I am out as a football fan

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 9:57 am

I wonder what Chuck Cecil thinks?

UALoco · Post by **UALoco** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 11:03 am

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 11:17 am

^

UCSB dropped football many years ago, but soccer attendance is near the top in the nation if not the top. When Cal Poly and UCSB play, they sell out and average over 10,000 per match.

Newportcat · Post by **Newportcat** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 8:01 pm

This dumbass

“Football players are kids attracted to chaos and risk,” Croson said. “Our world seems to be like trying to make us all the same and we aren’t. The fear of concussion isn’t anything like it was in the ’60s and ’70s because of the advancement in the game. USA football is doing tremendous work taking the head out of the game.”

Head football coaches kind of sound like tobacco executives

Football players are kids attracted to chaos and risk...so fucking stupid. Where in the world are they trying to make us the same? Maybe they are trying to protect kids brains

This is the game dying, they do the thing they need to do which is make the game safer but unfortunately it hurts the product on the field and in reality can not make it safer.

Less kids playing means less talent coming up in the ranks

How can I short football? Seems like easy money

Chicat · Post by **Chicat** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 8:09 pm

How exactly are you supposed to remove people’s heads from their shoulders?

Can defenders start doing flying karate side kicks to take their heads out of the equation?

If the NFL really wanted to stop players from using their heads as weapons, they’d outlaw the helmet.

catgrad97 · Post by **catgrad97** » Mon Aug 20, 2018 8:53 pm

Chicat wrote:How exactly are you supposed to remove people’s heads from their shoulders?

Can defenders start doing flying karate side kicks to take their heads out of the equation?

If the NFL really wanted to stop players from using their heads as weapons, they’d outlaw the helmet.

Football history's really obvious moments of injury threats we should have taken more seriously, Part I:

Many sources give credit for the creation of the helmet to James Naismith, while other sources credit U.S. Naval Academy Midshipman Joseph M. Reeves (later to become the "Father of Carrier Aviation"), who had a protective device for his head made out of mole skin to allow him to play in the 1893 Army-Navy game. Reeves had been advised by a Navy doctor that another kick to his head would result in "instant insanity" or even death, so he commissioned an Annapolis shoemaker to make him a helmet out of leather.

http://www.pasttimesports.biz/history.html" target="_blank

Newportcat · Post by **Newportcat** » Tue Aug 21, 2018 5:23 am

Chicat wrote:How exactly are you supposed to remove people’s heads from their shoulders?

Can defenders start doing flying karate side kicks to take their heads out of the equation?

If the NFL really wanted to stop players from using their heads as weapons, they’d outlaw the helmet.

I have read reports discussing playing without helmets could be much safer. I would tend to agree with them but the challenge will be the NFL will never do it as it would turn off a lot of fans who like the hitting.

Couple articles on it

https://deadspin.com/the-one-thing-the- ... 1758114037" target="_blank

https://thinkprogress.org/could-getting ... 93ffe5c32/" target="_blank

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Tue Aug 21, 2018 6:07 am

Recall discussing this back at the TOS.

One of the most dangerous things boxing did was to introduce gloves into the ring. Without gloves, the boxers saved their fists by hitting the softer parts of the body, such as the stomach. With gloves, boxers started going after the head. Boxers then became "punch drunk", such as Jerry Quarry if you remember him.

I was looking into comparing rugby with other sports, esp for youth, due to the lack of pads and helmets, and the need to tackle using your arms:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-heal ... RE20151216" target="_blank

The concussion rate was about 18 times higher than average for rugby, five times greater for hockey, and roughly double for American football, the study found. ... The overall concussion risk across all of the sports included in the analysis was 0.23 injuries per 1,000 AEs.Dec 16, 2015

More good reading:

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Sat Aug 25, 2018 10:25 am

Newportcat · Post by **Newportcat** » Sat Sep 01, 2018 7:34 am

I am really struggling with quitting being a football fan entirely. Quitting fantasy football was much easier then I thought it would be and do not miss watching or caring about the NFL at all. Literally by this time of year I would have known who ever 3rd string running back was for every time and watched a decent amount of preseason games to find the breakout stars.

But college football, specifically Arizona football, is going to be a struggle. I have gone back and forth on it as being an Arizona football fan has been a passion of mine for so long. Not sure it is going to be easy to do. This time of year I would be bantering a ton with various fans on various platforms about the upcoming season etc. I honestly miss that a lot. I also miss discussing potential breakout stars for our team and having that feeling of maybe this is the year we breakthrough

For all the reasons I hate the NFL it feels like college is different in many ways. Feels pure and I know how important it is to our athletic department and really our school brand.

Sorry for the rant, just being honest. I really am struggling more then I thought quitting football cold turkey

prh · Post by **prh** » Sat Sep 01, 2018 9:24 am

Newportcat wrote:I am really struggling with quitting being a football fan entirely. Quitting fantasy football was much easier then I thought it would be and do not miss watching or caring about the NFL at all. Literally by this time of year I would have known who ever 3rd string running back was for every time and watched a decent amount of preseason games to find the breakout stars.

