Let’s talk turkey: If Football is eventually eliminated as a contact sport, what does that say?...

[Mitsurugi san]

...about our society?

I have no opinion worth arguing for/against, but I’m curious what the pulse is on the subject.

Are you in the camp of “it’s just a game; it’s elimination would have no broader meaning about society?”...

“It would be a sign of the wussification of America!”

“It’s a sign that we have matured and progressed as a society”

...something else perhaps?

 

[ou812]

Over the past 100 years we have evolved from a predominantly rural-blue collar society to a suburban-white collar society.

Football is a physical sport that attracted hard working farm boys as well as the sons of miners and the sons of factory workers due to its rough nature. (I'm aware that it was insanely popular with well to do ivy league families upon it's inception but the popularity of the sport grew with the common masses).

As those jobs have consistently disappeared from our society, the physical attraction of the sport has lessened. With each generation, kids have spent less time doing physical labor and work. In turn, football has become less attractive to them. With fewer and fewer kids playing the sport, fewer and fewer will grow into adults who want their sons to play the sport just like they did.

That's my theory. I'm not sure it's pussification (although I've used that term many times) and I don't think it's a matured society. I think it's an evolved society that enjoys watching more than playing and as fewer play, their will be fewer interested in watching.

IMO, we're still a quite a ways away from it disappearing or becoming non relevant but within the next two or three generations I could see it becoming more of a fringe sport, although I think it will still be with us, just not as big.

I will say however, that if it is ever removed from our high schools it will be a game changer. Once communities lose the attachment to the local schoolboys representing the local school the grassroots of the sport will diminish.


Just my thoughts, they are probably way off.

 

[mowesten]

...about our society?

I have no opinion worth arguing for/against, but I’m curious what the pulse is on the subject.

Are you in the camp of “it’s just a game; it’s elimination would have no broader meaning about society?”...

“It would be a sign of the wussification of America!”

“It’s a sign that we have matured and progressed as a society”

...something else perhaps?

I'm not sure it says anything specific, other than we're a complicated society with complicated issues. People always want the simplest, easiest to understand answers, something that is black and white, when truth is, things are rarely simple.

Easy example: Are we more or less concerned with our overall health as a society?

On the one hand, we have a slew of gyms, weight rooms, fitness classes, etc. that have become big business in recent years. As someone who travels all over the country, there are a lot of area's where people are outside running, walking, riding bikes, etc., and communities have created infrastructure in a lot of the nicer area's of the country to facilitate those activities that didn't exist thirty years ago.

On the other hand, I often drive by fast food restaurants where there is a 20 car deep line in the drive through and nobody at the counter inside. People are so fat and lazy they would rather sit in the drive through for 45 minutes than park the car and walk thirty feet and go inside where there is no line.

So are we more concerned with being healthy, or are we pathetic? Depends. Maybe we're trying to run off our bad habits? Who knows.

 

[JNreturns]

The National Football League has destroyed the defensive game. Horrible flag football they play. It is like watching a basketball game where only 4 players can defend against 5 past mid court.

 

[anon_o1osz027druk9]

It means a little of all of those things in my opinion. You Know what football is at this point. And nobody should tell someone if they can or cannot play by a certain age. We all know the risk. Football is a contact and can be downright violent sport. It’s done on someone’s own will. Nothing should chnage about the sport. Maybe make things safer in regards to padding? Ok. More safe in regards to helmet related things? If possible. But this is a troubling sign. People need to understand this. Quit ruining things just because you don’t like it. Players know they are putting potential future health on the line on every snap. It’s very sad.

 

[anon_o1osz027druk9]

The National Football League has destroyed the defensive game. Horrible flag football they play. It is like watching a basketball game where only 4 players can defend against 5 past mid court.

Couldn’t agree more. I don’t have much opinion on the anthem protest. But this stuff is making the NFL hard to watch. If you KNOW football? Defense is beautiful to watch. And it’s being destroyed.

