To the editor: Sociology professors Nathan Kalman-Lamb and Derek Silva are right about the hypocrisy of shaming college football players who fight on the field.
When I was a graduate student at the University of Michigan, I taught a science course and in the summer semester I was hired to tutor a football player who had to drop out of my fall course due to a football injury. While working with him, I found that I still couldn't stay focused for more than 20 minutes.
While I used to appreciate the strategies demonstrated on the field, experience taught me that the game is mostly about mindless brute force. The popularity of football often overshadows the damage that can last a lifetime.
I'm not a fan anymore.
Margaret Hamilton, Portlandmineral.
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To the editor: Thanks to The Times for alerting us again to the fact that the devastating statistics on brain damage and Parkinson's disease among former football players have not been a deterrent to participation in the game, except for those parents who can discourage their children from play.
But the authors' condemnation of football fails on two counts.
First, a blanket condemnation is overly simplistic because it ignores all the good things that competitive sports teach, such as discipline, sportsmanship and camaraderie.
Second, the authors do not give credit to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, which has recognized the problem, nor to all those coaches who take seriously their responsibility as teachers of maturing children.
Players now know that “targeting,” or making forced contact beyond what is necessary to tackle another player, results not only in lost yards, but also in ejection. Unsportsmanlike conduct can lead to game-changing sanctions.
The NCAA cares, most coaches care, and yes, the fights are an embarrassment.
Louis Lipofsky, Beverly Hills
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To the editor: Cries of hypocrisy over college football fights, when the sport itself is mired in violence, come a distant second to the more obvious: “What, are you kidding?”
Considering that every player on the field is dressed head to toe in protective gear designed solely to prevent harm, I highly doubt there has ever been an injury of any kind as a result of a fight.
News flash: there never will be.
William P. Bekkala, West Hollywood
