San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
Bringing to light darkest part of game
Sez Me … Football is a drug, and I’m a junkie. I love it.
But I love my family infinitely more, so, in a way, you can call me a hypocrite. Because I also hate football.
I despise its dark side, its greed, the lies, the holier-thanthou arrogance, the callousness and meat-market attitude among so many of its lords — and the horrible things that could happen to these magnificent athletes.
The NFL especially, although the colleges are catching up.
I have three sons, and I refused to allow them to play tackle football. Many parents give their blessing, but as mothers and fathers, that’s their decision. I’m not saying they’re wrong. For the time being, we remain a nation of choice.
If one of my sons were Tom Brady, he wouldn’t have played the game until he was legally of age to make up his mind to do so.
That doesn’t make me a hero, better or smarter than anyone. I’ve seen hundreds of football games, at every level. I just believe the sport is too dangerous for young bodies.
As it is for older ones, but they are of the age to make decisions that frame their lives. It is the business they’ve chosen.
We saw the worst example Monday night, during the Buffalo-cincinnati game, when, after what appeared to be an innocuous tackle, Bills safety Damar Hamlin rose to his feet and then collapsed.
It was a scene unlike any of us have witnessed. With players from both teams surrounding him, many in tears, an ambulance came onto the field and CPR was administered to Hamlin, whose heart had stopped. His pulse was restored, and Hamlin was taken to the hospital in critical condition, not breathing on his own.
Hamlin had become an accidental Pied Piper, and millions of prayers by concerned followers were answered Friday morning, when his breathing tube was removed and he talked to his teammates via Facetime. There won’t be better news in the games people play this year.
What caused it? Would it have happened if the DB hadn’t been involved in that tackle of Tee Higgins? If he were sitting at home? Taking a stroll?
We may never know. Hopefully we will. Many athletes have had known heart conditions and continued to play. Dan Fouts was one.
More tragic, but not on national TV, a Las Vegas high school girl, 16-year-old Ashari Hughes, collapsed and died Thursday during a flag football game.
America also should be wearing her number.
What bothers me was how the Unsocial Media idiots complained about everything from ESPN’S handling of the situation, to the show not going on, to Bengals QB Joe Burrow “callously” warming up on the sidelines when the network reported (from a mysterious source) the game would resume in five minutes, to Higgins being responsible.
(Of course, once good news emerged from the hospital, the nitwits quickly flipped to the owners’ decision on a playoff schedule.)
ESPN did about as well as it could under the circumstances. Nothing was being said. In the news business, speculation and assuming is crap. I thought Ryan Clark and Booger Mcfarland were excellent, which is nothing new.
The League has made the game a no-contest, which is right. Football remains a go.
The NFL has gone over the side trying to make its game as safe as possible. Many players died during football’s early years. There were no rules, and when Teddy Roosevelt’s son (Gen. Teddy Jr., who lived just long enough to be awarded the Medal of Honor for his exploits on D-day’s Utah Beach) had his face stomped playing for Harvard, even the rough-riding president (also a Medal of Honor recipient) vainly called for football to be abolished.
If anything eventually brings down the Nfl/football, it will be health/brain issues. It’s the only thing, and that, to me, is remote. Too much damn money. Among the 100 most watched TV programs of 2022, 82 involved football.
Meanwhile, thanks must go to the heroes on the Bills’ medical staff (assistant trainer Denny Kellington performed CPR), and Cincinnati doctors who saved Hamlin’s life.
It is the darkest part of a game that I love. A game that I hate. …
It’s possible the AFC championship game will be played on a neutral site. May I suggest Qualcomm Stadium? Can’t get more neutral. …
The League should permanently eliminate the playoff bye. …
If NFL clubs purposely bench players to keep them playoff-healthy — which The NFL Team That Used To Be Here may do today — it’s right for said franchise to return shared 60-40 ticket money. Right? But, if you’re waiting in line, pack heavily, bring a tent, sleeping bag, vittles/sustenance for life and order a porta potty. …
Davante Adams plans on a return to Vegas. Guess he’s past the stage of wanting to catch passes for a living. …
Actually admitted by ESPN, the Cowboys’ proud parents: Dallas, America’s Team, the greatest franchise ever in any sport, last won a road playoff game on Jan. 17, 1993. …
In fact, the Boys have won four of 14 postseason games played anywhere since 1996. Again, to quote Rick Smith: “Ahhh, that’s great, isn’t it?” …
USC’S defense, The Blundering Herd, allowed 1,983 yards over its final four games. Worst thing that’s happened to the Trojans since they didn’t look a gift horse in the mouth. …
Fernando Tatis Jr.’s Dominican motorcycle sponsor has given him the OK to practice baseball again. …
The NCAA Basketball Tournament should not expand to 90 teams. Too many pews, not enough prayers. …
With so many NBA players putting up big numbers, some hoop experts are wondering if scoring is becoming too easy. Of course. Defense is hard — harder if you don’t want to play it. …
I am so tired of Mattress Mack I could go to the mattresses and sleep right now on one of his products. A total non-story. …
It didn’t take long for my single New Year’s Resolution — that San Diego will continue to lead the nation in high energy costs — to be fulfilled. Thank you, SDG&E, for your magnanimous treatment of our populace, especially the shut-ins, those on fixed income — and your shareholders. …
Why is chicken readily available and eggs are not? At last, we know which came first. …
Saw this the other day: “How is it the cavemen survived the asteroid and the dinosaurs didn’t?” Easy answer. Opposable thumbs. …
RIP, Nate Colbert, the greatest early Padre, who hit baseballs over high walls. On Aug. 1, 1972, in a doubleheader at Atlanta, he set MLB records with five homers, 13 RBIS, and 22 total bases. …
Did you see El Indio get a shoutout on “Jeopardy” the other night? For inventing the taquito. We used to get eight for 80 cents. …
Jim Harbaugh is going to walk — out of the NCAA’S atrophied enforcement arm and into the NFL. …
Harbaugh’s temperature remains feverish for a coach who’s never won anything that involves a ring. …
The seriocomic vote for speaker of the house is sure to be banned from future Florida civics and political science textbooks. …
I am a Speaker, I have a House — and I had enough votes.
sezme.godfather@gmail.com Twitter: @sdutcanepa