Limbaugh Asks: Will Liberal Media Try to Ban Football?
Rush Limbaugh is wondering if the Left is going to try to ban football.
It sounds like a crazy question, given the massive popularity of both professional and college football all across America, but Limbaugh's question isn't as crazy as it seems. "Compassion" -- and the Left's reflexive Nanny State impulse -- might move the ball in that direction.
On Friday, Limbaugh wondered during his broadcast if well-intentioned liberals, out to make the game safer, might instead be paving the way for it to be banned:
Some of them are leading the charge and don't even know it with the way they're covering the sport. Some of them are leading the charge for getting the game banned and they don't even know it! By the way they're covering it. They're demanding this and demanding all these new safety features, safety regulations, safety rules. Empowering the government to police the game. They're begging for it, and they don't even realize it. They, in their naivete, think they're working hard to make the game safer and so forth, and all they're doing is paving the way for the game to be banned.
They don't even know it.
As if on cue the liberal media demonstrated what Limbaugh was talking about.
First, on ABC News's Sunday program, This Week with George Stephanopolous, guest host Jake Tapper focused on the NFL and the concussion issue, asking George Will, "Is football in trouble, or is this just the media making a muck?"
Second, the Wall Street Journal published an op-ed by "Friday Night Lights" author Buzz Bissinger that, quite seriously called for the banning of college football because college football loses money for many schools and "because college football has no academic purpose."
Weaving those two threads together, today, Limbaugh talked about what he said is a growing threat to the existence of football:
Folks, this is gonna happen faster than I thought. Maybe not an outright ban of the game, but I guarantee you this is gonna happen faster than I thought. It's funny for me. I read a lot of NFL blogs, and they're mostly written by typical liberal media types -- and these guys don't know what they're doing. As they write about this, they are paving the way for fundamental structural changes in this game that will make it not football, while they think they're doing compassionate stories.
For example, they're asking for federal commissions on concussions, "and we'd better have mandatory counseling for every player who retires otherwise they're all gonna commit suicide. For two reasons: A, all the head trauma; and B, people stop cheering for them, and their lives immediately turn meaningless. Every one of them." It's amazing to read this stuff. And I'm sure these guys all think that they're writing and positing with great compassion.
But they are paving the way for people who want to take the risk out of life to move in on football.
It's difficult to imagine Americans going along with government outright banning football, but it's easier to see "compassionate" liberals and trial lawyers gradually destroying the sport through excessive regulation, government intervention and lawsuits, while the sport at the college level, and eventually the high school level, is increasingly assaulted by people who agree with Bissinger, that it serves no education purpose.
On the other hand, changing football to be a minor league and major league system is very different from banning college-age athletes from playing the sport altogether. What are your thoughts, sports fans?
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Comments
Unfortunately, once again, Rush is.....
Submitted by Blonde on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 6:10pm.
...unusually prescient. I heard both of his segments.
And what I'd like to write, I can't.....for reasons of decorum.
Suffice it to say, I feel about college ball the same way I feel about guns, and prying either out of my cold, dead hands.
Stupid, meddling, *&$)&^$@! Nanny Staters.
GO GATORS!!!!!!
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Roger Goodell
Submitted by djwolf12 on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 6:15pm.
Roger Goodell wants to be the commissioner of the N.F.F.F.L.: The National Fantasy Flag Football League. I think it is time for Colleges to band together and play their games on Saturdays and Sundays. If they play on Sundays, it bankrupt the league and will put Roger Goodell out of a job.
I think some of the media are
Submitted by balboa on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 6:16pm.
I think some of the media are overreacting, but there are growing concerns about the long-term effects when Duerson kills himself, and now Seau.
In the end, the money is going to determine a lot. The rules might be changed, but if it keeps guys from killing themselves later in life, that's probably a good thing, isn't it? Rush has a point, but would he rather everyone just not talk about concussions?
So... Balboa
Submitted by FistsforLiberty on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 6:43pm.
What's next boxing? MMA?. adults and kids know there is a risk when playing these sports!! I'm 41 years old and when I was I high school and college I knew there was a risk of getting seriously injured and I took that risk. people are responsible for there own actions. Don't blame the sports. if you don't want the risk don't join risky sports. Then later on claim you didn't know that they were risky.
I'm not saying ban anything,
Submitted by balboa on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 6:57pm.
I'm not saying ban anything, first off. The individual has the right to take part in risky sports. But there is growing data that concussions are more harmful and under-diagnosed than previously thought, and that the NFL might have tried to skew studies in their favor.
So, I think that what people want right now for the most part is to be aware of the extent of the risks. Thats all.
But if the NFL covered up info, they might be in a lot of trouble.
