Poll Is the NFL hurting the entertainment value of the game?

by nateoak10 on Feb 20, 2012 1:06 AM CST

I'm writing a class research paper and part of my topic is that the NFL is ruining much of the entertainment value of pro football and it's main appeal, the violence of the sport. The NFL is a violent game and the league is trying to minimize that but they are also trying to protect the players we love to watch. What is your take on this issue? Please answer the poll question below

Note - I do not plan on using any of your quotes , if for some reason I did you will remain anonymous unless requested. Thank you

Poll

Is the NFL's goal of protecting the players hurting the entertainment aspect of the sport?

Yes

19 votes

No

19 votes

Other

2 votes

40 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

mixed

on one hand they’re cutting out on late, cheap hits. On the other, they’re adding a lot of grey areas that are slowly reducing the defensive factor of the game. I’m ok with 15 yds for headbutting a receiver on the chin while he’s on the air so hard his helmet decals fly off, but outlaw a perfectly fine blindside shoulder tackle on the ribs that causes a drop just because the receiver is not “established” or whatever they want to call it? BS.

The problem with Goddell is that he just sees entertainment when the ball is being thrown in the air. At this rate, his major accomplishment will be half the league with 5000yds passing.

by lmfsilva on Feb 20, 2012 1:19 AM CST reply actions

Your hypothesis is fundamentally flawed

part of my topic is that the NFL is ruining much of the entertainment value of pro football and it’s main appeal, the violence of the sport

First, you have to define violence. Is a hard, legal hit a violent hit? Or are only illegal hits considered violent? If legal hits are also violent, what amount of legal hits are violent and non-violent?

But your bigger problem is your underlying assumption that violence is the main appeal of the NFL. I wholeheartedly beg to differ. I don’t watch NFL games in order to watch violence. What percentage of fans consider violence to be the main appeal of the NFL? And in order to answer that question, first you must define violence (see above). Then you must measure the appeal of violence relative to the other reasons that fans watch the game. Only then can you make such an assumption.

And at that point – given the fact that ratings are high, and people are now watching the NFL Draft Combine live, I’d say “No”, the institution of new rules to curb needless injuries to star (skilled-position) players has not hurt the overall ratings nor entertainment value of the sport.

But this link probably says it better than I can:

Despite a schedule with the fewest games in sports, the NFL has 180 million fans and record TV ratings. It makes up for a lack of on-field action by transforming everything from highlights to league meetings into events.

by Sweetness Lives On on Feb 20, 2012 8:16 AM CST reply actions

Well that isnt my full thesis , just part of it

Violence is hard hits, the bang bang collisions the league is getting rid of

And I know violence isnt the only thing about the game but it is a part of it , i dont care for this topic if someone likes the strategy more then the hits. I just want to see if fans think the NFL is hurting 1 area of the sport which is violence

by nateoak10 on Feb 20, 2012 2:14 PM CST up reply actions

Are we naive?

To say that people do not watch football hoping to see a big hit is ridiculous. It adds to the game; which is why people jump out of their seats when the see James Harrison lay someone out. Do we want people hurt? Of course not.

I liken it to NASCAR. We like seeing the big crashes, we just do not like seeing people get hurt.

by thepreacher on Feb 20, 2012 3:01 PM CST up reply actions

Please never liken football to a non sport such as NASCAR.

That stuff is unwatchable. Other than that I agree with you completely. It’s why sports center highlights the “big hits”. This is a violent sport and hard nosed defense is always good to see. I just wish they’d get rid of the helmets and padding and make it a real sport that doesn’t allow “armor” to be used as a weapon. The helmets cause more injuries than they prevent. I won’t lead with my head if I can’t lead with my head.

Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.

by Just Dave on Feb 21, 2012 9:22 PM CST up reply actions