How can colleges and secondary schools promote a sport that is so dangerous to the body, especially the human brain? As Joe Namath said recently, "There is no part of the body that is meant for football."
Why universities will not do the right thing morally, abolish football, has one simple answer: money! The University of Michigan will make $6 million for a 2017 game against Florida in Texas.
As long as fans flock to the games and pay huge prices for the privilege, as long as TV audiences pull in hundreds of millions for the schools and pro franchises, the sport — and its injuries to the players — will continue.
But fans have a choice whether to support this money game, and parents have a choice whether to put their children's brains at risk.
Boxing was once the most popular sport in America, remember. As a pro, you at least get your brains scrambled for money. High school and college players, it is argued, get an education, while they put their brains at risk for the sake of school spirit and the fans who should examine their priorities.
Someday, the players, at all levels, will decide not to suit up for "the big game" and thereby stop being suckers for the adults and institutions who profit from their efforts — while fully realizing the dangers they are putting young people in for their love of money.
Read more: http://www.grandhaventribune.com/opinion/community-columnist/1022951