 

[FOURPLAY]

I would agree with you. Even in just the last few years, there has been a decrease in the participation, and level of play in our area. I can't speak for other areas, but according to the numbers that the national federation puts out, there has been approximately a 3 percent drop off in participation nationwide, for the last several years. There will always be a few towns around where football is important, but overall, football is becoming less relevant every year. The NFL is the biggest example of this with their declining audience numbers. It is a shame, but at some point, the dreaded "S" word may take over as the premier sport. JMO

 

[Rufus R. Jones]

It means a little of all of those things in my opinion. You Know what football is at this point. And nobody should tell someone if they can or cannot play by a certain age. We all know the risk. Football is a contact and can be downright violent sport. It’s done on someone’s own will. Nothing should chnage about the sport. Maybe make things safer in regards to padding? Ok. More safe in regards to helmet related things? If possible. But this is a troubling sign. People need to understand this. Quit ruining things just because you don’t like it. Players know they are putting potential future health on the line on every snap. It’s very sad.

Nobody is ruining it because they don't like it. They seem to like it just fine. The problem is, fewer people are playing the sport, in part but not entirely, due to injury concerns. At all levels. Is somebody "making" NFL players retire much earlier than normal? To each their own. If somebody doesn't want to play, fine, don't play. It's not the end of the world. A lot of this macho, tough guy bullshit is laughable.

 

[touchdownsilly]

I have the answer! Take off all the equipment and play like we did when we were all kids in the backyard. I think it is crazy that we use Rugby-Hawk tackling styles to protect the kids yet RUGBY players wear no equipment and have little issues with concussions. It would save a bucket load of money for schools. Just my thought

 

[Duck_walk]

Can looking at boxing give us a hint?

There used to be gyms all over the country where amateur boxers worked on their craft.
Arguably, the most popular boxer of all time ends up with brain damage and was a shell of a man at a relatively young age. Duk koo Kim died during a match. Boxing isnt even close to what it used to be, but it still exists.

A lot of black athletes have moved on to other sports leaving mostly Latino boxers but thats about it.

What does boxing's demise say about us?

 

[J. Kane]

 

[anon_o1osz027druk9]

Nobody is ruining it because they don't like it. They seem to like it just fine. The problem is, fewer people are playing the sport, in part but not entirely, due to injury concerns. At all levels. Is somebody "making" NFL players retire much earlier than normal? To each their own. If somebody doesn't want to play, fine, don't play. It's not the end of the world. A lot of this macho, tough guy bullshit is laughable.

Agree

 

[bloodmakesthegrassgrow]

IMO Mental and Physical Toughness is not the same as it was 20 years ago.

 

[Duck_walk]

IMO Mental and Physical Toughness is not the same as it was 20 years ago.

For a large number of years it was VERY prevalent for coaches to not allow water breaks in practice because that was a sign of mental weakness. In the 80's we evolved to the point of making sure people were hydrated and began weighing kids before and after practice to monitor hydration levels.

Every era thinks the previous era was mentally tougher. But sometimes they were just ignorant.

 

[J. Kane]

For a large number of years it was VERY prevalent for coaches to not allow water breaks in practice because that was a sign of mental weakness. In the 80's we evolved to the point of making sure people were hydrated and began weighing kids before and after practice to monitor hydration levels.

Every era thinks the previous era was mentally tougher. But sometimes they were just ignorant.

Someone just triggered Duck!

 

[outsideveer89]

Can looking at boxing give us a hint?

There used to be gyms all over the country where amateur boxers worked on their craft.
Arguably, the most popular boxer of all time ends up with brain damage and was a shell of a man at a relatively young age. Duk koo Kim died during a match. Boxing isnt even close to what it used to be, but it still exists.

A lot of black athletes have moved on to other sports leaving mostly Latino boxers but thats about it.

What does boxing's demise say about us?

Demise???its still an Olympic event isn’t it??

 

[outsideveer89]

...about our society?

