There's been a lot of talk in recent months about the violent and hurtful nature of the sport of football.
Concussions have stolen the limelight, but one has only to see the condition of middle-aged retirees in order to assess the essential nature of this game. Great retired stars walk like very old men on knees which have been operated on more than a dozen times. Back bones and discs, hips and necks have all been permanently and painfully damaged. Cognitive difficulties are common and addictions to pain killers are pervasive.
Very large men, exceeding 300 pounds, are now charging at full speed at ankles, knees and hips, which require very little pressure to be forced out of joint. Heads are smashing into heads, knocking brains into temporary states of unconsciousness.
On Nov. 17, The Maui News published the NFL's weekly injury report. Twenty-five teams reported 258 injuries. Is this really a sport? Or is it mayhem? Fans seem to enjoy bone-crunching tackles and bloodied faces. They become quiet only when the stretchers are brought onto the field. Or when the replay shown throughout the stadium shows a sickening, unnatural twist of a joint or break of a bone.
Of course, athletes have died on the field.
No child should be given parental approval to play football. To do so is a form of child abuse. If you doubt me, ask your heart.
Raphael O'Suna
Haiku