But college football, specifically Arizona football, is going to be a struggle. I have gone back and forth on it as being an Arizona football fan has been a passion of mine for so long. Not sure it is going to be easy to do. This time of year I would be bantering a ton with various fans on various platforms about the upcoming season etc. I honestly miss that a lot. I also miss discussing potential breakout stars for our team and having that feeling of maybe this is the year we breakthrough

For all the reasons I hate the NFL it feels like college is different in many ways. Feels pure and I know how important it is to our athletic department and really our school brand.

Sorry for the rant, just being honest. I really am struggling more then I thought quitting football cold turkey

Hey man I don't have much to say to help, but just know that we all have your back. Let us know if there's anything we can do to help. I agree that college feels much different, more pure. Also, if you do decide to come back to college football, just hope you don't feel guilt or anything about it. Do what's best for you Newport

Chicat · Post by **Chicat** » Sat Sep 01, 2018 9:46 am

Newport, I feel you man. The guilt I have going through injury reports to get ready for fantasy drafts is real. Am I going to be that guy who is happy when an opponent's player is out because he's got a body part that may never stop hurting? Or who is one step closer to a suicidal end because of CTE?

I'm excited that college football is back. I also feel like an asshole for being excited college football is back. Ugh, this sucks.

Alieberman · Post by **Alieberman** » Sat Sep 01, 2018 10:14 am

Newport, I totally understand and I'm not too far off from where you are.

I feel like I'm at a good place right now. I gave up fantasy years ago (very easy) and then I just started watching (and caring) less and less each year. I basically don't watch any NFL anymore, but I still follow my Bears (Did you see see they just traded for Khalil Mack? That's a great move for them, but I still probably won't watch any of their games this year, maybe just some highlights) And college football, I still follow UofA... will read all about them, watch a couple games... but that's it. I certainly don't live and die anymore with wins or losses. And Bowl games... I'll probably just watch the championship game.

I don't know how you go from being 100% invested to zero.... it's unrealistic... but weening yourself off is very easy to do and soon you'll forget that you are missing "The Big Game"

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Sat Sep 01, 2018 12:57 pm

Lots of Raiders fans where I live, a lot, and seeing on FB they are very upset about that trade.

Outside of the UA, I won't watch any other games, college or pro so 13 games tops. Won't even finish 2 out of the first 3 due to late games unless they are real nail biters.

If Foles is in the Superbowl again will probably watch that though.

CalStateTempe · Post by **CalStateTempe** » Sun Sep 02, 2018 9:56 am

After the World Cup and with the start of August, I’ve started watching a lot of euro soccer on Bein.

Yesterday was was flipping between the Paris st germain game and the UCLA Cincinnati game. In additional to everything above and injuries, for me my tastes are changing and soccer is just much more an enjoyable game to watch. I like the fluid play and the strategy consistently changes. American football is just so boring and predictable.

And having Arizona football be what it is, doesn’t help.

I’m not out, but I’m certainly not “dining in” anymore. Likely will only watch uofa and that’s it.

Carcassdragger · Post by **Carcassdragger** » Sun Sep 02, 2018 11:37 am

You're right. Arizona football sucks.

But saying how much you enjoy soccer while calling American football boring? Dude.

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Sun Sep 02, 2018 11:40 am

Carcassdragger wrote:You're right. Arizona football sucks.

But saying how much you enjoy soccer while calling American football boring? Dude.

Yea as much as I've checked out of football the last 5 years I can't get on board the soccer train.

ASUHATER! · Post by **ASUHATER!** » Sun Sep 02, 2018 11:44 am

Yeah I don't think I'll ever like soccer. Literally nothing happens before the 80 minute mark in almost every game.

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Sun Sep 02, 2018 12:06 pm

Used to watch a bit of soccer on TV when my kids used to play it, but lost interest when they did.

Think the last match I ever watched was the US women playing Japan in the Olympics. US outplayed Japan the entire game but couldn't hit the PKs in OT.

catgrad97 · Post by **catgrad97** » Sun Sep 02, 2018 1:02 pm

Gotta be honest, yesterday's dud debut was one more nail in the coffin of my Arizona football fandom.

Might have one left, but no more. There is so, so, soooooo much more to life than trying to play Lazarus to the unrevivable.

pc in NM · Post by **pc in NM** » Sun Sep 02, 2018 2:11 pm

What will the U of A do with all the football facilities when the program ends?

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Sun Sep 02, 2018 2:17 pm

pc in NM wrote:What will the U of A do with all the football facilities when the program ends?

Same thing other schools do.

Newportcat · Post by **Newportcat** » Sun Sep 02, 2018 3:55 pm

Well I am glad I missed nothing!

One thing I can confidently say is Kevin Sumlin will not work out well. You never hire a retread coach in any college sport especially football. It so very rarely works out. If you can’t be successful at a job like Texas A&M with all their advantages, almost zero chance you will be successful at a really hard job like Arizona.