I have no opinion worth arguing for/against, but I’m curious what the pulse is on the subject.

Are you in the camp of “it’s just a game; it’s elimination would have no broader meaning about society?”...

“It would be a sign of the wussification of America!”

“It’s a sign that we have matured and progressed as a society”

...something else perhaps?

I don’t understand where all the chicken little sky is falling crap is coming from. This is an analysis of last years participation. When it gets down to it it looks like two boys at each high school decided to play soccer instead of football

While the number of participants in high school football declined, the number of schools offering the sport increased by 52 schools in 11-player – from 14,047 to 14,099 – and by nine schools in 6-, 8- and 9-player – from 1,349 to 1,358.

With 14,099 high schools offering 11-player football, the decrease of 25,901 participants amounts to fewer than two individuals (1.8) per school, and an overall decrease of 2.5 percent.

Football remains the No. 1 participatory sport for boys at the high school level by a large margin. Track and field is second with 600,136 participants, followed by basketball (550,305), baseball (491,790) and soccer (450,234).

 

[bullitpdq68]

Can looking at boxing give us a hint?

There used to be gyms all over the country where amateur boxers worked on their craft.
Arguably, the most popular boxer of all time ends up with brain damage and was a shell of a man at a relatively young age. Duk koo Kim died during a match. Boxing isnt even close to what it used to be, but it still exists.

A lot of black athletes have moved on to other sports leaving mostly Latino boxers but thats about it.

What does boxing's demise say about us?

I remember growing up and getting to watch boxing on regular TV alot, I still remember Spinks and Muhammad on ABC then going out and reenacting the fight. Then boxing got greedy and everything went to pay per view. Sort of lost is blue collar roots. Boxing wasn't on regular TV anymore no longer available to the masses I cannot remember the last time I saw boxing on a regular TV channel? I was just talking about boxing and my son went what is that dad, he has never seen a boxing match because they are not on TV.

Football has its detractors but they have lost touch with who made the NFL what it is today. I cannot afford season passes to an NFL team much less just a regular season game. I cannot afford to go purchase tickets to a good college game they are outrages, I looked into purchasing some tickets this season and nearly fell over the price they were asking along with parking at several venues. Look at NASCAR they went from racing a tricked out stock car they purchased directly from a car manufacturer to now racing fiberglass bodies that don't resemble nothing of the car you can purchase today. Then talk about pricing of tickets they to are losing fans just like the NFL and cannot figure out why. I mean they have their own station that games are now played on, if you don't have a subscription who can watch it now people lose interest.

And it is not just youth football that the numbers are down. Our youth baseball and softball programs numbers are down the last few years. More families are turning to traveling squads. Youth sports cost a ton of money and you have to devote of alot family time to them. Numbers are dwindling as more and more blue collar families cannot dedicate the time and money to the sports. Seems even youth sports are starting to become something only the affluent can afford. I mean I guy told me last night the bat he just purchased for his 11 year old cost $300!!

Even sports have become commercialized. I was listening to a youth sports directer just the other day talking about some families who had signed up and was asking for assistance with the sign up fee. After they left he said that is why we need to raise sign ups. I just shook my head and went on, thinking this is the beginning of the end.

 

[anon_o1osz027druk9]

For a large number of years it was VERY prevalent for coaches to not allow water breaks in practice because that was a sign of mental weakness. In the 80's we evolved to the point of making sure people were hydrated and began weighing kids before and after practice to monitor hydration levels.

Every era thinks the previous era was mentally tougher. But sometimes they were just ignorant.

True

 

[orabidone]

...about our society?

I have no opinion worth arguing for/against, but I’m curious what the pulse is on the subject.

Are you in the camp of “it’s just a game; it’s elimination would have no broader meaning about society?”...

“It would be a sign of the wussification of America!”

“It’s a sign that we have matured and progressed as a society”

...something else perhaps?

...about our society?

I have no opinion worth arguing for/against, but I’m curious what the pulse is on the subject.

