I thought that this was an interesting article, and I'm curious about your take on it. The National Football League generates billions in revenues each year. The league markets itself as America's pastime. Have we become immune to the violence on TV each Sunday? We have all seen players being carted off the field on stretchers. Is it time to rethink our support of this league?
41 comments:
I believe that we are not immune to the effects of violence in today’s society; however we are more habituated by its presence. Ever since the media world began to evolve especially in the 50s-90s, violence is increasingly ever present. Nowadays, action-packed movies are the norm and by exposing these kinds of movies to the most influenced humans, children, they in turn will either become more impulsive and violent or become apathetic to the pain of others. I can attest to the neurological facts stated in the article is very much true, as I have seen a few brain scans of football players myself. In reality, many people can look at the NFL differently, but the NFL itself will not conform too much in order to keep the same appeal to the important people, the consumers. Typically for e very regulation enforced, a small amount of money is essentially lost in order to keep it enforce, with many more enforcements the net profit would decrease and many companies do not like that. Personally, I would not really care, expect for the head injuries that would continue, since I do not watch football. But to many others I believe it is time for them to look at more than the violence and excitement of American football.
I believe that regardless of the violence involved, football is still not as terrible as some would have you to believe. Football has undergone hundreds of rules and regulation changes to make it as safe as possible. Despite its flaws, the game for the most part is inert. Football provides entertainment to its viewers and enjoyable playtime for its players. Though some desensitization will occur, football is by far the lesser of two evils when comparing it to machete fights and bull fights of Haiti and Spain, respectively. In fact, all sports or entertainment come with some risk or desensitization involved. Though football may have some worries about it, it is still a game worth watching.
Personally, I don't like football and one of the reasons is its violence. Of course football has became a part of American culture, everyone watches football, including kids. Football might have a bad influence, because children learn fast and they do not know what is right. After all, it is just a sport that we watch mostly for entertainment. Watch it or not might be a personal choice.
I do not think that we are becoming violent because of football. The consequence of playing football is players getting hurt. These players know the consequences, and people do not watch football to see the players get hurt they watch it because they enjoy the game. Instead of people changing their support of the game, the NFL officials need to take more actions against life threatening hits, as they have been doing. So we can all enjoy to sport we love without seeing individuals getting hurt or dying.
Even though football can be considered one of the most dangerous sports in the industry, people should not lose support of the sport because of the violence. Football season has such a vast attraction because of the thrill of the gaming spirit and entertainment. Some of the greatest moments in athletics occur in the NFL, and the risk of injury should not cause the sport to lose support. Athletes in almost all other sports are liable to injury as well.
I don't agree with getting rid of football. it is a sport, but it is also a career. The football players know the dangers of playing but choose to anyway. Football is not intended to promote violence and is not meant to be watched as such. Football is meant to bring happiness to sports fans. Also, whenever a player is injured it is not like the world acts indifferent, most people feel sympathy for the injured player.
I don't think football has made us immune to violence. Compared to many other sports such as Nascar (where cars frequently crash and burst into flame), wrestling, boxing and hockey (where some spectators go simply to see the fights), football can hardly be considered violent. Humans have definitely improved in morals over the years, in Ancient Roman times bloody gladiator fights were frequently held at the Coliseum and in Elizabethan England, bear baiting was a favorite event. Football is a sport beloved by many because of the action and not because of the violence, whenever injuries occur, the audience settles into a somber silence rather than cheering for joy. Ii is impossible for any sport to be completely safe but changes have been taken to ensure the safety of the players. Players are aware of the risks when they start playing but they still choose play.
I think America has indeed become immune to that sort of violence -- violence has, since Roman times, been a constant form of entertainment. We as a society have been desensitized to the notion that these players are getting injured and will suffer from last neurological injuries for the rest of their lives. While yes, football players may 'know the risks' going into playing the game, that doesn't make it any less unwise to something that could hurt you for the rest of your life. What's more important, having short lived fun playing football, or living a long, healthy life? I may just have this opinion because I don't enjoy football, but I think either people shouldn't play it at all, or train players into not thinking it's completely necessary to beat the crap out of someone to get the ball out of their hands. I would have no problem if there weren't so many cases of players having last neurological effects.
