The National Football League (N.F.L.) is widely recognized as one of the most physically
demanding sports leagues in the world. With its reputation for hard-hitting action and intense
collisions, it is no surprise that everybody involved with the N.F.L., from players to coaches and fans, understands and acknowledges that it’s a violent game.
Football is inherently physical and violent. Tackling, blocking, and high-speed collisions
are integral parts of gameplay, exposing players to significant injury risks. The Boston University CTE Center announced in February that they have diagnosed 345 of the 376 former NFL players they studied with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). That’s a staggering 91.7 percent. CTE is a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head trauma. Recently, the NFL reached a $900 million settlement with over 5,000 retired players who suffered concussions during their professional careers.
While player safety measures have improved over time with concussion protocols and
rule changes that aim to reduce head injuries, playing in a violent sport like football takes a toll on players’ mental and physical well-being. Post-concussion syndrome has been identified as one potential consequence of repeated head trauma. According to the Mayo Clinic, post-concussion syndrome occurs when symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury last longer than expected. These symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, and problems with concentration and memory. They can last weeks to months.
The acceptance and even celebration of violence within football culture can be attributed to several factors. Society’s expectation of aggression on the field, media portrayal of intense
gameplay as engaging entertainment, and fans’ attitudes towards hard-hitting action all contribute to the thrill.
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/25/sports/football/luke-kuechly-retired-football-concussions.html
https://dnyuz.com/2023/06/25/everybody-in-the-n-f-l-understands-that-its-a-violent-game/
demanding sports leagues in the world. With its reputation for hard-hitting action and intense
collisions, it is no surprise that everybody involved with the N.F.L., from players to coaches and fans, understands and acknowledges that it’s a violent game.
Football is inherently physical and violent. Tackling, blocking, and high-speed collisions
are integral parts of gameplay, exposing players to significant injury risks. The Boston University CTE Center announced in February that they have diagnosed 345 of the 376 former NFL players they studied with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). That’s a staggering 91.7 percent. CTE is a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head trauma. Recently, the NFL reached a $900 million settlement with over 5,000 retired players who suffered concussions during their professional careers.
While player safety measures have improved over time with concussion protocols and
rule changes that aim to reduce head injuries, playing in a violent sport like football takes a toll on players’ mental and physical well-being. Post-concussion syndrome has been identified as one potential consequence of repeated head trauma. According to the Mayo Clinic, post-concussion syndrome occurs when symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury last longer than expected. These symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, and problems with concentration and memory. They can last weeks to months.
The acceptance and even celebration of violence within football culture can be attributed to several factors. Society’s expectation of aggression on the field, media portrayal of intense
gameplay as engaging entertainment, and fans’ attitudes towards hard-hitting action all contribute to the thrill.
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/25/sports/football/luke-kuechly-retired-football-concussions.html
https://dnyuz.com/2023/06/25/everybody-in-the-n-f-l-understands-that-its-a-violent-game/