Are you in the camp of “it’s just a game; it’s elimination would have no broader meaning about society?”...

“It would be a sign of the wussification of America!”

“It’s a sign that we have matured and progressed as a society”

...something else perhaps?

Football has NEVER been a contact sport! Dancing is a contact sport! Football is a COLLISION SPORT! And it will NEVER go away, because folks in the South LUUUUUUUUUUV violence! Now, I can't speak for those tender souls in NEW Jersey, Nu Yok, and CALIFORNIA!

 

[orabidone]

I remember growing up and getting to watch boxing on regular TV alot, I still remember Spinks and Muhammad on ABC then going out and reenacting the fight. Then boxing got greedy and everything went to pay per view. Sort of lost is blue collar roots. Boxing wasn't on regular TV anymore no longer available to the masses I cannot remember the last time I saw boxing on a regular TV channel? I was just talking about boxing and my son went what is that dad, he has never seen a boxing match because they are not on TV.

Football has its detractors but they have lost touch with who made the NFL what it is today. I cannot afford season passes to an NFL team much less just a regular season game. I cannot afford to go purchase tickets to a good college game they are outrages, I looked into purchasing some tickets this season and nearly fell over the price they were asking along with parking at several venues. Look at NASCAR they went from racing a tricked out stock car they purchased directly from a car manufacturer to now racing fiberglass bodies that don't resemble nothing of the car you can purchase today. Then talk about pricing of tickets they to are losing fans just like the NFL and cannot figure out why. I mean they have their own station that games are now played on, if you don't have a subscription who can watch it now people lose interest.

And it is not just youth football that the numbers are down. Our youth baseball and softball programs numbers are down the last few years. More families are turning to traveling squads. Youth sports cost a ton of money and you have to devote of alot family time to them. Numbers are dwindling as more and more blue collar families cannot dedicate the time and money to the sports. Seems even youth sports are starting to become something only the affluent can afford. I mean I guy told me last night the bat he just purchased for his 11 year old cost $300!!

Even sports have become commercialized. I was listening to a youth sports directer just the other day talking about some families who had signed up and was asking for assistance with the sign up fee. After they left he said that is why we need to raise sign ups. I just shook my head and went on, thinking this is the beginning of the end.

Did you reenact when CASSIUS CLAY refused to join the military because he was a SPINELESS piece of CRAP? I almost barfed when his lawyer conjured up an OUT for his dumbass, with a peace nic Conscientious Objector deferment! And THEN, he went out and BEAT the CRAP outta dudes in a ring! Nobody even knew what that WAS before he made being a pansy fashionable!

 

[JNreturns]

I grew up in a house that was one home away from the football stadium. Friday night home games would bring cars...parking up and down my street on both sides. In the Fall, football practice for Freshman through Varsity all took place almost in my back yard. Constant whistles, team cheers, yelling, the band practicing. The complete excitement of a Friday game under the lights is difficult to describe.

It was a rough violent game. We all understood. But it was accepted. It is a rite of passage. It is part of our identity. Honestly, whether teams had winning records or not, or won in the playoffs weren't as important as the team bonding, the memories, or the kinship built from the experience. It kicked ass.

I hope we don't lose it some day.

 

[FistOH]

game; it’s elimination would have no broader meaning about society?”...

Coaches and players that love the sport don't do a good job of advocating Football's importance. Like everything else, we hear the bad news 95% of the time.
The most disappointing people in my opinion are the Kurt Warners of the NFL. Not really a football player to begin with, yet he's a famous Super Bowl quarterback turned commentator and he proclaims he won't let his son play. I have heard suspension helmet Len Dawson speak about his opinion, it's a much better narrative.

 

[anon_o1osz027druk9]

Coaches and players that love the sport don't do a good job of advocating Football's importance. Like everything else, we hear the bad news 95% of the time.
The most disappointing people in my opinion are the Kurt Warners of the NFL. Not really a football player to begin with, yet he's a famous Super Bowl quarterback turned commentator and he proclaims he won't let his son play. I have heard suspension helmet Len Dawson speak about his opinion, it's a much better narrative.

