NFL kicks off tonight. Really!
Cardinals vs. Cowboys in Hall of Fame game at 5 p.m.
The Cardinals are getting ready to face the Cowboys in the NFL’s first preseason game, but I couldn’t be less excited for it. But that’s got nothing to do with the sport and everything to do with the league that administers it. Commissioner Roger Goodell has downplayed a damaging CTE study. Franchises have held fans hostage for money. And I believe team owners are suppressing free speech by keeping Colin Kaepernick off the field.
As I write this I feel conflicted. I love football and have been devoted to the sport from the first time my old man tossed a Nerf ball my way. But at this point, it’s clear the NFL doesn’t reflect my values, and I can’t ignore it.
This disconnect has led to apathy, and I’m looking forward to this season the way I’d look forward to a day in court. I wonder if others are feeling the same?
Cardinals offensive tackle Jared Veldheer skipped practice last week after research emerged showing 110 of 111 former NFL players were found to have the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
CTE has been linked to depression, memory loss and dementia. It’s been found in players who committed suicide, such as Junior Seau and Dave Duerson. Those who died young, including Mike Webster. And those who suffered for years from symptoms, from Frank Gifford to Kenny Stabler.
The NFL responded to the study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, stating: “The medical and scientific communities will benefit from this publication and the NFL will continue to work with a wide range of experts to improve the health of current and former athletes. As noted by the authors, there are still many unanswered questions relating to the cause, incidence and prevalence of long-term effects of head trauma such as CTE.”
Goodell doubled down this week, after Jets rookie Jamal Adams said, “If I had a perfect place to die, I would die on the field.”
“I think the one thing everyone agrees on is there’s an awful lot more
questions than there are answers at this point,” Goodell said of CTE.
It’s not in dispute that researchers have indicated a desire for more study, but it would have been far more powerful for Goodell to acknowledge the connection between his sport and this neurodegenerative disease is likely to be far deeper than previously suspected.
Following the study, Ravens tackle John Urschel, perhaps the smartest man ever to play in the NFL, retired. He’s going to focus on his doctorate in applied mathematics from MIT.
Veldheer said the study factored in his unscheduled day off. “I just kind of needed a second to regroup and reflect,” he said.
Fans in Oakland and San Diego will have all the time they need to regroup and reflect.
This offseason the Raiders announced an upcoming move to Las Vegas, and the Chargers completed their relocation to Los Angeles.
The Raiders will soon be playing in a nearly $2 billion stadium, financed with about $750 million in public funding.
And the Chargers decided to head north after San Diego voters overwhelmingly rejected a public financing plan.
I fundamentally disagree with public financing for privately owned stadiums.
It’s the right of team owners to offset construction costs with taxpayer money, and further it’s a smart business move.
But taxpayer dollars would be better spent on schools, roads or any of a million other issues. Team owners have access to loans and private financing, and they shouldn’t ask for or receive public handouts.
It would be nice to see teams accept more responsibility for the communities that built them.
Kaepernick tried to take on such an obligation, but now he’s out of a job.
His decision to kneel during the national anthem last year wasn’t rooted in a desire to disrespect the flag or the U.S. He was using his platform to point out something he saw as a problem: heavy-handed police tactics in black communities that resulted in deaths and led to massive protests across the nation.
He reached the decision to kneel rather than sit after consulting with a military veteran.
Kaepernick had a decent season last year and has had plenty of success as a starting quarterback. Still, he’s getting passed over for less accomplished players.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Kaepernick is good enough to be a starter, but then the team didn’t sign him as a backup.
And a report Wednesday suggests Ravens coach John Harbaugh and General Manager Ozzie Newsome want to sign Kaepernick but are being blocked by owner Steve Biscotti. The Ravens deny that.
But Kaepernick remains unsigned. It’s creating an environment where it’s more difficult for players to express themselves publicly on social issues.
Again, this is a problem, and sets up a future where owners pick and choose which issues and causes their players can support.
Sports are supposed to be a meritocracy and a place where society can safely work through differences.
But then again, maybe this is about merit?
Kaepernick clearly isn’t good enough to play … if he’s going to say or do something considered unpopular.
He’s in violation of what my grandfather taught me was the real Golden Rule: He who has the gold makes the rules.
We’ll see if those who have the gold give Kaepernick, a worthy applicant, a shot at employment.
We’ll also see whether my passion for the NFL returns. Reach Moore at gmoore@azcentral.com or 602-444-2236.