On Monday night, Buffalo Bills safety Dummer Hamlin was sent to the hospital after a blow that left him unable to breathe and his teammates burst into tears, bringing the game to a complete halt. This isn’t the first time the public has addressed safety concerns related to the sport.
Soccer is more than just a sport or hobby. It’s an integral and complex part of American culture. It brings joy and excitement to many, but it also poses serious risks to the health and safety of those who play.
Is it possible to reconcile the common aspects of the sport that millions of people love with our concerns about player safety?
“I think damage is part of the nature of football” — Patrick Fulby, sports journalist
listen: How Americans are tackling their love of football and player safety
The guests
Patrick Fulby Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Washingtonian Magazine, communications consultant, and author of the Hreal Sports newsletter. He says that football is a sport that people want enough violence to get excited and thrilled, and that people stop watching if the damage is too great.
“I think injuries are actually part of the nature of football. Otherwise we’d just play flag football, get rid of all this tackle, get rid of all these pads and helmets.” The truth is that nobody sees it, or most people don’t.”
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