Steelers’ Shazier sustains a serious injury, yet the game goes on

Monday, I was excited to watch the Steelers for the first time in years. Yet after the first drive, my television was off.

I cannot support an industry that normalizes severe injuries. How has our culture progressed to allow a game to continue after a player loses his ability to function at normal capacity? It is appalling, and it is terrifying.

What does this say about our modern American morality? Many wonder how heartlessness in politics exists, how racism can persist, how recent sexual assault revelations could be true. Maybe it is time to cease disbelief and analyze the culture we perpetuate.

As the Steelers’ Ryan Shazier lay on the field Monday night, his injury’s severity became apparent. The tears welling in his coaches’ and teammates’ eyes projected their fear and understanding. Yet after a commercial break, “Crazy Train” blasted to restore the “hype” in the stadium, and the teams remounted the field. How could they bear to do that?

They, and the millions watching, put the pain and fear behind them. The game went on.

What keeps one player from saying, “That’s enough,” and walking off? This defiance could save his life, and those of his friends, fellow players and hundreds to come.

Yet it is us, our culture, our love for the tradition of the sport, that vehemently oppose him.

It should be acknowledged that culture and tradition exist to enhance and bring meaning to life. They have no purpose if there is no life to be had. CLAIRE DOUGHERTY

Mt. Lebanon