I thought this was a really interesting read. I was unaware of just how much flag football is growing, but I've been aware of many of the issues discussed for a while. The demographic breakdown...
I thought this was a really interesting read. I was unaware of just how much flag football is growing, but I've been aware of many of the issues discussed for a while. The demographic breakdown was interesting, as is the political aspect, but I think ultimately the safety of kids is huge.
I feel weird about how big of a deal college football is, working in higher ed, and we're not even that kind of football school. I feel weird about how many young kids are still playing tackle football. I don't know, I think it's interesting to ponder whether this could actually lead to the "end" of tackle football or not.
Thanks for the gift link. I edited the submitted link to that one, but if you would prefer it just remain in the comments, let me know and I can reverse it.
Thanks for the gift link. I edited the submitted link to that one, but if you would prefer it just remain in the comments, let me know and I can reverse it.
That was a good read. I've been pretty uncomfortable with tackle football for a while and I'm glad to see that flag football is gaining ground. It's hard to say if flag will ever take over...
That was a good read. I've been pretty uncomfortable with tackle football for a while and I'm glad to see that flag football is gaining ground. It's hard to say if flag will ever take over collegiate or professional football, but at least the sport is becoming safer for kids and for recreation.
I know not many would agree with me, but I'd like to see collegiate and professional football go this way, even if the game becomes less exciting to watch. It's just barbaric in its current state, given how big, strong, and fast players have gotten. If I had athlete kids, I'd be steering them towards basketball, baseball, volleyball, golf, really anything except tackle football.
I'm not really a football fan myself, but any sport where a pretty large % of its players are suffering permanent brain damage before they even hit 30 seems like a huge red flag to me. You always...
I'm not really a football fan myself, but any sport where a pretty large % of its players are suffering permanent brain damage before they even hit 30 seems like a huge red flag to me. You always hear about these pro football stars going off and beating their wives or murdering people too, it makes you wonder how much of that is just their brain pan being rattled one too many times.
That and suicide are both concerns. Though I am not aware of the domestic violence rate explicitly, TBI/CTE can absolutely cause behavioral changes along those lines. I believe rates of both are...
That and suicide are both concerns. Though I am not aware of the domestic violence rate explicitly, TBI/CTE can absolutely cause behavioral changes along those lines. I believe rates of both are elevated.
I think the article's point is actually a lot more people would agree with you than you'd think, depending on your locale. Also poor soccer for being ignored (has its own issues but at least the...
I think the article's point is actually a lot more people would agree with you than you'd think, depending on your locale.
Also poor soccer for being ignored (has its own issues but at least the rules try to prevent contact). Lacrosse is also increasingly popular (finally made it to the Midwest), and I know very little about it except that hitting people in the wrists with the stick is both banned and all they do if the one game I watched was an indicator
The article for sure shows that for kids, flag football is going to be the way. It talked a little bit about collegiate and professional ball, but that's the part where I don't know if many would...
The article for sure shows that for kids, flag football is going to be the way. It talked a little bit about collegiate and professional ball, but that's the part where I don't know if many would agree. Out of the millions of NFL fans, how many wouldn't laugh at me if I suggested it? I do think it's irresponsible for us as a society to allow sports like gridiron football. While all the people playing college and professional ball are adults making their own choices, I think it's fair to say that many of them truly don't know the consequences or need to take that risk to have a chance to exit poverty, which the article did talk about a bit. It just seems like a lot of people don't actually choose to play football, it's just something they do because they're supposed to, and it can fuck them up for life.
I work with college students and they're legally adults, yes, but it's surprising (at first) how many of them don't read a lease before signing it, much less understand it if they do. We know...
I work with college students and they're legally adults, yes, but it's surprising (at first) how many of them don't read a lease before signing it, much less understand it if they do. We know brains don't fully develop til age 25, should that be the minimum age for gridiron? IDK.
