainment after all.

[tuckessee]

208. Football is a perfect reflection of American society.

It's nothing but mindless violence, militaristic lingo and committee meetimgs.

[ensho]

213. agree - and kids are brainwashed into thinking its a grand thing

nt

[LanternWaste]

217. Some people like one thing while other people may life another thing

Some people may enjoy one thing while other people may enjoy another, completely different thing. That was one of the first absolutes I learned about the human race. I presumed everyone knew that-- from toddler to senior, but it appears I was most certainly wrong about that.

Regardless, as to why it's enjoyable or entertaining to watch or participate in, I can only imagine that like most of our personal preferences and desires, the answer is far too diaphanous and subjective to allow a precise and objective answer. :shrug:

I certainly cannot give an objective and defining answer as to why I enjoy Carravagio painting, but I do... :shrug:

[The2ndWheel]

218. Their bodies, their choice?

It sounds like any answer anyone would give would be hated and/or not understood.

In a way, the passion you feel against football, could be the same passion someone else has for football. It's passion. It's emotion. It's camaraderie.

Sure, you can have camaraderie in pretty much anything. Violent, non-violent, whatever. But, different people like or dislike different things. They feel passionately about different things, both important and not important. Diversity is messy.

[raccoon]

220. You and me both. I still don't understand the rules of the game.

I've never been a football fan, and never will be.

And some years ago I decided that's OK. :-)

[Mendocino]

222. I don't love it, I don't hate it.

I'm simply not interested. I haven't watched any sports since the 94 Winter Olympics. I just don't want to take the time. But I'm athletic. I bicycle, canoe, x-country skiing to keep in shape. Injuries are possible but not likely. People can occupy their time anyway they want. But when someone considers me abnormal, because I don't watch football or any other sport, I take offense.

That being said though, I feel there is far to much emphasis on sport in our culture. I resent public money given to billionaire team owners. I resent paying more for a product because its cost is inflated by advertising used to ultimately pay athletes. I resent the "I can do whatever I want because I'm an athlete" attitude. I resent someone whining about paying taxes to their local school district, but spend thousands going to college and pro games.

And why did Paterno and others at PSU turn a blind eye to the scandal.... they chose to follow the money, not their souls.

[ceile]

226. Then don't watch it. n/t

[LWolf]

228. I'll tell you what drew me when I was a kid.

At 11-12, I wasn't a sports fan. I never had been. The only time I can ever remember sports being mentioned in my home was sometime in the 60s, when the Chiefs went to a superbowl. I didn't know who the chiefs were, what football was, or what a superbowl was, but my mom turned it on anyway, because it was a big deal locally. We lived in KC. She fell asleep reading her book on the couch while the game played on our first ever tv, a little portable black and white. I watched for awhile, trying to figure out what all the cheering was about, shrugged, and went to get some toys.

In the early 70s, I was older, and we lived in...Thousand Oaks. My mother was dating a football fan. He took us to the Cowboy's summer training camp, telling us repeatedly that they were "Superbowl Champions." Okay. So we sat on some bleachers and watched some guys running around, tossing a ball, knocking each other down. Yawn. Until...the guy sitting behind us started bellowing. I can still hear him today: "Go get him, Charlie! KNOCK HIS BALLS OFF, CHARLIE!" (To Charlie Waters.) And other pithy things. I looked at my mom and saw that she was red in the face, because this guy was screaming obscenities and sexually suggestive comments in front of her 11-12 yo daughter. I was hooked.

It wasn't the game. It wasn't what happened on the field. It was my mom's embarrassment. I sat and pondered what she'd do if I stood up and yelled, "Yeah! Knock his balls off, Charlie! Hit him where it counts!" or something similar. But I didn't.

That fall, when the 'boys came to play the Rams, we gathered in a friend of the boyfriend's home with about 30 other people to watch the game. Before the game, I went around and bet every adult 50 cents that the 'boys would win. They all took the bet. They spent the next 3 hours screaming, throwing things at the tv, and generally frustrated. When we left, I went around and collected my winnings. A pretty good haul. Even better was hearing them mutter about being "beaten by a kid."

