'Football is a Great Game Until You Turn 45'

[Jacklou59]

That's a great story, rcade. With all the information coming out today, due to our ability to benefit from modern medical studies, it shows NFL players, especially those who played many years, take a significant number of years off their life due to the violence of the sport. I used to work for a newspaper and got to be on the sidelines for some NFL games, and as the story mentions, when you get up close to the size, strength, and speed of these guys, how they sound like a herd of horses going by, and witness the intensity of the contact, it really puts the game into perspective for the average fan. We can sit around and critique players for their effort, or what we consider lack of effort sometimes, or for not making a catch, hearing footsteps, or avoiding contact, but if we had to endure the physical pain they did, we probably wouldn't be so quick to criticize them. Having played many sports avidly over the years, I have a lot of pain in joints, etc., from those, but can't even begin to imagine what ex-NFL players go through after their careers. I realize many make very good money, and their career choice is their own decision, but money at the expense of your health and ultimately part of your life may not be worth it.

posted by dyams at 10:12 AM CST on January 21

'Football is a Great Game Until You Turn 45' | SportsFilter