Day 1486: Football Fever

Michael poked a hornet's nest and suggested that football be eliminated from the high school sports offerings.  People are already going crazy.  Save Fredonia Football!  It's an important issue and it involves more than just the parents and players.  There's a tight community around the sport that intensely favor keeping the sport. While there are others who see it as far too dangerous for the students.  If a player were to die, as happened just a few years ago in Brocton, the entire district would be sued and every resident would pay.   In addition, repeated head trauma causes chronic traumatic encephalopathy.  Why does anyone risk that?  I'm glad he raised the issue because the entire community has a collective  responsibility to the students.  It will be a tough meeting to manage because emotions will be running high.

So where do I stand?  I understand the camaraderie among the families of players and I appreciate the value of teamwork to accomplish goals.  Games with rivals can be exciting, although I don't watch football because it's too boring.  I think eventually research will reveal that repeated head traumas from football tackles or soccer headers or cheerleading falls are far too dangerous for youths.  I would prefer to see adventure education that challenges kids to grow in courage and skills but is not competitive with other schools.  Rock climbing, kayaking, snowshoeing, hiking all offer a similar adrenaline rush and physical toning.  My prediction is that football will survive the battle this time, but within ten years, Fredonia and lots of other schools will abandon the sport as more evidence is gathered.

A great lunch at the Mustard Seed restaurant: Pulled pork sliders with sriracha slaw and homemade waffle chips.