Is it immoral to watch football? That's the primary question posed by Steve Almond in his new book, "Against Football."
The New York Times best-selling author grew up as a die-hard football fan, and found ways to alleviate the moral objections he had to the sport's lackadaisical approach to mental health until his mother had an accident and developed acute dementia. Almond's mother didn't recognize him when he visited her in the ICU.
"People talk about the soul or the spirit being in our heart. No; it's in our brains," says Almond. "The brain makes you who you are. When that's gone, you're gone."
The NFL has been sued multiple times for issues concerning concussions, such as withholding information about the long term side effects, and initial misdiagnosis to keep players on the field of play. Research has shown that playing football is linked to severe cognitive issues such as dementia, Alzheimer's and depression.
Many of these mental health risks were known by the NFL but withheld or outright denied until recent years. Almond has other bones to pick with the sport as well concerning American attitudes towards violence, hyper-masculinity, racism, and homophobia. He believes that a silent majority have qualms about many of the stances the NFL takes, but continue to sponsor the game anyway.
Many of the recent issues have not been overlooked by fans or the media but that doesn't mean they have negatively affected the popularity of football.
Ray Rice was suspended for a paltry two games after striking his fiance so hard that she fell unconscious. Thanks to public outcry, the NFL has instituted a more severe policy for domestic abuse and sexual assault offenders.
The owner of the Washington Redskins has stated on multiple occasions that he has no intention of changing the name of his team, and claims to have met zero Native Americans who are offended by the moniker. Many members of the media have decided to stop saying the name altogether, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office cancelled the trademark for "redskins" because it was deemed "disparaging."
On Dec. 7, 2012, Josh Brent killed his best friend and Dallas Cowboys teammate Jerry Brown while drinking in driving. Brent was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to six months in jail. After serving a 10 week suspension, Brent will return to the field as a Dallas Cowboy.
What about Aaron Hernandez's trial for multiple homicides, the Richie Incognito bullying, and the bevy of suicides by former players?
That's just three out of tens of items in the current news cycle that NFL fans ignore in order to just enjoy the game .Almond is right. What will it take to change this dynamic? No one is sure.
