To be honest, the FIRST thing I thought when I
saw the #RayRice video was: "Is the #NFL doing enough to protect players from
#TraumaticBrainInjury and #concussions?" because I would not be surprised
if it plays a part in violence overall as well as poor judgement and impulse
control.
Do sports allow dangerous violence - much of which is integral to the game?
Does protective gear go far enough?
Do fans love a rough game, cheer on the most aggressive players?
Do teams put players back on the field too early? Do players hide injuries and symptoms so they won't be pulled from the game?
Concussions and whiplash are PART of football, like it or not. And week after week of hard hits does serious damage, not just physically but mentally and emotionally.
I do not in any way say head injures are an excuse for domestic violence or
violence in general, because there are so many players who DO NOT beat their
wives or girlfriends, and many people who do not play professional sports DO.
But head trauma and CTE are a dangerous reality of many sports, football and
boxing being at the top of the list.
This article is important, well written and honestly
quite fascinating - in a morose way: http://www.forbes.com/sites/dandiamond/2014/09/16/does-football-make-you-violent-examining-the-evidence
Heather J. Kirk
Art by Heather J. Kirk www.heather-kirk.artistwebsites.com
Literature by Heather J. Kirk http://www.photographicartistry.citymax.com/Books.html