I suspect the NFL is more likely to face an ongoing decline in popularity and cultural relevance. Perhaps unfortunately like baseball has over the years. And I'm not sure that, say, hockey is much better from a safety standpoint so I'm not sure what could actually fill the gap.
I sit uncomfortably with athletics and higher education and feel like we've lost the plot on the whole thing. But that's a larger story.
I'm a soccer fan! Women's soccer mostly so I have plenty to watch, but professional basketball isn't very interesting to me (and I don't have cable anyway)
I'm a soccer fan! Women's soccer mostly so I have plenty to watch, but professional basketball isn't very interesting to me (and I don't have cable anyway)
I thought this was a really interesting read. I was unaware of just how much flag football is growing, but I've been aware of many of the issues discussed for a while. The demographic breakdown was interesting, as is the political aspect, but I think ultimately the safety of kids is huge.
I feel weird about how big of a deal college football is, working in higher ed, and we're not even that kind of football school. I feel weird about how many young kids are still playing tackle football. I don't know, I think it's interesting to ponder whether this could actually lead to the "end" of tackle football or not.
Edit: Gift Link https://wapo.st/3GQhcmx
Thanks for the gift link. I edited the submitted link to that one, but if you would prefer it just remain in the comments, let me know and I can reverse it.
Eh, tis fine, but if you want to use the shortened version for aesthetics that's fine too. No worries either way
That was a good read. I've been pretty uncomfortable with tackle football for a while and I'm glad to see that flag football is gaining ground. It's hard to say if flag will ever take over collegiate or professional football, but at least the sport is becoming safer for kids and for recreation.
I know not many would agree with me, but I'd like to see collegiate and professional football go this way, even if the game becomes less exciting to watch. It's just barbaric in its current state, given how big, strong, and fast players have gotten. If I had athlete kids, I'd be steering them towards basketball, baseball, volleyball, golf, really anything except tackle football.
I'm not really a football fan myself, but any sport where a pretty large % of its players are suffering permanent brain damage before they even hit 30 seems like a huge red flag to me. You always hear about these pro football stars going off and beating their wives or murdering people too, it makes you wonder how much of that is just their brain pan being rattled one too many times.
That and suicide are both concerns. Though I am not aware of the domestic violence rate explicitly, TBI/CTE can absolutely cause behavioral changes along those lines. I believe rates of both are elevated.
I think the article's point is actually a lot more people would agree with you than you'd think, depending on your locale.
Also poor soccer for being ignored (has its own issues but at least the rules try to prevent contact). Lacrosse is also increasingly popular (finally made it to the Midwest), and I know very little about it except that hitting people in the wrists with the stick is both banned and all they do if the one game I watched was an indicator
The article for sure shows that for kids, flag football is going to be the way. It talked a little bit about collegiate and professional ball, but that's the part where I don't know if many would agree. Out of the millions of NFL fans, how many wouldn't laugh at me if I suggested it? I do think it's irresponsible for us as a society to allow sports like gridiron football. While all the people playing college and professional ball are adults making their own choices, I think it's fair to say that many of them truly don't know the consequences or need to take that risk to have a chance to exit poverty, which the article did talk about a bit. It just seems like a lot of people don't actually choose to play football, it's just something they do because they're supposed to, and it can fuck them up for life.
I work with college students and they're legally adults, yes, but it's surprising (at first) how many of them don't read a lease before signing it, much less understand it if they do. We know brains don't fully develop til age 25, should that be the minimum age for gridiron? IDK.
I suspect the NFL is more likely to face an ongoing decline in popularity and cultural relevance. Perhaps unfortunately like baseball has over the years. And I'm not sure that, say, hockey is much better from a safety standpoint so I'm not sure what could actually fill the gap.
I sit uncomfortably with athletics and higher education and feel like we've lost the plot on the whole thing. But that's a larger story.
Join me in being obsessed with basketball. It's exciting and a lot safer!
I'm a soccer fan! Women's soccer mostly so I have plenty to watch, but professional basketball isn't very interesting to me (and I don't have cable anyway)