Do any of us feel ambivalent, "torn," or "guilty" at the fact that we are fans of a sport that now known to be such that at least a quarter of those playing it who go on to play in the NFL and who died between 2016 and 2021 had CTE (according to the study cited in the front-page article in yesterday's NYT)? I am trying to decide what this shocking finding should mean for the fact that I still follow Stanford football. Perhaps my fandom should come to a screeching halt. To hold that continuing to follow college and pro football, including its recruiting of young people, violent training, and brutal game practices, is ethically responsible would seem to hinge critically on the consent of young people and their parents being truly informed and voluntary, even though U.S. culture and the money involved give an enormous boost in the direction of giving consent.
football fandom and CTE incidence
Do any of us feel ambivalent, "torn," or "guilty" at the fact that we are fans of a sport that now known to be such that at least a quarter of those playing it who go on to play in the NFL and who died between 2016 and 2021 had CTE (according to the study cited in the front-page article in yesterday's NYT)? I am trying to decide what this shocking finding should mean for the fact that I still follow Stanford football. Perhaps my fandom should come to a screeching halt. To hold that continuing to follow college and pro football, including its recruiting of young people, violent training, and brutal game practices, is ethically responsible would seem to hinge critically on the consent of young people and their parents being truly informed and voluntary, even though U.S. culture and the money involved give an enormous boost in the direction of giving consent.
08-27-2026, 01:43 PM
To each their own, but I wish there was a real faction advocating for 1.) shortened seasons 2.) drastic rule changes.
Instead, fans walk away or turn a blind eye.
I love the sport, but I would still like it very much if there were only 10 games. And, while this opinion is rare, I believe aspects of the sport like run-after-catch, inside runs and use of the helmet in blocking can potentially be eliminated while perhaps still maintaining the essence of the game.
Instead, fans walk away or turn a blind eye.
I love the sport, but I would still like it very much if there were only 10 games. And, while this opinion is rare, I believe aspects of the sport like run-after-catch, inside runs and use of the helmet in blocking can potentially be eliminated while perhaps still maintaining the essence of the game.
To each their own, but I wish there was a real faction advocating for 1.) shortened seasons 2.) drastic rule changes.
Instead, fans walk away or turn a blind eye.
I love the sport, but I would still like it very much if there were only 10 games. And, while this opinion is rare, I believe aspects of the sport like run-after-catch, inside runs and use of the helmet in blocking can potentially be eliminated while perhaps still maintaining the essence of the game.
Instead, fans walk away or turn a blind eye.
I love the sport, but I would still like it very much if there were only 10 games. And, while this opinion is rare, I believe aspects of the sport like run-after-catch, inside runs and use of the helmet in blocking can potentially be eliminated while perhaps still maintaining the essence of the game.
Stanford had a chance (IMO) to be a leader and to drop football rather than sign onto the already-bad deal with the ACC. There was already evidence of the CTE issues at the time. Here's a post from 3 years ago during the discussion of what to do about the implosion of the PAC-12..
Yes, there is something visceral about head-to-head combat on a football field and many of the public would miss that. But the game of football has evolved over the years, trying to become safer. In the meantime, we are beefing up and speeding up the players, causing hits delivered with more momentum. Despite all the changes in helmet design and rules, we have not figured out a way to cushion the human brain inside its skull to take the acceleration due to impact.
A Penn State web page indicates
As I understand it, that means the 3-pound brain suddenly impacts the skull as though it is 300-pounds (100-g impact). Take the full weight of "Refrigerator" William Perry on about 8 square inches of the opposite side of the skull..
(08-03-2023, 08:23 AM)M T Wrote: Or maybe it is time to own up to CTE and start down the road of academics without football.
Yes, there is something visceral about head-to-head combat on a football field and many of the public would miss that. But the game of football has evolved over the years, trying to become safer. In the meantime, we are beefing up and speeding up the players, causing hits delivered with more momentum. Despite all the changes in helmet design and rules, we have not figured out a way to cushion the human brain inside its skull to take the acceleration due to impact.
A Penn State web page indicates
Quote:Stefan Duma, director of the university’s Center for Injury Biomechanics, states, “We see 100-g impacts all the time, and several over 150 g’s.”as measured by sensors in helmets at Virginia Tech.
As I understand it, that means the 3-pound brain suddenly impacts the skull as though it is 300-pounds (100-g impact). Take the full weight of "Refrigerator" William Perry on about 8 square inches of the opposite side of the skull..
Stanford had a chance (IMO) to be a leader and to drop football rather than sign onto the already-bad deal with the ACC. There was already evidence of the CTE issues at the time. Here's a post from 3 years ago during the discussion of what to do about the implosion of the PAC-12..
Yes, there is something visceral about head-to-head combat on a football field and many of the public would miss that. But the game of football has evolved over the years, trying to become safer. In the meantime, we are beefing up and speeding up the players, causing hits delivered with more momentum. Despite all the changes in helmet design and rules, we have not figured out a way to cushion the human brain inside its skull to take the acceleration due to impact.