Thant’s a good point

 

[FistOH]

From the standpoint of a high school coach, there are so many good things by virtue of working up through a program from 7-12 grades. We see the big boys do it, fubar the game on TV, in the off-season and particularly the NFL, but the purest form of Football is on the High school level. There is no better level than playing it for free, coaching it for t-shirts and beer money because you just love it. I quit comparing the game to next level a long time ago. I know as long as I contribute my part and share the magic with those that want to make the sacrifice, that's all that matters. If high school football coaches had any sense, they'd look at the state of affairs and indignantly self-ban the game. We don't, because some of our player's are still little boys enough to dream of playing in college.
I typically start every season the same, I watch one or two series of NFL games, fall asleep on the couch, catch a few high lights and through osmosis I somehow know a few stars on each team. Then when the high school college season is over, and I'm desperate for football, I repeat step one. The NFL games are boorrring.

 

[Duck_walk]

Did you reenact when CASSIUS CLAY refused to join the military because he was a SPINELESS piece of CRAP? I almost barfed when his lawyer conjured up an OUT for his dumbass, with a peace nic Conscientious Objector deferment! And THEN, he went out and BEAT the CRAP outta dudes in a ring! Nobody even knew what that WAS before he made being a pansy fashionable!

You do realize the government lied to the American people to escalate that war and HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of Americans died for no good reason? You probably don't. You are truly an ignorant southerner.

 

[outsideveer89]

You do realize the government lied to the American people to escalate that war and HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of Americans died for no good reason? You probably don't. You are truly an ignorant southerner.

You do realize the government lied to the American people to escalate that war and HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of Americans died for no good reason? You probably don't. You are truly an ignorant southerner.

As usual you just run your mouth with pure ignorance. There were 58,220 American deaths a terrible price but not even close to your “HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS”

Lost my brother in 1968, never got his body back he thought there was a good reason for us being there

 

[Mitsurugi san]

You do realize the government lied to the American people to escalate that war and HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of Americans died for no good reason? You probably don't. You are truly an ignorant southerner.

Only 58,318 Americans died on the Vietnam war (not that that’s still not a lot, but it’s a whole lot less than multime hundreds of thousands).

On the bright side, Muhammad Ali was not one of them

 

[Mitsurugi san]

As usual you just run your mouth with pure ignorance. There were 58,220 American deaths a terrible price but not even close to your “HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS”

Lost my brother in 1968, never got his body back he thought there was a good reason for us being there

Great minds.

 

[Duck_walk]

Only 58,318 Americans died on the Vietnam war (not that that’s still not a lot, but it’s a whole lot less than multime hundreds of thousands).

On the bright side, Muhammad Ali was not one of them

Sorry. I meant tens but typed hundreds.
It was a waste of young lives. A lot of 19
year olds died or came back in bad shape for what?

 

[BoosterBosko]

I know in PA, we have overcome some pretty big set backs at the collegiate level that might have discouraged some kids from coming out. Ill tell you what though, Ampipe has a record number of kids out this year!!!!

 

[bullitpdq68]

Coaches and players that love the sport don't do a good job of advocating Football's importance. Like everything else, we hear the bad news 95% of the time.
The most disappointing people in my opinion are the Kurt Warners of the NFL. Not really a football player to begin with, yet he's a famous Super Bowl quarterback turned commentator and he proclaims he won't let his son play. I have heard suspension helmet Len Dawson speak about his opinion, it's a much better narrative.

I don't know how I feel overall about USA football. But the one thing it does if all of your programs institute it right is it brings the parents out and gets them involved. I know Webb City's coaching staff is huge on USA football and since they bought all in, they are seeing record numbers in high school. And I don't think their numbers are declining in youth like others are. So you might be right if a Staff goes out advocates for their program it might pay dividends.