Editor:
I played football in eighth, ninth and 10th grades. It hurt. A lot. I suffered at least one concussion, probably several, not to mention the pounding of internal organs and the violent twisting of spine and limbs.
In coverage of HSU football’s demise (NCJ Daily, July 19), I have so far seen no mention of the proven and often severe harm caused by football, particularly cumulative brain injury. I see the local sadness, as if we’re losing an old friend, but sometimes it’s healthy to cut ties with old friends. I am concerned about the current upheaval for athletes who came here expecting to play and about the local loss of racial diversity that this will likely cause.
But there are many other sports in which young people can develop the important skills of teamwork and athleticism. It does not speak well of our nation that we are so enthralled by this brutal spectacle, the modern version of the gladiators. American football needs to die a natural death.
— Brian Julian, Blue Lake
This article appears in Taken Away.
Football is definitely a very dangerous sport. I have played the sport for nearly a decade and concussions are the biggest concern with it. The main issue is the fact that coaches are not putting in enough time on teaching correct tackling form. I am playing at football at the College of the Redwoods, and we barely tackle at practice because coaches are afraid about injuries. The problem with that is that when it comes to games, we are not fully prepared and may tackle incorrectly. Leading with the head is common because players feel invincible due to having a helmet, which is the main cause of concussions.
The beautiful thing about football is that it brings people together, this is important in a time of such diversity and opposition. It creates great bonds and teaches you great life lessons. Yes, there could be other alternatives but they don’t bring people together like football does. Look at NFL, college or even some high school stadiums, they get packed. Sometimes its better to watch this “gladiator sport” if it helps society come together.