Almond Losing His Faith In Football Analysis

In America, football is huge entertainment industry and brings in lots of money annually. This doesn’t mean that football is just there for the money, but it provides life long impact for some people. Football is used as a brotherhood or a family, and provides opportunities for kids to learn how to be a teammate. The head coach for J.H. Rose High School, discussed how he loves his team and wants nothing but the best for them (CNN, 2012). In addition, it is a matter of autonomy to be discussed. If a player knows the risks of football, it should be their choice whether they want to play or not. One of the football players in the video said he knows the risks and he’s willing to take them (CNN, 2012). On the other hand, some would argue the principle of beneficence and that doctors are merely trying to save the lives of many young men. In the video, it was discussed that tau proteins become present in the brain after multiple collisions to the head (CNN, 2012). Tau proteins are known to become present in the brain when an older person has Alzheimer’s or dementia (CNN, 2102). Also, is football worth a life, two lives? How many young men have to lose their lives to head trauma caused by football hits, to realize this sport is deadly. Zach Rogers was a teammate and friend of JaQuan Waller, and said how they thought JaQuan was okay and just got hit pretty hard

Football is America’s go to entertainment sport. The NFL hit its peak in 2015, with an average of 114.1 million television viewers throughout the year (“Statista,” 2017). This sport is loved by all, the players, parents, coaches, and fans. But, is football merely entertainment? Is it just a simple game, teaching young boys the value of teamwork, dedication, and discipline? Are parents spending their Friday nights to support their boys, or is there something bigger happening? In H.G Bissinger’s novel, Friday Night Lights, one can see the true effects of this toxic drug through the mindset of the players and the actions of the coaches. While society sees football as entertainment, it actually functions more like a drug.

Almond argues that football fans are complicit in the multitude of inevitable injuries that take place in the game and should consider halting their support. He often compares war and football, attempting to connect the prominent violence in both activities. In addition to this, Almond uses personal stories of harm caused during football games to further his point. He illustrates hard hits on the field from well known players and a personal friend. Furthermore, Steve Almond uses bits of irrefutable medical evidence to prove why watching the Super Bowl may is a negative thing. He then takes all of his points and poses the

Even though football players are aware of the dangers the game can bring upon them, they take part despite it. The passion, the joy it creates; for professionals it’s also the devoted fans and compensation they receive is what keeps the players motivated. Today players are much bigger, faster, smarter, bigger, better. The game is more physical. The sport has never been so competitive. The popularity has reached new peaks, as much that the NFL has thoughts of moving a team to London, England. Additionally, Super Bowl XLVII (47) was one of the most watched television events of all time; an astonishing 108.4 million viewers (The Associated Press). Fans worship their teams and love to see big hits. Football is a contact sport; injuries are no

Football remains the most popular sport in America and the ninth most popular sport in the world for a reason. Since its creation in 1869, football has played a fundamental part of American society. Every Sunday, my family along with millions of other Americans turn the television to CBS, NBC or FOX to watch their favorite football team go to battle. My family and I bleed burgundy and gold and root for the home team the Washington Redskins. Americans including myself display great intensity and passion for the game of football and the result of the game often changes my attitude for the better or worse. Watching the game on television may come as exhilarating and entertaining, but playing the game creates the best times. Overall football has made a severe impact on many people’s lives. Football teaches unique lessons in a hands on manner which helps athletes like myself sustain a much more adventurous life. Football has made an immeasurably positive influence upon my life, but the sport has its dangers. Football changes lives.

There’s no doubt that concussions in football has become a major problem, not just for the professional athletes, but for kids of all ages from age 8 to 19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shown that concussion have doubled in the last decade and The American Academy of Pediatrics says that, “emergency room visits for concussions in children ages 8 to 13 years old has doubled, and concussions have risen 200 percent among teens ages 14 to 19 in the last decade” (Keith Dunlap, The Oakland Press). This shows that the seriousness of concussions is not just an issue at a pro level but an issue throughout all levels of play. The risk is definitely present when you play football but it shouldn’t stop parents from letting their children participate in the sport. Playing organized sports such as football isn’t just a place to get injured, it’s a place where your children can learn the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, toughness, competitiveness, they learn succeed, and also they learn about failure. The parents who don’t allow their children to play sports don’t let their kids learn about these important lessons of organized sports. Football is also a way for kids to take their anger and struggles out in the game and help them express themselves. It can also be a way for kids in bad situations to get a way out, to try and reach the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Most people understand that football is a violent sport, and one must be very tough in order to compete. Injuries NFL athletes suffer can affect, not only the player, but also the fans and family members watching. Over time, many have become increasingly disturbed by the violence that routinely occurs in

We see injuries in pretty much every sport now a days. People refuse to let their children play sports because they are worried of them getting hurt. Football is one of those sports that have to deal with injuries on a daily basis. Football as a sport is highly praised in the United States. People truly love not only playing the game but also watching the college players and the professionals. The game of football first originated on November 6, 1869. It was actually two universities—Rutgers and Princeton—that made up the first college football game. The first NFL game was played on December 18, 1932. Football has clearly been around for a really long time and there seems to be no sign of the sport slowing down.

