I try to stay away from the NFL. I guess you could say it’s been an adamant decision for me. A lot of people around here are passionate about the NFL, but I’m definitely not one of them. And don’t get me wrong, I understand why some others are…it’s just not for me. I’m sure it looks real impressive and all on TV, with the big stars and their fancy uniforms. But for some reason, I just can’t get into it. I come from a family of more “old school” fans. Football was the thing to do on Sundays, not the NFL.
It might be because I’ve never had a team that I could root for. In the NBA, on the other hand, I’ve had a favorite team since I was a kid. I’m a huge fan of the Celtics, and I began watching them way back when. There’s something special about having a team that you’ve actually watched since they were just getting started.
The NFL just doesn’t have that same allure for me. Don’t get me wrong, I know the history behind the league. From players like Joe Montana, to teams that have won multiple Super Bowls, the NFL has some of the greatest stories in sports. But I just don’t feel the same connection to it that a lot of other people do.
I’m also not a big fan of how the league has treated its players. From labor disputes to disciplinary actions, I’ve seen NFL players treated as if they’re just pawns in some corporate game. And while I understand that some of the decisions were made in the interest of the “greater good,” I still feel like some of the players were unfairly treated.
There’s also the matter of the NFL’s image. I remember when I was a kid and the sport was revered as something sacred. Players and coaches alike were respected and admired. But now, it seems as if the NFL has taken a much darker turn for the worse. From the players involved in domestic violence cases to the recent allegations of drug use, the league seems to be in a never-ending spiral.
It’s also becoming way too commercialized for my liking. From the stadium sponsors to the TV ads, it’s hard to avoid all the excess. I like sports, but I don’t like when they become about money and profits before winning and competition.
So at the end of the day, I’ve made the conscious decision to stay away from the NFL. I just don’t feel a connection to the league, and there are too many red flags for me to ignore. I know I’m in the minority on this one, but it’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it.
Going beyond that view, I think the NFL has a particularly nefarious role in American culture, and it’s essential to recognize the damage it inflicts. From the perpetuation of an incredibly fanatical and often violent culture that centers around the league to the way the NFL skews political policies to benefit itself, some of the implications of the NFL are nightmarish and far-reaching.
I think it’s also worth noting that the NFL often awards huge payouts to players for on-field accomplishments that don’t necessarily impact the outcome of a game. Not only does this create a bogus incentive for players to overdo it and risk their health, but it also skews the way the game is played. Instead of working together as a team, some players are gunning for individual stats, and that’s not what the game is meant to be about.
Something else that strikes me about the NFL is the complete lack of responsibility it shows for its own actions. Whether it’s the way it handles domestic violence cases, its labor disputes, or its political power, the league often chooses to shift blame and walk away from its own responsibility. That type of lack of accountability isn’t something I want to be associated with.
Then there’s the often-befuddling issue of player safety. Despite its refusal to recognize the connection between head trauma and long-term health effects, the league continues to dish out huge contact penalties and suspensions for dangerous play. It’s a problem that the league has failed to address, and it’s one of many examples of its irresponsible behavior.
The bottom line is, the NFL does a lot more harm than it does good, and that’s why I choose to stay away from it. It’s an unethical league with a terrible track record, and I can’t in good conscience support it. There’s no shortage of sports on TV, and the NFL isn’t the only option. Maybe it’s time to try something new.