A Penn State web page indicates
As I understand it, that means the 3-pound brain suddenly impacts the skull as though it is 300-pounds (100-g impact). Take the full weight of "Refrigerator" William Perry on about 8 square inches of the opposite side of the skull..
(08-03-2023, 08:23 AM)M T Wrote: Or maybe it is time to own up to CTE and start down the road of academics without football.
Yes, there is something visceral about head-to-head combat on a football field and many of the public would miss that. But the game of football has evolved over the years, trying to become safer. In the meantime, we are beefing up and speeding up the players, causing hits delivered with more momentum. Despite all the changes in helmet design and rules, we have not figured out a way to cushion the human brain inside its skull to take the acceleration due to impact.
A Penn State web page indicates
Quote:Stefan Duma, director of the university’s Center for Injury Biomechanics, states, “We see 100-g impacts all the time, and several over 150 g’s.”as measured by sensors in helmets at Virginia Tech.
As I understand it, that means the 3-pound brain suddenly impacts the skull as though it is 300-pounds (100-g impact). Take the full weight of "Refrigerator" William Perry on about 8 square inches of the opposite side of the skull..
08-27-2026, 11:24 PM
I do feel guiltier and guiltier. The sport itself is evolving toward a very stark contest of physical damage that doesn't always prioritize speed, discipline, and quick decision-making. And the long-term consequences are severe enough...especially for student-athletes admitted on their academic and athletic merit.
Maybe the masses would be satisfied with flag football, if enough talent, money, and cultural prominence could migrate over to such a professional league.
Maybe the masses would be satisfied with flag football, if enough talent, money, and cultural prominence could migrate over to such a professional league.
I do feel guiltier and guiltier. The sport itself is evolving toward a very stark contest of physical damage that doesn't always prioritize speed, discipline, and quick decision-making. And the long-term consequences are severe enough...especially for student-athletes admitted on their academic and athletic merit.
Maybe the masses would be satisfied with flag football, if enough talent, money, and cultural prominence could migrate over to such a professional league.
Maybe the masses would be satisfied with flag football, if enough talent, money, and cultural prominence could migrate over to such a professional league.
08-28-2026, 05:58 AM
(08-27-2026, 11:24 PM)fullmetal Wrote: I do feel guiltier and guiltier. The sport itself is evolving toward a very stark contest of physical damage that doesn't always prioritize speed, discipline, and quick decision-making. And the long-term consequences are severe enough...especially for student-athletes admitted on their academic and athletic merit.
Maybe the masses would be satisfied with flag football, if enough talent, money, and cultural prominence could migrate over to such a professional league.
I don't think so. Football's a more-or-less civilized version of combat. It appeals to the base instincts. And as long as the money and interest and adulation are there, young men will play it, especially those with fewer options.
Audaces fortuna iuvat
(08-27-2026, 11:24 PM)fullmetal Wrote: I do feel guiltier and guiltier. The sport itself is evolving toward a very stark contest of physical damage that doesn't always prioritize speed, discipline, and quick decision-making. And the long-term consequences are severe enough...especially for student-athletes admitted on their academic and athletic merit.
Maybe the masses would be satisfied with flag football, if enough talent, money, and cultural prominence could migrate over to such a professional league.
I don't think so. Football's a more-or-less civilized version of combat. It appeals to the base instincts. And as long as the money and interest and adulation are there, young men will play it, especially those with fewer options.
Audaces fortuna iuvat
08-28-2026, 07:42 AM
Druski weighs in. If you don't know, he's an immensely popular ... I guess skit-satirist??? ... anyway, here's his take on CTE (mostly not funny at all, but I did laugh once):
https://www.instagram.com/p/DchXXQLiQjF/
https://www.instagram.com/p/DchXXQLiQjF/
Druski weighs in. If you don't know, he's an immensely popular ... I guess skit-satirist??? ... anyway, here's his take on CTE (mostly not funny at all, but I did laugh once):
https://www.instagram.com/p/DchXXQLiQjF/
https://www.instagram.com/p/DchXXQLiQjF/
08-29-2026, 09:00 AM
PUt me in the camp of wanting significant rule changes, and until that happens not patronizing football. I will follow at a distance in the meantime.
DIE LUFT DER FREIHEIT WEHT
PUt me in the camp of wanting significant rule changes, and until that happens not patronizing football. I will follow at a distance in the meantime.
DIE LUFT DER FREIHEIT WEHT
08-30-2026, 10:41 AM
(08-29-2026, 02:00 PM)newguy Wrote: not CTE, but a running back for William Jewell College just died during a game today.
i read that he died on the sideline just after scoring a TD, but can't confirm that for certain.
a little more here
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/col...rcna595123
Eric
"the older we get the better we were"
(08-29-2026, 02:00 PM)newguy Wrote: not CTE, but a running back for William Jewell College just died during a game today.
i read that he died on the sideline just after scoring a TD, but can't confirm that for certain.
a little more here
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/col...rcna595123
Eric
"the older we get the better we were"
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