Raleigh Talk Radio

[Galway Eagle]

Nope, didn't get you at all...I said what I said, and I meant what I meant. HS football #'s are way down, at least here in Wisconsin(don't know about other states). Programs have had to cancel seasons for lack of #'s. I have heard/seen/read comments multiple times through the years that Mommy's in particular won't let little Johnny play football. They are deathly afraid of little Johnny getting hurt...So, little Johnny goes and plays soccer...the epitome of "non contact" sport. A lot less likely you get hurt playing soccer than you do football.

Kids also quit football at the beginning of the year, all the time, make it through a practice or two and that's it. Why?? because it's too hard, they simply don't want to work that hard. Now they may not go play soccer either, because that too requires an effort. However, playing video games does not require that much effort in reality.

Sure, soccer players have to have mega endurance because of all the running they do chasing after that ball...I can see how that would wear you out, I mean it wears me out to the point where if I ever watch even a minute of it, I fall asleep..from...exhaustion, okay, well boredom, but you get my point. In what world is soccer anywhere close to the having the amount of physical contact that football does?? Therefore, injuries are far more likely(especially serious ones), in football then in soccer. That is not even close to debatable. Hence why Mommy's don't want their boys playing football..too afraid of them getting hurt. A lot Kids just aren't tough enough these days...reality.

Hockey and Lacrosse numbers are up so it's not your wussification idea it's that football is a boring sport that breeds entitlement and kids would rather actually play than be third string and barely break a sweat despite all the hard work.

Years ago football numbers were on the rise around when boxing numbers were dropping, I wonder if you considered that a wussification of america back then as well?

Heck american football was the slowed down bastard of rugby that americans decided they were too delicate to play without pads so maybe americans in general are wussies?

[The Sultan]

And I have no idea what physical contact during a sporting event has to do with toughening people up. 

[Cheeks]

Nope, didn't get you at all...I said what I said, and I meant what I meant. HS football #'s are way down, at least here in Wisconsin(don't know about other states). Programs have had to cancel seasons for lack of #'s. I have heard/seen/read comments multiple times through the years that Mommy's in particular won't let little Johnny play football. They are deathly afraid of little Johnny getting hurt...So, little Johnny goes and plays soccer...the epitome of "non contact" sport. A lot less likely you get hurt playing soccer than you do football.

Kids also quit football at the beginning of the year, all the time, make it through a practice or two and that's it. Why?? because it's too hard, they simply don't want to work that hard. Now they may not go play soccer either, because that too requires an effort. However, playing video games does not require that much effort in reality.

Sure, soccer players have to have mega endurance because of all the running they do chasing after that ball...I can see how that would wear you out, I mean it wears me out to the point where if I ever watch even a minute of it, I fall asleep..from...exhaustion, okay, well boredom, but you get my point. In what world is soccer anywhere close to the having the amount of physical contact that football does?? Therefore, injuries are far more likely(especially serious ones), in football then in soccer. That is not even close to debatable. Hence why Mommy's don't want their boys playing football..too afraid of them getting hurt. A lot Kids just aren't tough enough these days...reality.

I played soccer and football in high school, in California they are different times of the year.  Many of us did.  Football was a cakewalk in terms of getting into shape as during a soccer game we ran probably close to 6 miles per game, only one break at halftime.  My only broken bones in athletics...soccer.  No protection with soccer.  Do I think parents are overreacting with football...yes, but let's not dismiss other sports.

[jsglow]

I think a lot has changed in HS football in the last 40+ years.  These kids are bigger, faster, and hit harder.  Therein lies the increased risk.  Back in the day on a muddy field blocking a 220 lineman or a 180 linebacker at relatively slow speed really wasn't that big a deal.  I saw exactly one knee injury in 4 years.  I'm sure there were concussions occasionally so that was an under addressed issue for sure.  But mostly we got abrasions and dirty and tired.  Not launched into next week.

I can't imagine the collision forces you see today on synthetic fields in from of 30,000 fans like they have down in Texas.  I wouldn't want my kid playing that.   

[JWags85]

I played soccer and football in high school, in California they are different times of the year.  Many of us did.  Football was a cakewalk in terms of getting into shape as during a soccer game we ran probably close to 6 miles per game, only one break at halftime.  My only broken bones in athletics...soccer.  No protection with soccer.  Do I think parents are overreacting with football...yes, but let's not dismiss other sports.

Soccer is 100% full contact. Just because an aim of the game is not maiming the opponent on each play, doesn't mean there arent consistent and constant collisions. And as Cheeks said, no padding or protections. Soccer players routinely miss time due to a variety of injuries that are tougher to play through due to constant activity and motion.

[muguru]

Did you play high school football?

