Comments on: The Sports Guy And Gladwell Take On The Writers Room

By: Sabertooth

Sabertooth — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 12:24:40 +0000

I dont think the whole concussion 'crisis' will do much to affect sports. new helmets will be developed, more precautions will be taken, new medical advances will help to treat concussions, and rules will be changed. the fact of the matter is is that we all love violent sports. even at a young age, kids seek out violent sports- maybe its a way of expressing ourselves or maybe we just want to push our bodies as far as possible before they break- who knows? there's something to be admired for the person who can be most violent- we see it all the time in hollywood and on the field. watch Russel Crowe in Gladiator or Ray Lewis on sundays and both beg the question: "Are you not entertained?" lets face it, we all want to see the biggest hits where a running back, middie, or even an umpire gets so lit up that his body twists sideways and he topples head over heals a few times. we glorify the big hits and the people who can deliver them, but when the hitee lays on the turf without any sign of movement, maybe paralyzed for life, suddenly we all get a conscience. its a double standard that no one wants to admit to because, well, we love violent sports- both spectating and playing. concussions and other injuries are just the consequences that must be dealt with and i dont see anybody suddenly quitting a sport because they are afraid of a big hit.

But the Simmon's angle is that parents might force their kids into lacrosse rather than football because they believe lacrosse is less dangerous. First of all, I dont think lacrosse is that much safer (there must be some studies out there that we can compare with...LAS get on it). Second of all, I think football is so entrenched in American sports that most parents are willing to turn a blind eye to its violent behavior. I would think that most dads who grew up tossing around the pigskin would rather see their kids follow in their footsteps and 'continue the legacy' if you will rather than start a new sport that they know nothing about. Concussions are just another part of violent sports, and i think unless they really start escalating out of control in severity and number, then they will continue to be an acceptable consequence in the minds of most spectators and players

By: Striding Man

Striding Man — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 04:20:17 +0000

Speaking of… they'll be discussing the issue of concussions at the USL Convention this weekend: http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/high-school/…

By: Andlax9

Andlax9 — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 01:23:52 +0000

I think the big issue in lacrosse will not be initial concussions, but double concussions, where there is a very minor concussion, but then the player goes back out on the field and gets hit again.

By: TheCreole

TheCreole — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:12:58 +0000

"And if this is the case, just put a bullet in my head. I’m begging you."

That stung a little. Especially for those of us who are working desperately hard to spread that sport that we all love.

That being said, concussions are pretty big deal here in the South. And while I'm hoping to describe this in more detail in a future Cajun's Corner, I will say my attention to big hits has increased now that I'm in a position of liability. Having played lacrosse for a couple weeks on Long Island, I can tell you from experience, we play a different style of lax down here. Put it this way - down here, the ball stays on the ground more than in the air. Most kids down here want to go for the hit that calls in the helicopter (how or why to be discussed later)...