I think we have somewhat become immune to to violence on TV but it's not just football. It's other things we watch. I don't watch football but from replays I've seen, and from what I've read on the article, it's pretty dangerous. I think people will support the sport no matter what, because they find it entertaining even if other people are getting hurt. I also think some regulations have to be put in place in order to protect the players because, even if they choose to play the game, they're still human, and they still get hurt and they need to be protected.
As someone who has never bothered to sit through a game of football, I can't personally attest to the game's violence. However, I can say that people have certainly become more desensitized to violence. They forget that the people bashing themselves to death on the television are people as well. If we are to appreciate a sport, then some concern for the players would be nice. Many people, however, do not condone the violence in the NFL, and new technologies may be able to reduce the trauma from head collisions, so perhaps football can be redeemed.
We have not become immune to football. Even though we love to see players getting "trucked", we still cringe at the site of devastating hits. Just because we love to see these hits and have become used to it, doesn't mean we are immune to it. Everyone who watches and plays football are well aware of the consequences of playing football and understand the repercussions from it. The NFL has taken notice of these life-threatening hits and has made helmet-to-helmet hits illegal and players can be fined and suspended for these devastating, concussion-causing hits. The game of football is too fun and I will never rethink supporting the NFL.
Football does not promote violence, it is all kept within the sport. No one, not even the easily influenced children, walk down the street and say "I'm going to tackle you like Joe Thomas." Everyone knows that the behavior is only acceptable in football. As far as the injuries go, it is sort of a "player beware" type thing. Everyone that plays football knows the risks and accepts them. We can't make everyone's choices for them by limiting their freedom with rules and regulations. Football is purely entertainment, just as the gladiators were in ancient Rome. If the players enjoy what they do then why stop them?
Samir Williams 7th Period
I really domt think football makes our society violent at all. Football helps build a persons work ethic and everything. Plus if u fight you get penalized for it. So for those who think football makes a person violent i feel bad for you.
I don't think football has made us immune to violence. Although we do see a lot of violence in football, it is part of the nature of the game. The players, as well as the people watching know that there is a possibility that someone could get hurt. Even with these risks, we should not rethink our support of this league.
I think that although football has proven to be a dangerous sport, Americans should not have to give up watching it. It is a favorite pastime and in order to keep it a positive form of entertainment, fans should place pressure on the league to modify rules so that the risk of injuries is greatly decreased. There will always be risk of injury in contact sports but tackles that are threatening to the long term safety of the victim must be more strictly regulated. The danger factor does make the sport thrilling, but the major injuries should be better prevented.
Although I personally am not a fan of American football, I believe that it is fine for people to be fans of it. The thrill of football is not its violence, but rather teams' attempts to score points. It is definitely unfortunate that some athletes will be hurt while playing football, but in other sports, such as soccer, players are also commonly injured. The NFL has even implemented procedures to reduce the risk of severe injuries. Football is not an extremely violent sport, so while I myself do not enjoy watching it, I have no objections to others excited by it. Young people who choose to play football do so not because of the violence involved, so I do not believe that it encourages violence. If anything, "sports" such as mixed martial arts are ones that may send the wrong message, not football.
I do not think that it is time to rethink our support of the league because it is no like the NFL is sitting around doing nothing about these issues. They, along with any scientists, are constantly looking for ways to make this game safer, and their rules about things such as these generally do help prevent issues such as these. Also, the men that enter this sport know that there are risks and choose to take them. I also think that it is important to remember that the object of football is not to seriously injure people, but to score more points then the other team, and as the players become more aware of the dangers, they will be ore willing to return to the proper tackling form, and not do things such as spearing someone to the head with their own head.
i donot see the point in lose the support of the game since it is violence.The football players knew the dangers of playing but choose to anyway.