Of course I did

[Golden Avalanche]

Of course I did, all 4 years..along with basketball and baseball.

It's a bit weird you consider soccer a "non-contact" sport when you played baseball, a sport in which you could play an entire game not coming into contact with an opponent.

[muguru]

It's a bit weird you consider soccer a "non-contact" sport when you played baseball, a sport in which you could play an entire game not coming into contact with an opponent.

I just do not understand at all, the appeal of soccer and why it is so universally praised. Seriously...is it simply because it's the one sport that every country seems to participate in?? I mean honestly, it's chasing after a ball, constantly running and trying to keep the other team from scoring...games are always usually so low scoring 1-0 etc. I mean, I'm sure there's some strategy that goes into it, but realistically, it all comes down to whether or not you can kick the ball in the net, past the goalie or not. Sounds thrilling.

For the record, I am also not a hockey fan.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

So if Guru does not like a sport it means those who play it are participating in the wussification of America

[Galway Eagle]

I just do not understand at all, the appeal of soccer and why it is so universally praised. Seriously...is it simply because it's the one sport that every country seems to participate in?? I mean honestly, it's chasing after a ball, constantly running and trying to keep the other team from scoring...games are always usually so low scoring 1-0 etc. I mean, I'm sure there's some strategy that goes into it, but realistically, it all comes down to whether or not you can kick the ball in the net, past the goalie or not. Sounds thrilling.

For the record, I am also not a hockey fan.

You realise if you dumb down any sport you can make it sound unappealing. So far it seems your rant about the wussafication was wrong and is just a way to vent your hatred of soccer

Football is just trying to hold onto a ball and run it past a line, oh and yeah you occasionally kick it over a bar if you suck at moving the ball. Plus everybody's too unathletic to play for more than 15 seconds at a time. Basketball is chasing a ball that bounces, constantly running, and trying to shoot it into a net.

So if Guru does not like a sport it means those who play it are participating in the wussification of America

This, I mentioned many other contact sports that are on the rise and he ignores it. I mentioned why football even got high numbers in the first place and he ignores it. If it doesn't fit his narrative his mind can't comprehend it.

[Its DJOver]

Remind me again how exciting the Super Bowl was?  I realize that soccer isn't everyone's cup of tea, but soccer has been the most popular sport in the world since before basketball was even invented.  You can like your favorite sport without sh!tting on others.

[muguru]

So if Guru does not like a sport it means those who play it are participating in the wussification of America

I'm just stating facts...I know TONS of HS kids around here, that quit football and joined the soccer teams instead...tell me why that is. There are only a few possible reasons, and I touched on all of them. No other explanation. It's crystal clear.

[muguru]

Remind me again how exciting the Super Bowl was?  I realize that soccer isn't everyone's cup of tea, but soccer has been the most popular sport in the world since before basketball was even invented.  You can like your favorite sport without sh!tting on others.

Yes, but why?? That's what baffles me, I don't get that at all. Different strokes for different folks i guess, but it HAS to be because it's the one sport that almost every country participates in, and the rules are all the same, so everyone in every country can relate to it?? Much like the Englander Galway's dislike for American football. Is that it?? Is that why the world cup is so popular??

[avid1010]

I'm just stating facts...I know TONS of HS kids around here, that quit football and joined the soccer teams instead...tell me why that is. There are only a few possible reasons, and I touched on all of them. No other explanation. It's crystal clear.

I wont let my kid play football...neither will his "mommy."   No women's hockey for our daughters either.  Have a good friend...Dr at UVA...does research on concussions...his kids dont play those sports either.  As much as the concussions concern me...i dislike football just as much because there are often people like you who think its a way to prove toughness and become a man.  Ill figure out a way to teach those skills without acting like an 8th grader and ripping on soccer players.  Youre a grown ass man.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

I'm just stating facts...I know TONS of HS kids around here,

Does your parole officer know a out this??

[Galway Eagle]

Yes, but why?? That's what baffles me, I don't get that at all. Different strokes for different folks i guess, but it HAS to be because it's the one sport that almost every country participates in, and the rules are all the same, so everyone in every country can relate to it?? Much like the Englander Galway's dislike for American football. Is that it?? Is that why the world cup is so popular??

Englander? Geography much? Not saying much for that whitewater education... or the brain cells of former football players

And it's so popular because it's quite possibly the most accessible sport to play at all levels of poverty. One can be from a tribe in africa or south america and still have the same capacity to play with a homemade ball as much as one who spends a fortune on high end cleats, and travel teams.

No court, no additional padding, no additional equipment, goal can be whatever you make of it, there's a low likelihood of major injury (relative to other accessible sports), I could go on. There's very few sports that can be said for that, if any others.

