'The death of the NFL'
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'The death of the NFL'
In 1966, Time magazine shocked the world going into Easter season by asking the world, "Is God Dead?" Now as America approaches another holiday season, the Buffalo wings hung by the chimney with care, some dare ask the sacrilegious question: "Is the NFL dead?"
“Thirty years from now,” he said, “I don’t think it will be in existence. I could be wrong. It’s just my opinion, but I think with the direction things are going — where they [NFL rules makers] want to lighten up, and they’re throwing flags and everything else — there’s going to come a point where fans are going to get fed up with it.
“Guys are getting fined, and they’re talking about, ‘Let’s take away the strike zone’ and ‘Take the pads off’ or ‘Take the helmets off.’ It’s going to be a thing where fans aren’t going to want to watch it anymore.”
That wasn't President Obama talking. That was Super Bowl-bound safety Bernard Pollard, wondering how the sport -- increasingly linked to concussions that in turn are linked to chronic headaches, dementia, depression and even suicide -- can make itself less violent without losing its appeal to fans. As the linked article notes, the real threat to the future of pro football is parents who won't let their kids take up the sport, now that more is known about the long-term risks. I don't know if that kills football, but it could auger a long period of decline -- not unlike boxing, which survives...but lacks the thrill of its early-to-mid 20th Century heyday.
It's strange to watch what's happening to American sports these days. On one hand, the public craves the excitement and escape of sports more than any time in our history -- check out the NFL's TV ratings if you have any doubt. At the same time, the pressure to win is destroying the actual athletes, on the inside (Lance Armstrong, or check out the latest on Alex Rodriguez) and on the outside (the late Junior Seau.)
Something has got to give.
Nobody is forcing these players to play.— flyers2thecup- I believe the word is spelled "sacrilegious," not "sacreligious." I understand, it's a blog, and it's not held to the usual standards of journalism. Believe me, I've read this manure-fest of a column to know that it doesn't meet the usual standards of journalism.— J H
- take the money and run— stayoutofphilly
- So jh, why do you keep reading this column then? Besides, this is a column, not a news story. Amazing how many people do not know the difference.— mike l
- Why do I keep an eye on this vomit? For the same reason Bunch complains about other news outlets -- somebody has to call him on his b.s., and I think Bunch is tough enough to allow some dissenting voices. By the way, my original comment acknowledged that it's a column/blog, but if you've ever read Bunch's news stories, it seems he's the one who doesn't know the difference. (Further: the post has corrected its misspelling of "sacrilegious.") — J H
- Bunch thrives on would-be 'crusaders' like you J H. The free market at work.
- Love the Chuck pick over the knocked out Gifford and that wasn't even a helmet hit. Chuck didn't even realize he had knocked him out. And Gifford was never the same player after that. I mean, he even married Kathy Lee.— mike l
- After watching 60 min. Sunday, how can anyone denigrate Fox???— philly2flag
- Money is what the NFL is all about. In another 10-20 years, the NFL will have to move all of its teams offshore to the highest bidder if it wants to remain viable. The average American will not be able to afford going to the games, and this is not just the NFL. The average American will have to stand in line at the government controlled liquor store for their weekly allotment of vodka.— FletcherT
- I love this picture.— wokmaster
- Does it matter? Eagles arent winning any super bowls anytime soon!— The Fundamentals of the Economy are Fine
- Who cares? Show Biz.— carl and sons
- Back in the 60's we used to smoke Camels by the carton, our kids played with plastic bags, and there were no seat belts, kids climbed all over the car. A well balanced meal was a big greasy hamburger with a huge piece of cheesecake washed down with a gallon of coke and Jack Daniels. Who would have thought all that stuff is harmful? Life changes and so too the NFL. I do not think rules for helmet to helmet contact are hurting the game. It is becoming more a passing game then it used to be, but that is exciting. Life changes.— Larry Byrd
- When one door closes, another door opens. And it's right under your nose!
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/pattisonave/Forget-Lingerie-Football-weve-got-Bikini-Basketball.html
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