I do not believe the violence that is displayed during football is at such a great deal that people should stop viewing it. In all types of jobs peolpe get hurt, the only difference between football and any other job is that the football is being recorded. Im sure if you were to record a janitor doing their job, there might be an instance where they slip on some water, or if you record a person in the military out on the combat field, you would see someone getting being shot at, yet you do not see people demanding those jobs be removed, nor are they taking oaths to stop supporting those jobs. The reality is that people get hurt no matter what you are doing. To try to stop viewing something because of its violence would be obsolete because it would be you against everything in this world.
In no way is football anymore violent now then it was 50 years ago, however technology has allowed us to view the violence in new ways. Football has several rules, all aimed at keeping the player safe, however it is know that it, like almost all sport, is violent. Players must keep that in mind when choosing it as a career choice, and for the most part I think the love of the game over powers the fear of injury. People love violence and thus sport attract us. In conclusion, I am really wondering why the author chose to highlight football when the sport of hockey is much more violent and thus much more entertaining =]
I feel that we are not immune to the effects of violence in football........but we still all have sensitive hearts to the hard hits. I think the hard hits are what make football even more fun, so they shouldnt take the hard hits away. But if its for the safety of the players then i can understand. But if it was me, id want to keep the big hits because they are so much fun to watch!
I feel that we are not immune to the effects of violence in football........but we still all have sensitive hearts to the hard hits. I think the hard hits are what make football even more fun, so they shouldnt take the hard hits away. But if its for the safety of the players then i can understand. But if it was me, id want to keep the big hits because they are so much fun to watch!
Personally, I enjoy watching football and don't see anything wrong with the sport itself. I do believe that Americans have become immune to the violence that is seen, but it is also known by the fans and players initially that there is a chance of witnessing, or being a part of, injuries. Officials need to be more aware in acting on illegal plays and ones that might cause severe damage to the opponent. I do, though, agree with the statement that compared eating meat and watching football in the article. I find it true that viewers previously know about the damage this sport causes, just like we know what it takes to get meat on our plates, but they like to watch it so much that they brush that detail off their shoulders, as we continue to eat the meat because of the enjoyable taste. In all, there are positives and negatives about football, just like with anything else, but I still believe it should be played and watched.
D.J. Hicks
7th Period
Eventhough Football is a violent sport I dont beleive it has anything to do with violence off the field. Values are gained from playing Football such as being given the opportunity to hurt someone ,but deciding not to. Football is, if already not, becoming an important part of Americans culture.
I dont believe that football can be blamed for the violence that it leads to. The aim of a game of football is not to injure opposing players. Injuries may be a side effect of football but alot of work goes into minimizing the amount of injuries that come as a result of football. Football players understand the risks that they are taking when they start playing the game and are willing to take those risks in order to make money and entertain people. These risks are no worse than those of someone who joins the army and yet we dont condemn fighting wars when they are needed. I believe that as long as the purpose of football is not to injure opposing players it is not morally wrong to play it or watch it.
Michael Anderson
Period 2
Football injuries are not nessecarily more dangerous now than they were back then, we are just capable of seeing the results more clearly. If someone were to be hit they would walk of the feild, now a days if someone is hurt we can x-ray them and figure out if anything is broken. THe players knew what they were getting into and went along with it anyway. If they are ok with it then so am I. Football should not be disbaned because of injuries, it has, if not will become, a significant part of America.
Honestly, i dont think we are immune to violence, it is just a part of the game of football. If there was no contact then it would be soccer, and nobody watches soccer. It is part of the draw of football, and so i find nothing wrong with it.
Honestly, i dont think we are immune to violence, it is just a part of the game of football. If there was no contact then it would be soccer, and nobody watches soccer. It is part of the draw of football, and so i find nothing wrong with it.
Football is a sport. Most people don't watch football to see people get crushed, pummeled, or injured. They watch it for the excitement and rush of adrenaline as one individual breaks out from a line of obstacles to win a touchdown. Although accidents occur, anyone with human morals and understandings would not laugh or even smile giddily.