While growing up in the state of Texas I was introduced to National Football League (NFL) at a very young age. Not only was I obsessed with great players like Emmitt Smith and Michael Irving, I had a more finical appreciation for the lucrativeness associated with the NFL. My young adulthood as well as my teenage years was spent playing and learning football with the aspirations of hopefully making it to the NFL. Unfortunately, my playing days ended with tryouts at Texas Tech University, but my love for the game has remained stagnant over the years even till this day. The NFL today is Americas most watched sports league and has taken the crown as the most lucrative and unique economic force in sports. Forbes offered approximations stating that on average, the NFL generates more than $6-9 billion a year in revenues alone. A third of the individual franchises in the league were appraised at over more than $1 billion while the other franchises average nine figures or higher. The NFL as an organization generates its revenues through a multitude of ways ranging from huge television contracts, in-stadium ticket sales, advertising ads paid for by sponsors and merchandise. Their business model unlike most other leagues, is centered on a hard salary cap on player contracts which provides cost certainty with its sponsors. In this paper, I will examine the economic and historical narrative associated with the growth of the NFL’s

Although there are numerous different sports around the world, but often the sports that are considered the most popular tend to be the ones that hold the most aggression. For instance, in America the last 30 years straight, professional football has been the most popular sport (Rovell). Since football is the most popular sport, it is also one of the most aggressive sports, along with hockey, mixed martial arts, and soccer. Part of how American football is played is by being very hands on against the opponent, such that, the players have to tackle and knock down the other team’s players. As a result, at times during a game, serious injuries or accidents can occur, particularly, concussions. Unfortunately, there are instances where the aggression, such as in football, takes a toll on all the players’ bodies. Leaving professional football players injured, changing their whole life. For instance, “Earl Campbell was one of the NFL’s most prolific running backs to ever suit up” (Diaz &

The lack of knowledge that the majority of athletes enter the league with causes experts on the NFL’s policies to believe that the front office does not see the injury as a serious problem in the game today. “With the subsequent deaths of several relatively young retired NFL players, the autopsies of their brains, and the newly minted diagnosis chronic traumatic encephalopathy, we know the problem is real” (Carroll). This quotation intensifies the emphasis on the true problem the National Football League seems to be avoiding. Every injury, no matter how small or seemingly unimportant, needs to be addressed. “Even the only game that matters doesn't matter as much as your brain” (Flynn). There is nothing wrong with a person participating in the sport he loves, but when a blow to the head occurs, quick and efficient action must be taken to address the situation at hand. The National Football League and its policies do not suffice in relation to this area of concern. The fact of the matter is that no game, activity, or sport is worth a person’s

To start things off, Football is known to be a popular American sport, As Nina Burleigh states in her essay “Would Football without Concussions Still Be Football?” That “Professional football is currently the most popular spectator sport in the United States” (610). Burleigh also mentioned “Currently the super bowl is the most watched sporting event in the United States, and it is also seen by millions of people around the world” (610). This goes to show you that Men, kids and even women enjoy watching the game whether its attending a little league football game every Saturday, A high school game every Friday or watching the NFL every Sunday on ESPN. “Such is the glory and delirium of American football – invigorating autumn air, the crack of a beer at the tailgate, the snuggling team logo sweat shirts” (Burleigh 611). Burleigh describes a day of feeling relaxed in which almost every American can enjoy while watching or attending a

Players of the modernized Nation Football League are tremendously bigger, faster, and stronger than they once were. Taken from the Current Events of the Weekly Reader Corporation, the article “Hit Men” explains, “one reason concussions are becoming more severe and frequent in the NFL is that the average size of the players is increasing.” The physical expectation set by the NFL constantly pushes these athletes to achieve their most preeminent physical state. Although this “survival of the fittest” notion may sound encouraging, the result is seen in the amount of concussion numbers increasing over the years. However, this necessity to greater themselves can be seen on both sides of the argument. Jeb Golinkin, the author of “Why Parents Should Let Their Kids Play Dangerous Sports” acknowledges how “between the lines, our children learn the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, toughness, and competitiveness”(11). The qualities attained through contact sports are essential in order to make it in todays working world, not to mention how valuable they are in managing interpersonal relationships. With that being said the argument could be made that these life skills could be learned elsewhere. Sports like baseball and volleyball both offer the opportunity to learn these qualities and many other skills, without the same risks football imposes on its players. Overall, although football

Football is a rough sport. Many fans of the game watch it for the hard hits. These hard hits and the potential for injury is part of what makes the game so exciting. Some people say that football is too brutal and should be banned. Parents all over the United States don’t allow their children to play because of the risk of head injuries. Others allow their sons, and every now and then their daughters, to play and risk injury for a chance to earn a college scholarship and for a small percentage of players, the chance to play in the National Football League (NFL).

Since the introduction of organized team sports into American culture, numerous sports have stepped into the limelight for certain periods of time but none have stuck around as long as football has. Just as with everything else in life, football has had it’s fair share of drawbacks since its invention in the mid-19th century. Despite the drawbacks and criticism football has faced, its role and influence on American culture between the 1890’s and 1930’s far outweigh the negative aspects of its past.