All things sporting [3]

Unfortunately a lot of people value it for the violence more than anything else, I think. But your comparison with soccer is well taken; I can't imagine there will be a mass exodus of football fans from the NFL in response to rule changes, in part because there's nowhere else to go. I'm still not entirely sure whether I think football should have a place in a modern, medically literate society. The sport's governing bodies (both the NFL and the NCAA) definitely shouldn't have as much power as they do, though.

It took about a decade of various groups, usually family associated with footballers who had been injured, and medical organizations making cases, and even things going to court before the football authorities changed tact.
Hit them in the wallet and the with the threat of more ad more future lawsuits if they dont change tact and its amazing how fast ruling bodies can suddenly see the other side of the argument.

The league compromised on a big $745 million settlement with retired players last year -- it provided a pot of money open to any NFL retiree, rather than settling just with the ones who brought lawsuits -- but I hope that pressure on the league does not go away because of this, even though it's certainly an improvement from what they were doing before.

Phillip Hughes, Australian cricketer, dies aged 25

http://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/phillip-hughes-australian-cricketer-dies-aged-25/story-fndpt0dy-1227137085261

Tragic. Apparently he wasn't the only cricketer to die from being hit by the ball recently...?

Not heard about that.

The Guardian mentioned it in their obit of Hughes.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/nov/27/phillip-hughes-cricket-world-tributes

So in addition to Hughes, two cricket umpires have been killed from being hit by balls in the past week.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-30260842

Go Pack Go!

Suck it Cowboys! hehehehehe

Broke Back Mountain?

Tony Romo no homo.

Fucking Seahawks.

Go Patriots!

The NFC Championship was one of the ugliest playoff games I've seen in a while. I don't feel like either team deserved to go to the Super Bowl.

That said, I am excited about the (right now pretty probable-looking) prospect of seeing the most recent dynasty (the Pats) go up against the team with the best prospect at becoming a new dynasty that we've seen in quite some time. Could be a changing of the guard moment ... or a Pats renaissance (God I hope not).

Ugly yes, but a pretty amazing comeback! Go Seahawks!!!!

As much as I wanted the Pack to go to the Superbowl, I would love to see it ripped from the Seahawks hands.

It was a pretty great comeback, I agree Dave. I was all but ready to turn the game off in the second quarter, but it ended up being a great ending that pushed dinner back.

I do like Rodgers and the Pack though, but I also like Sherman and the Seahawks, so in the absence of any personal connection to either team or city, I didn't really have a dog in the fight. But I've been to Seattle while I've never had the chance to visit Green Bay, and I'd love to see a dynasty show-down.

As for the AFC, I can't really root for either team, being a Ravens fan. I'm required to loathe the Colts for all time because they snuck out of Baltimore in the middle of the night, but the Ravens and Pats have played each other too many times in the playoffs over the past few years for me to cheer for them either.

That was one hell of a second-half collapse.  That eight minute stretch in the third quarter made me feel like I was watching Germany dissect Brazil again.

And in one line years of suspicion that American football is the campest game on the planet comes full circle!

Anyone watching the Superbowl?

Any Yank who didn't respond is. Me, I don't see the point in professional sports. But I can hear it coming from my neighbors.

Well thats no good. How am I supposed to mock and take the piss out of a nations national sport if the nation in question doesnt show up?

They ARE showing up....to the game. But I suppose it's no good mocking me since I don't give a rat's ass, so I sympathize with your plight.

This sport is infuriating to watch- only Americans would design a sport around commercial breaks (I'm pretty sure Ive watched more commercials than game so far )

At least the team I'm backing are winning.