Football was always a dangerous sport. As far as physical contact goes, there is no sport that has more of it. But as dangerous as football has always been, it is more dangerous now than ever before and not so much because the game itself has changed. It's more dangerous because the players who participate in the game have changed. Some would say for the better. But have they? We're not going to take a stand either way in this article but simply present both sides of the argument. We'll leave it to you to determine if football itself has become too dangerous to play.
Let's start with the theory that football has become too dangerous and then we can present opposing arguments. The main reason that critics claim that football has become too dangerous is that the players themselves have become way too big. Years ago, to have a man on a team who was 300 pounds was an amazing thing to see. Now, a 300 pound lineman is average. Men are constantly topping 325 and 350 with no sweat at all. When bigger bodies start falling on you and running into you, there is going to be a greater probability that you're going to get hurt, even with all the padding.
Football players are also faster than they were years ago. When a running back is carrying the football into the secondary and he gets run at by a charging linebacker at the speed of which these guys come at you, well, let's just say it's not the most pleasant feeling in the world. You can get more than just the wind knocked out of you.
Many would sat that the number of injuries today more than support this theory that football has become too dangerous. Many injuries, if not life threatening, come very close to it and in many cases have ended careers. Plus there is also the painful truth that many of these players, years after they retire, have aches and pains that stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Those who say that football has not become too dangerous and argue against the "bigger player" problem claim that these bigger players are in better condition than players of years ago and therefor can withstand more punishment. They say that it is because these men are in better condition that the game is not only not more dangerous, but may even be less dangerous than ever, especially with the advances and improvements made in the equipment that they wear. Faster players mean faster players at both ends of the field, thus making it easier for a running back to dodge that oncoming linebackers running tackle.
Again, it is not our intention to take either side. Certainly there are valid points to be made for each side. A football player's mother will probably feel the game is way too dangerous since she's worrying about her little boy getting his skull cracked. But for the casual or even big fan, this may not be something that they give much thought at all to. Football is what it is and they accept it.
We'll let you draw your own conclusions.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Football
Written By: Michael Russell