Don't forget NASCAR!
Submitted by Anon150 on Tue, 05/08/2012 - 11:08am.
They drive FAR too fast and close together!
Can't we limit race speeds to, oh, 35 miles per hour, with no passing, and penalties for closing beyond the mandated 3-car length separation.
Yeaaaaah! Safety and protection for all!
It just 'feels' right.
They have another plan for NASCAR.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Tue, 05/08/2012 - 11:52am.
Won't be long before only electric cars will be allowed to race.
That way, they can pit every lap to "refuel" and never, ever have a caution flag come out!
Of course, those 200-300 mile races may last quite awhile, but think of how much TV time they will have to get sponsors for.
Like restrictor plates for NASCAR, need to slow the players down
Submitted by upcountrywater on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 6:18pm.
Lead boots and shields, good news they will still be able to use bright colors.
You Didn't Build That.
maybe if they didn't keep score in football it would help?
Submitted by MidAmerica on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 6:29pm.
Liberals do not like football for several reasons but primarily because it is male dominated. Liberals cannot stand any aspect in society they cannot impose their belief system on it. In the egalitarian world of Liberalism all people are equal no matter their sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation,physical limitations, blah blah blah. Football is the antithesis of Liberalism. Plus football reeks of a chemical that Liberals would ban if they could, testosterone.
Hasn't Dick 'Turbin' Durbin
Submitted by ant on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 6:29pm.
Hasn't Dick 'Turbin' Durbin already expressed a wish for Congressional hearings on players focusing on 'taking out' opposing players? Ahhh, government....always so keen to do what they weren't elected to do and so derelict in what they are supposed to be doing.
ban all risky behaviors
Submitted by MidAmerica on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 6:33pm.
If the liberals are so worried about health that the banning of football be considered then perhaps banning Gay sex also be banned because it is a known health hazzard and the suicide rate for Gays is higher than that for ex-football players.
Nice shot, MA!!
Submitted by Newsbubba on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 7:36pm.
You should send that little idea to Rush.
well...
Submitted by MidAmerica on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 8:13pm.
If Rush would like it he will see it. I know he comes around here or at least his people do. Were not some little backwater blog anymore. LOL
I just noticed...
Submitted by MidAmerica on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 8:25pm.
I mispoke.
I said "perhaps banning Gay sex also be banned" which is the opposite of what I meant. So you have to read it rather quickly in order for it to say what I meant. But hey, I was in a hurry. I'm putting down some sidewalk the old fashioned way with an electric mixer.
You are right
Submitted by DontFeedTheTrolls on Tue, 05/08/2012 - 5:44am.
I bet more people die from gay sex than from all sports combined.
Ban football?
Submitted by truckinmann on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 6:45pm.
They won't ban football, they'll re-define football. Everyone will have to wear a full suit of padded Kevlar armor. The field will have to be made of 6 inches of memory foam. Rushing the quarterback will be banned. Tackling will be banned. 2 hand touch below the waist, unless the player is gay, that would be sexual harassment. No more kick off, or punting. Teams will automatically start every possession from the 20 yard line..... of their opponents, to keep the actual chances of actually acquiring any kind of injury to a minimum. No running. etc etc......
Bake sales, baseball, football, ...
Submitted by pockets64 on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 6:48pm.
Massachusetts banned bake sales. They're going after baseball. We shouldn't be surprised they are going after football.
Is the goal to tear apart everything American?
The same thing...
Submitted by TempusFugit on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 6:48pm.
...has been happening in hockey because over this past summer no fewer than 3 former NHL tough guys either committed suicide or killed themselves with drugs and alcohol. And also the game's best player, Sidney Crosby, missed the better part of 2 years with multiple concussions. So there's been plenty of hand wringing going on in hockey circles about the violence in the game. But the NHL has established protocols whereby any player suspected of a concussion has to pass tests administered by a physician before he can go back to play. I don't know if the NFL has a similar protocol, but it probably should. Advances in medicine, prevention, diagnosing and treating head trauma, rather than "wussifying" the games by trying to take all the violence out, is the solution to solving these problems
I hope you're being intentionally provocative
Submitted by Someone Said on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 6:48pm.
Nothing like "Ban Football" grabbing headlines, but no. Not happening.
Maybe someone can show a connection between the millions of athletes who have committed suicide after a concussion with the the theeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...
Bad point. So one or two former NFLers commit suicide and suddenly concussions lead to suicide? I have another idea.
Former DIVA becomes depressed, and no amount of medication will bring back the glory days. Very sad situation.
If they'll ban bake sales,
Submitted by Slyrr on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 7:33pm.
