Ban the NFL?
With new evidence that football causes brain injuries, Congress is asking tough questions
Is the NFL too dangerous to be legal?
(Icon SMI/Corbis/Jeff Moffett)
Football causes brain damage and dementia—that’s the uncomfortable conclusion of an increasing body of research. Former pro players in their 40s, household names not long ago, are getting lost in their own neighborhoods and contemplating suicide, symptoms more commonly seen in Alzheimer's patients in their 80s. At congressional hearings this week, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell fielded tough questions about the league’s future. Is it appropriate for politicians to discuss radically rewriting the rules of football—or even banning the sport—to protect player health? (Watch NFL commissioner Roger Goodell get grilled by members of the Judiciary Committee.)
Brain injuries? Who cares? Sure, players get concussions that can lead to dementia, “but I really don’t care,” says Dan Levy at The Washington Post, especially when players are still declining to wear helmets with anti-concussion protection. “[Taking risks] is part of the job description. It's just like I don't care when a court stenographer gets carpal tunnel syndrome.”
“Call me an NFL rubbernecker”
Dogfighting is banned—maybe football should be, too: There are disturbing similarities between the two spectacles, says Malcolm Gladwell in The New Yorker. Dogfighting, widely accepted in the 19th century, is objectionable because it necessarily ends in the “suffering and destruction” of the canine participants, solely “for the entertainment of an audience.” Given the horrific brain damage facing NFL players, is football really so different?
“Offensive play”
The NFL is being blinded by greed: The NFL is an $8 billion organization that has failed in its responsibility, says Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), quoted in The New York Times. “Players are always going to get injured. The only question [for the NFL] is, are you going to pay for it? I know that you dearly want to hold on to your profits. I think it’s the responsibility of Congress to look at your antitrust exemption and take it away.”
“Goodell defends NFL’s handling of head injuries”
The dangers are even worse in high school football: Pro football is a multibillion-dollar industry with lots of oversight, says Buzz Bissinger in The Daily Beast. The real horror is that at the youth level concussions are more likely to be dismissed as a mere headache. Parents have to stop implying that their sons and daughters “are weaklings if they complain."
"Football's bloodiest secret"
For The Week's in-depth briefing on "Football's Wounded Gladiators," click here.
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132 Comments
Posted by sam, Friday, October 30, 2009, 12:48 pm you people are all suffering from brain damage. why dont we ban police too. they are always getting hurt due to the job. yes I think we should band police first for thier own protection.
Posted by Scott, Friday, October 30, 2009, 1:08 pm Maybe we should ban Congress... why the hell does the government feel it's their responsibility to protect everyone... damn the politicians and these do gooder protection groups!!
Posted by Ken, Friday, October 30, 2009, 1:19 pm You'd think boxing and MMA fighting would have to get banned before football both are clearly more destructive, and football players take at least cursory measures to protect their heads and necks.
Posted by Bill A., Friday, October 30, 2009, 1:41 pm SERIOUSLY!? I'm not even a fan of the sport and I find this ridiculous. Maybe we should band EVERYTHING
Posted by dirtysanchez, Friday, October 30, 2009, 2:01 pm Good old government here to save the day. Not only do they want to control healthcare, automotive industry, banks, energy production now they want to get involved in professional sports. I am sick of the far left trying to control every aspect of our life. Congress needs to shut up and do their job which has nothing to do with protecting everyone from themselves and the decisions they choose to make. Last I heard Congress is supposed to represent the beliefs and values of their constituants which they do not do.
Posted by Jared W, Friday, October 30, 2009, 2:08 pm Unbelievable. No one is forced to play the game of football. It is a choice. People know the risks and decide on their own. If people can make their own choice in this country whether to have a child or not, I think it's reasonable that grown men can decide if they want to risk injury or not.
Posted by Howard E., Friday, October 30, 2009, 2:42 pm Congress to ban football...Why not they get no money from the NFL so its an easy target..Wanna ban something that really hurts people start with tobacco and alcohol..Oh wait...too much lobby money to touch those sacred cows so stick with football.
Posted by gimpPAC, Friday, October 30, 2009, 3:24 pm Is it really possible that they would ban football? Please. I really doubt it. Instead of focusing the headline on this obviously inflammatory topic, why don't you instead talk about the steps the NFL can and probably should take to further protect their players? I think protecting high school athletes should be of more concern than forcing regulation on the pros they at least are adults who have clearly chosen this path.
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