The NFL season is 6 weeks away, getting ready to fuel testosterone loaded rants and create ‘Sunday Widows” — wives who are married to football faithfuls. I happen to be a football faithful. I love the game; hate the discomforting side of the NFL.
Football is embedded into the psyche of this nation, though the ugly side does rear its head. Ray Rice suspended for two games for physically abusing his wife, and dragging her out of an elevator. The images are disturbing and he deserves more than a slap on the wrist.
There has been a litany of litigation recited by NFL cheerleaders who work for less than 5 dollars an hour. Adding insult to injury, they must pass the ‘jiggle test” to be on the team. Way to treat America’s daughters and sisters!
One more thing. The league is being sued for over a billion dollars by its former players, many who live with traumatic head injuries and debilitating, chronic health conditions.
Football is a big money sport, where the rich get richer, and everyone else is on the periphery looking in. How much money is enough? Does the league have responsibilities that transcend dollars and cents? Will they ever do the right thing?
I have a sense that none of this will matter to a lot of people, as soon as the whistle blows to start the new season. That is the sad, and unpalatable part of sports.
About Hemant Rustogi
Hey Rusty,
Great reflection, as always. I am a huge fan of the NFL as well, more specifically I was born and bred in Maryland and am a Ravens fanatic! I agree with you, the punishment that Ray Rice received was not nearly enough from the league nor his organization. I do believe that his actions are just a symptom of a much larger societal issue. This issue is even affecting the college ranks. Just this week five members of the Texas Longhorns were dismissed from the team, one of them a young man for similar issues.
I am always up for a beer if you’d like to discuss this or any other issue that you are currently pondering. Let me know.
Best,
Cory