If they'll ban bake sales, why wouldn't they 'ban' football? I wouldn't put anything past these communist nanny-staters. They're tyrants in waiting, prodding and poking to see what they can 'get away' with...
I know a few psychiatry colleagues who treat celebrities,
Submitted by drsamherman on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 8:22pm.
and they regret having anything to do with them. They generally present with higher rates of depression, anxiety, personality disorders (predominantly cluster B: attention-seeking, borderline, narcissist, obsessive/compulsive) and bipolarity than the general population. Professional athletes are among the worst narcissists and do not take the passing of their age with grace, and this is borne out by some comparative data presented a few years ago looking at higher crime rates among former pro athletes who had monetary problems or simply wanted the attention and notoriety. The extreme of those celebrities (professional athletes among them) who actually commit suicide is generally lower in that small sub-population compared to the general population.
There are some studies which indicate a higher prevalence of various types of mental and neurological deficits and illnesses among those with head trauma, but there are also studies which find a high concordance rate of pre-existing conditions being exacerbated by the same. The literature does not paint a very clear picture, but I am skeptical that head injury that does not rise to the level of trauma or provable brain structure changes as verifiable on CT, MRI or PET scan, or EEG, has any effect at all on suicide rates in celebrities. If anything, the existence of unmasked, pre-existing mental illness or exacerbated prodromal disorders are more likely responsible. In other words, being knocked in the head didn't make 'em crazy, but the environment in which they live probably did. They are so dependent on the fawning and sycophantic treatment they receive and suddenly it is taken away from them. If that does not cause an acute episode of some serious mood disorder, I don't know what would.
I don't treat very many celebrities, as San Antonio is not exactly popping with them like Malibu or Beverly Hills. I am not sure that I would WANT to treat them, given the tabloid culture. The most famous patient I had (who passed away long ago so there are no privacy concerns here) was a politico from Austin. I get more run of the mill cases, and they are a lot easier to treat because no one is following them around trying to get that rare picture of them to put in the sleaziest tabloids. With most of my patients, that is only a dream for them.
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Submitted by mrwiffle on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 6:52pm.
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"It's difficult to imagine Americans going along with government
Submitted by Dave. on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 6:59pm.
...outright banning football."
Given my observations of the compliant American sheeple over the last two decades, and prticularly since January 20, 2009, the idea that they would sit idly by and watch it happen is not very far-fetched at all.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Going to be funny watching these
Submitted by Boudin on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 7:08pm.
Pro FB player start hyperventilating when folks start talking about canning their lucrative professions.
That will teach those mean ol Owners, who want to win, eh
'No way this would happen in America'
Submitted by Slyrr on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 7:30pm.
Do you remember people (like Rush) warning us years ago that stuff like this was coming? How many of you out there shook your heads and chuckled and said, 'No WAY this would happen in the USA'. Then you said to all your friends, 'there go those crazy right-wingers making up stories to scare people', or something like it.
Now FF to today. How many of you read the story about how Boston is 'banning' bake sales? They're not TALKING about banning them, or encouraging banning them - they actually BANNED them. Come August, unless the people rise up and hang these nanny-staters from the nearest yardarm (figuratively speaking of course), it will be 'illegal' to have a bake sale.
Last year they had thugs terrorizing children who were setting up lemonade stands. Now government agents will be running amok in Boston with billy clubs in hand and jack boots on their feet, ready to start beating and arresting Cindy Lou and Bobby for daring to try and sell cupcakes to raise money for a music band.
You think for one minute that they won't do the same for football, if they think for one minute that they can get away with it?
Rush is RIGHT - again.
Another pillar of white America begins to crack.
Submitted by Servo1969 on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 7:44pm.
Think about it...
Everything that (in the progressive view) has traditionally been a symbol of excellence in white male society is under attack;
NASA
Professional football
The armed forces
The Boy Scouts
All these institutions must either be "fundamentally transformed" or eliminated.
This is the most racist administration in America's history.
Make no mistake, when these people look at white males they see their own vision of 1950's America;
Big racist white men who chew tobacco, slap their wives and kids around, and crack black jokes at work.
They are going to wussify the American male at all costs.
Ban football because of concussions?
Submitted by Newsbubba on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 7:47pm.
Here's a novel idea. How about going back to the soft leather helmets of yesterday. Players wearing those things had more sense than to use their heads as a Fluking battering ram! All the trouble started when someone invented the helmets used today, because they were used as a weapon against other players.
Football players get paid millions of dollars to play a game they love, and they know the risks. If they don't they're stupid, so beating their brains out ain't going to hurt them very much.
I dare say almost 100% of them would choose the glory of playing football even if they were certain that it would have adverse effects in their later years, including early death.