Nor are the players or coaches filled with bloodlust when they are planning out their offensive maneuvers. They understand the marginal costs and the benefits, and choose as they will. In fact, the injuries is one of the things that make football players make so much money. Not just anyone is willing to do it.
Although it is true that violence in movies and television shows have a negative impact on children, making some potential threats in the future, but it also makes them more cautious, understanding the possibility of danger in their lives. We can't live like naive children forever.
HA. Football isn't violent - it's a sport. Sports test one human's abilities against those of another, and it's natural for accidents occur. Football is an American made sport, and it would be just wrong to end it because of it's "violence." It defines America - we didn't become a country by just asking Britain and signing some papers, we kicked them out, and football is only a memorial to our style.
In any sport involving physical contact, especially football, injuries are inevitable. No matter how many rules and regulations are enacted, players are still taking a risk when they play such games. Players understand and accept these risks when they decide to play football. We, the audience, however, need to understand that the players know the risks they are taking when they play football. They chose football as a career because they enjoy the game and are willing to accept the chance of getting injured. I think our goal should not be to immunize ourselves from the violence we witness in football games, but rather, to acquire an understanding that the violence is an inevitable part of the game.
I believe that while football is an incredibly valid form of entertainment, there are certain safety precautions that should always be accounted for, especially when partaking in an activity so inherently dangerous. The glorification of violence in our society is apparent, but I disagree that this extends itself to football. Football is, and always has been, a contact sport, and with all contact sports, can come with long-term physical consequences. Many other professions (factory worker, construction, etc.) are also plagued by this, however, which demonstrates that the sport of football isn't a destructive activity, but rather a profession with a calculated risk.
Although football could be categorized as one the most violent sports on the planet people must encourage their kids and younger skilled players to join football so that the tradition keeps flowing. The excitement and thrill in people is evident in the voluminous attraction towards football season. The NFL shows a huge amount of entertainment to the viewers but at the instant when an injury comes across, people tend to lose support for the sport. All sports have some kind of injury risk hidden in it.
i think we should all watch football regardless the amount of risk it contains to the players' health and physical stability.
The violence in football is not that bad, it is true there are some who get seriously injured in playing football but it's a risk they take for doing so. I also believe that we are not fully immune to the effects of violence on TV to some extent, but what needs to be learned is to be less influenced by the violence and still being able to enjoy watching.
Though football is dangerous and violent sport. I believe that we should have support for the sport as brings in revenue for the economy and supports jobs for many Americans. To get rid of the sport would displace many American jobs
Football is a contact sport. Yes the players are hitting each other, but what has to be taken into consideration is that its a mindset thing. The positions these men play determines what they will do to the opposing team. Its not necessarily trying to purposely hurt them. Playes get hurt for many different reasons. I have played sports, and no one tries to hurt you on purpose. And with so many rules to the game, you have to really be careful on how you bring someone down. So in my opinion, yes I believe it is okay to watch football. Go Cowboys!
I know american football is part of every american life. i agree with joyce. football may seem like a team sports but it is a physical contact sport. this is a very violent game. i think when kids see football they may feel like hitting someone. also football is a very health hazard. concussions and i dont know what else. other than watching football i think america should turn into skill and team bassed sport like basketball, tennis,volleyball and all.
Personally i love watching football and i dont think football should be banned because of its violence. The sport is created to entertain the viewers with victious hits and every player in NFL knows the consequences of being a part of a football team. Yet, they still play because of their love for the game. Also it is a huge source of revenue and also a display of pure courage and bravery. Therefore it is a man's sport and it should never be banned
To me personaly football is not a violent sport what someone might see as violence I see as skill and technique...Even if you consider football violent violence is apart of human nature trying to suppress it would be like trying to supress our need to breath
We as a society have been desensitized to the notion that these players are getting injured and will suffer from last neurological injuries for the rest of their lives. While yes, football players may 'know the risks' going into playing the game, that doesn't make it any less unwise to something that could hurt you for the rest of your life. Injuries may be a side effect of football but alot of work goes into minimizing the amount of injuries that come as a result of football.
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