[Wildcat18]

"Takes away from the sport"... Really - so in order for "the sport" to be all it can be we need teenagers fully empowered to launch head fist into other teenagers causing costly and at times permanent damage to their bodies forever? But since some of them serve the community well from a wheelchair - its ok. Not from where I sit.

"The sport" exists as an extracurricular activity on the backs of taxpayers at public schools. What "takes away from the sport" is the view that it is only valuable so long as the players are free to injure (often times permanently) each other so fans can have the full enjoyment of the game. I don't need kids legally entitled to injure or kill each other with only a 15 yard penalty as a deterrent. It is easy to attack my stance as "you arent' tough enough for football go play golf". And that mindset will help bring football to an end in high school. Since golf is a fall sport, I'm sure they will be delighted. The get tough argument just does not hold water. If people want to see the greatest team sport survive they will accept it in a different form.

I understand what you're saying. I'm just saying that players and families know what they're getting into when they decide to put the pads on. Basketball players collapse on the court, baseball players get hit in the head by pitches, race-car drivers crash, and football players get concussions. It's not about purposely injuring someone on the football field. It's about laying a hit that leaves the crowd in awe. Big hits are what makes the game fun, playing and spectating. Accidents happen in all sports, but if you don't want to get hit, play a no-contact sport.