Soldiers, on the other hand, get paid less than the trainers on an NFL team, and suffer horrendous brain injuries as well as loss of body parts at an alarming rate when they are in combat.
Those same a$$holes who want to ban football because some multi-millionaires suffer from a rare injury, don't seem that inclined to spend any more money caring for the vets who give their all, including their lives, in defense of their country.
So come on liberals! Don't ban football. ban war, if you think you're so damned smart, or at least make it more comfortable for the people who suffer to protect your sorry a$$es.
Gee,...
Submitted by BBallleaper on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 8:17pm.
if they kill the NFL, Rush won't have anywhere to fly to on the weekends. You'd think being kicked in the teeth by Goodell would have been sufficient to leave a bad taste in his mouth, but no, once again, nothing but sports commentary. America is being destroyed even as he despairs about his beloved NFL. Every waking moment of his life should be spent bringing down this marxist fraud. Unfortunately, even though the evidence is staring him right in the face, he has failed to present it, since doing so would place him in the fringe 'conspiracy' category. He lacks the balls to present the truth to his audience. Pathetic. I began listening in 1988 and have heard some of the greatest monologues and discussions of Conservatism and liberalism ever spoken. But he has dropped the 'ball' (fumbled?) on Barry. This marxist dictator needs to be confronted with every available piece of damning evidence we have, endlessly, day after day. But Rush is not up to the task. Too much money to be made to possibly place himself in ratings danger. Meanwhile, we're stuck with McLame II and it looks like with 50% of the country on the dole and loving it, we're in for the last four years of this republic. Thanks Rush. I have only one word: Chickensh*t!
I was feeling the same way, Leaper.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Tue, 05/08/2012 - 11:58am.
I assume you're speaking mainly about the evidence that Sheriff Arpiao is digging up on Barry's immaculate conception.
I'm hoping that they are just still digging and waiting until the election really heats up before beating the Shiite out of Barry with that evidence so that he will have to spend every waking hour trying to bury it again.
At least that's what I hope, but you may be right, and they are a bunch of gutless cowards.
Hard nosed, gritty Football, Progressive style:
Submitted by djwolf12 on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 9:55pm.
Colin Cowherd on ESPN applauded Roger Goodell for trying to remake the NFL into a PROGRESSIVE league. Yes, he did. THIS is what the future NFL will look like if these PROGRESSIVES get their way:
The Pro Bowl will be outlawed due to injury risks.
Fans will not be allowed to cheer or boo in the stands; they may hurt the visiting teams' feelings.
No kickoffs, no punt returns, and no special teams.
Defensive lines and linebackers outlawed.
Cornerbacks are the only players that can play on the defense.
Cornerbacks WILL NOT be allowed to move while on the field.
Every game will end with a 70-70 tie.
All teams will finish the regular season with an 0-0-16 record.
Roger Goodell will hand out participation ribbons to every team for "trying" at a ceremony hosted by Alec Baldwin.
Enough is enough with this Progressive bulls**t. It is time to bring back Paul Tagliabue. Roger Goodell is taking a giant whiz on the graves of Pete Rozell, Vince Lombardi, Tom Landry, and George Halas.
The Pro Bowl is terrible and
Submitted by balboa on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 9:55pm.
The Pro Bowl is terrible and should be canned.
(And progressive doesn't mean awful by default. )
Well Mass. banned bake sales.
Submitted by Liberallies on Tue, 05/08/2012 - 12:22am.
Well Mass. banned bake sales.
This ridiculous Liberals. How pathetic. Soon they will want kids to grow up in a plastic bubble.
I have always known the huge, HUGE riske of playing football. No NFL player is unware of this since there have been some pretty bad accidents and deaths in the sport.
Personal responsability is key here.
But let us remember that one of the key "attributes" to be a Liberal is to never have to take personal responsability for your actions.
yeah the dog whistle is doing into overdrive on this
Submitted by OffTheLows on Tue, 05/08/2012 - 5:36am.
it really picked up after that colt mccoy hit last year, amp it up some more for bountygate, and then Junior Seau's suicide has it in warp drive. To risk to me is primarily football at the high school level, then at the smaller colleges, where the pool of potential plaintiffs is large and the revenues produced by football programs is small.
wouldn't be surprised if former baseball players who have been beaned form a class action blaming any physical or mental issues on the head injury. or soccer players for incidental headbutts
After the greed- mongers get
Submitted by clancie on Tue, 05/08/2012 - 7:59am.
After the greed- mongers get finished suing for one silly thing or another, the Football Nazi's will most likely turn it into a 'tag' or touch football and do the sport completely in.
This is where we are heading...
Submitted by aloyicious on Tue, 05/08/2012 - 3:07pm.
http://www.tnellen.com/cybereng/harrison.html