[Cheeks]

I wont let my kid play football...neither will his "mommy."   No women's hockey for our daughters either.  Have a good friend...Dr at UVA...does research on concussions...his kids dont play those sports either.  As much as the concussions concern me...i dislike football just as much because there are often people like you who think its a way to prove toughness and become a man.  Ill figure out a way to teach those skills without acting like an 8th grader and ripping on soccer players.  Youre a grown ass man.

I asked Andrew Luck the other day, he just got married, you going to let your kids play football.  This is a very smart guy.  Answer....yes.  Now, he may change his mind, but that's his opinion now.  Life has dangers, some more than others.  I enjoyed football very much...it is tough to get 11 guys to do everything properly to execute as a unit for a play to work.  Something very cool about that, but it isn't for everyone.  There have been other pro football players that won't let their kids play.  Personal decision. 

[wadesworld]

I'll hold off on forming any opinion on how tough athletes are in each sport until Keefer weighs in and sets the record straight with his facts on it.

[muguru]

Englander? Geography much? Not saying much for that whitewater education... or the brain cells of former football players

And it's so popular because it's quite possibly the most accessible sport to play at all levels of poverty. One can be from a tribe in africa or south america and still have the same capacity to play with a homemade ball as much as one who spends a fortune on high end cleats, and travel teams.

No court, no additional padding, no additional equipment, goal can be whatever you make of it, there's a low likelihood of major injury (relative to other accessible sports), I could go on. There's very few sports that can be said for that, if any others.

My apologies to the IRISHMAN Galway. The above bolded part is what I was stating in my posts and yet, you crucified me for it, now you admit it yourself. People are too afraid of getting hurt...that to me = Wussy.

[muguru]

I wont let my kid play football...neither will his "mommy."   No women's hockey for our daughters either.  Have a good friend...Dr at UVA...does research on concussions...his kids dont play those sports either.  As much as the concussions concern me...i dislike football just as much because there are often people like you who think its a way to prove toughness and become a man.  Ill figure out a way to teach those skills without acting like an 8th grader and ripping on soccer players.  Youre a grown ass man.

This post speaks for itself...I've got nothing to add. It says all it needs to say all by itself.

[Galway Eagle]

My apologies to the IRISHMAN Galway. The above bolded part is what I was stating in my posts and yet, you crucified me for it, now you admit it yourself. People are too afraid of getting hurt...that to me = Wussy.

I didn't crucify you for the lack of injury portion. I stated low chance of injury relative to the other sports that don't require extra equipment (rugby, boxing). I played lacrosse for JR high, four years of high school and two at MU, Boxed since i was 11 and played Hurling for years. and thus I was crucifying you for this belief that football is the end all be all of contact sports and that anybody that doesn't play is somehow part of this wussification of the youth you believe in. Rugby, ice hockey, lacrosse, boxing, MMA, Hurling, Gaelic Football, water polo (to a certain extent), etc there's loads of contact sports out there that range from harder hits, to more physically taxing than football.

I played plenty of rec soccer and will say it's loads of fun to play even though I'm not that good.

[muguru]

I didn't crucify you for the lack of injury portion. I stated low chance of injury relative to the other sports that don't require extra equipment (rugby, boxing). I played lacrosse for JR high, four years of high school and two at MU, Boxed since i was 11 and played Hurling for years. and thus I was crucifying you for this belief that football is the end all be all of contact sports and that anybody that doesn't play is somehow part of this wussification of the youth you believe in. Rugby, ice hockey, lacrosse, boxing, MMA, Hurling, Gaelic Football, water polo (to a certain extent), etc there's loads of contact sports out there that range from harder hits, to more physically taxing than football.

I played plenty of rec soccer and will say it's loads of fun to play even though I'm not that good.

No, no, you miss understood me...there are plenty of sports which you listed above Lacrosse, boxing etc that are major contact sports. Wasn't saying football is the be all end all of contact sports...but in comparison to soccer..I don't think there is any argument to be made about what is the more contact sport.

Plus, let's be fair Galway, you don't live in the USA and others countries views for the most part on American football are all the same. I think that's because they don't have the sport, at least not in the same context, so it's hard to relate. That has to be why soccer is so popular. Everyone plays soccer.

[The Sultan]

Of course I did

Yet you seem to be one of the most sensitive guys on here. Strange.

[The Sultan]

I'm just stating facts...I know TONS of HS kids around here, that quit football and joined the soccer teams instead...tell me why that is. There are only a few possible reasons, and I touched on all of them. No other explanation. It's crystal clear.

Because they don't want to get hurt but still want to be in good shape and experience the other benefits of being on a high school sports team?  Like team building, leadership, and pushing yourself?

[The Sultan]

And BTW guru, my kids all played youth football. I have no problem with it but we're fine when they migrated to other sports. It wasn't some moral failing.