by ldh2013 » Tue Jun 21, 2016 8:20 am
Does the violence a player experiences on a football field breed a violent attitude and eventually violent actions off the field? I wonder sometimes if it should be a consideration, a topic for discussion given the domestic public actions of a few players. . It is true that in many - in fact I say the majority of positions - on a team you have to internally develop an intense insensitivity to hitting and being hit. It is called football but it could be called "hitball" because all you do is hit other people to get the ball and when you have the ball you can expect to get hit. Ike Taylor was going after the ball and got hit by his own guy, his own teammate and broke his arm on Sunday night in Carolina. I do wonder if year after year if it does not change a person and their perception in an emotional moment of right and wrong. Now this is not a rationalization or excuse in regard to Ray Rice or others but more an inquiry as to why an action is taken that has such dramatic consequences. In my time as a player you did come across a player of two where you had to wonder if it was only a matter of time before the police would be visiting his home. And among players it was looked at as a weakness and with disdain, that on our team we had a guy that could not control his temper and anger on the field. Yes, a thought or comment was made that it was just a matter of time that his attitude would get him in trouble - truly a minority of people in the extreme. I do think football can change you in personality and values. Over time as a player you do need to switch on before you play, switch off when you leave the field. Still I found switching off very easy, switching on taking some emotionally concentrated effort and purpose. One of the aspects I enjoyed about playing football were the people and the personality changes you saw from nice guy to not so nice guy, amazing to watch and experience. And after the game the not-so-nice guy was gone and the normal nice guy returned. All the time? No, but almost all the time. I do think that many of the issues facing the NFL are very similar to the issues facing society. I am more aware of meeting the wrong person at the wrong time in daily life than I ever was in a football atmosphere. Still, I cant help but wonder if the demands of the sport dont warp the mind a little, and a little mind warping is a lot. Again this is not to justify or create an excuse. People I have spoken to all agree that the Rice incident is shocking and repulsive but because it happened as time moves on you do wonder why and how a man with so much to lose in a moment would lose it all. I do believe that the surrounding associations and environment you grow up in just may be the biggest influence in life. It the case of football because the aggressiveness and violence is rewarded it may and can change you. It has logic. The league will introduce programs and courses and hire specialists and this and that. All good. Still players also must realize whether it is football, boxing, hockey or MMA the sport they are participating in is not the norm. It is an event that has a beginning and ending that need a temper or anger switch to be turned on and turned off. Yes, hitting people can be a rush, but the rush has to stay on a field, in a ring or on the ice. If it is, then no problem. If it is not, big problem. Pro athletes are not raving maniacs of evil intent, quite the opposite. Yet, you do conclude that some handle the demands better than others. And the demands can change you at the most inopportune time. Not a rationalization, just a theory. . Logan Couture scored in the shootout and San Jose beat the Detroit Red Wings 1-0 on Monday night. The Sharks (8-0-1) are the NHLs last team without a regulation loss. . CSNPhilly.com reports that the 26-year-old wide receiver will sign a four-year deal with the team on Thursday. . Andre Drummond had 19 points and 14 rebounds, and Detroit shot a season-best 55 per cent to blow by the Jazz 114-94 Monday night.Chestnut Hill, MA (SportsNetwork.com) - Boston College extended the contract of football coach Steve Addazio through the 2020 season, saying Thursday he has out-performed expectations during what was supposed to be a rebuilding period for the program. Addazio has led the Eagles to a 14-11 record and two bowl appearances since he left Temple to take over a 2-11 team in December 2012. Boston College went 7-5 this season, including a 4-4 mark in the ACC, and will face Penn State in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Dec. 27. The Eagles lost last years Advocare V100 Bowl to Arizona. To lead a team to 14 wins and two consecutive bowl games during what was supposed to be a rebuilding process is a great accomplishment, Boston College athletic director Brad Bates said in a statement. . Beyond winning, he has worked tirelessly to recruit top-notch student- athletes and develop lasting relationships with former players and the entire university community. He is one of the best motivators Ive ever been around, and his enthusiasm is infectious. We are very fortunate to have him as our coach. Addazio, 55, was 13-11 in two seasons at Temple before arriving at Boston College, which had produced back-to-back losing seasons for the first time in 14 years. ' ' '