During my middle school and high school years, I never attended a school sports game. But I used to gather with friends and aquaintances at a local ranch; while we were waiting for horses to finish eating, we'd divide into teams and play out in the arena. In our boots. No referees. We had a blast, and while we kept score, "winning" was never about the score. I played on the line when we were on defense. I had more sacks than everyone else combined. Why? The opposing QB was cute. He LIKED it when I sacked him. My friend played on the offensive line opposite me. When she got tired of losing me, and watching me sack her QB, she'd grab both my legs and simply sit down and hold on, laughing madly. I'd be laughing, too, struggling to free myself. No rules.

So...for a couple of decades, I watched football. It wasn't the game itself. It was the very American, if less than worthy, competitive drive. During that time I grew up, married a sports fan, and watched my kids play football. They were good at it. They had fun. They attended some summer football camps; day camps, and I was there watching all day, every day. Their dad took them to both Ram and Cowboy summer training camps to watch; they got to retrieve balls for the kickers at the Cowboy's camp. They enjoyed it while it lasted, and left it behind when they got to high school, since neither of them would ever be anywhere near large enough to seriously compete, and they had better things to do than sit on the bench.

I quit watching football, or following it, when I divorced. I haven't missed it. I HAVE enjoyed playing catch with a football with my grandson. He likes to play catch. That's all he's ever done; no games, no tackling, although he often falls when he catches the ball. He's an intense kid, with ADHD on top of that. There is something about the force of the impact when he falls down that he loves. He seems to be able to expel more excess energy that way. He's been that way since he was a toddler falling down on purpose. I've wondered if that has something to do with the love of football; the ability to expend and expel aggressive energy without getting in trouble. Or, maybe it's just permission to be a bully in a socially acceptable way. Or maybe both.

[NeedleCast]

237. I love these threads where people insist others explain why they like a thing

As a person who formerly played football and loves watching it, I'll give you an answer (which I'm sure you won't understand).

As it pertains to playing. I enjoy the exercise, the physicality of the game, the competition and the excitement, especially the emotional high of winning.

As a fan, I enjoy the fact that football provides an opportunity for my friends and fellow fans to get together and enjoy a game. There's an emotional enjoyment I get from the teams I support winning games or playing well.

At the end of the day though, asking people why they like a thing is pretty dumb. Asking why someone likes football is no different than asking someone why they prefer listening to Megadeth over Justin Bieber. If you can figure out what makes a person like one thing and not another, you can probably make stacks of money. Until then, why not just let people enjoy what they enjoy?

[Wait Wut]

240. Your opinion. My opinion?

GO BEARS!!!! :bounce:

[Zorra]

249. Football is like a combination of chess crossed with ballet.

It's really a graceful and complex game. I think it's amazing.

The violence can be ugly, but at least it's not the Roman Colloseum.

[JCMach1]

260. played by fat men on steroids

[Tumbulu]

254. Thanks everyone for the interesting discussion and

comments.

I learned from your posts and enjoyed hearing your views; one of the things I like so much about DU is getting to read how other people experience things. So many of you are really great writers as well.

Thanks, hoping that you all had a great 11/11/11

Tumbulu

[Manifestor_of_Light]

258. Football and traumatic brain damage. A very specific kind of damage.

Kyle Turley:

"Turley is six feet five. He is thirty-four years old, with a square jaw and blue eyes. For nine years, before he retired, in 2007, he was an offensive lineman in the National Football League. He knew all the stories about former football players.

Mike Webster, the longtime Pittsburgh Steeler and one of the greatest players in N.F.L. history, ended his life a recluse, sleeping on the floor of the Pittsburgh Amtrak station. Another former Pittsburgh Steeler, Terry Long, drifted into chaos and killed himself four years ago by drinking antifreeze.

Andre Waters, a former defensive back for the Philadelphia Eagles, sank into depression and pleaded with his girlfriend—“I need help, somebody help me”—before shooting himself in the head. There were men with aching knees and backs and hands, from all those years of playing football. But their real problem was with their heads, the one part of their body that got hit over and over again."



Read more http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/10/19/091019fa_fact_gladwell#ixzz1dZ6UfVMw

[eridani]

257. I've heard it said that there should be a total weight limit in football to reduce injuries

Add up all the weights of the players on the field, and it can't be over a specified number. Might make for more interesting strategies too.

[Whisp]

261. Bread and circuses

Not that much different from the Roman coliseum. Distract the rabble by preying on their aggression - very useful for wars. We are number 1! Win at all costs.

[blueamy66]

262. Take a Xanax and get backto me

You have read toooo much into this.....