My advice to anyone continuing to follow our team, don’t get excited until we start bringing in top 25 recruiting classes (which Sumlin feels incapable of at Arizona). Don’t ever buy the hype with Arizona football until recruiting dramatically changes which in my opinion it never will. I just don’t see Arizona ever bringing in great talent consistently for football.

I will admit quitting being a football fan is probably going to be much easier without a true NFL team and having Arizona as my alma mater. Not like I went to Alabama or a traditional football power like that

I do appreciate everyone’s thoughts here too

MrMeow · Post by **MrMeow** » Mon Sep 03, 2018 11:55 am

As of Saturday, if I have nothing better to do I will watch a UA football game. Otherwise, I'm with Newport. Dunzo.

Speaking of retreads, how about Mazzone? Dude's older than dirt and he still doesn't get it.

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Mon Sep 03, 2018 12:09 pm

Since my wife works nights now it's gonna boil down to whether or not she's working. If she is I'll probably be bored enough to flip between Netflix and the game. If she's off we'll be out doing something away from the TV.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Mon Sep 03, 2018 12:10 pm

catgrad97 wrote:Gotta be honest, yesterday's dud debut was one more nail in the coffin of my Arizona football fandom.

Might have one left, but no more. There is so, so, soooooo much more to life than trying to play Lazarus to the unrevivable.

I've long thought the only way to be an Arizona football fan is to accept that the disappointment is inevitable. The lower you keep the overall expectations, the more you can enjoy the achieveable things, like occasionally knocking off a good team and occasionally contending for a South title.

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Mon Sep 03, 2018 12:28 pm

Spaceman Spiff wrote:
catgrad97 wrote:Gotta be honest, yesterday's dud debut was one more nail in the coffin of my Arizona football fandom.

Might have one left, but no more. There is so, so, soooooo much more to life than trying to play Lazarus to the unrevivable.
I've long thought the only way to be an Arizona football fan is to accept that the disappointment is inevitable. The lower you keep the overall expectations, the more you can enjoy the achieveable things, like occasionally knocking off a good team and occasionally contending for a South title.

Yeap. Solidly in this camp now. I used to get upset when we lost or blew an opportunity or got embarrassed on national TV but now I just shrug and move on within 5 minutes. Hell I was over last week's disaster by the 3rs quarter when it was apparent we weren't going to win.

CalStateTempe · Post by **CalStateTempe** » Mon Sep 03, 2018 1:18 pm

scumdevils86 wrote:
Spaceman Spiff wrote:
catgrad97 wrote:Gotta be honest, yesterday's dud debut was one more nail in the coffin of my Arizona football fandom.

Might have one left, but no more. There is so, so, soooooo much more to life than trying to play Lazarus to the unrevivable.
I've long thought the only way to be an Arizona football fan is to accept that the disappointment is inevitable. The lower you keep the overall expectations, the more you can enjoy the achieveable things, like occasionally knocking off a good team and occasionally contending for a South title.
Yeap. Solidly in this camp now. I used to get upset when we lost or blew an opportunity or got embarrassed on national TV but now I just shrug and move on within 5 minutes. Hell I was over last week's disaster by the 3rs quarter when it was apparent we weren't going to win.

Yup.

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Mon Sep 03, 2018 1:30 pm

If you have pretty low expectations it's hard to get disappointed.

Unlike my take on the basketball program, which I never expect them to lose a single game.

Alieberman · Post by **Alieberman** » Mon Sep 03, 2018 2:29 pm

Especially on late game starts, it's nice to go to bed at halftime and not really care what happens in the 2nd half!

Newportcat · Post by **Newportcat** » Thu Sep 06, 2018 7:41 am

Spaceman Spiff wrote:
catgrad97 wrote:Gotta be honest, yesterday's dud debut was one more nail in the coffin of my Arizona football fandom.

Might have one left, but no more. There is so, so, soooooo much more to life than trying to play Lazarus to the unrevivable.
I've long thought the only way to be an Arizona football fan is to accept that the disappointment is inevitable. The lower you keep the overall expectations, the more you can enjoy the achieveable things, like occasionally knocking off a good team and occasionally contending for a South title.

This is really true and candidly reading about Saturday's loss has made my decision to do everything possible to quit being a football fan much easier. I think part of the reason I was still struggling with my decision was thinking, crap this is the year Arizona does something with a potential Heisman candidate at QB and a legit coach who actually knows how to recruit.

Then obviously the game happened and from reading about it, its clear Khalil is not a Heisman candidate, our OL and DL are still awful as they have basically been since I started following the team in 1999, and Sumlin is a retread coach who only was a great recruiter because he was at Texas A&M where even Machina could recruit great talent. Our current recruiting class is actually worse then a Rich Rod class. Clear he is not the answer as if you read what Texas A&M fans said about him they were ecstatic to fire him. Iowa Fans are still pissed Lute left them for Arizona and they have never really recovered. Thats a sign when you hire a good coach. Xavier fans at the time were pissed Sean Miller left for us too. When we hired Augie Busch to coach our swimming team I imagine Virginia was upset about it. When we hired John Wackovic I remember a Texas fan telling me "You are screwed". My Michigan buddies all said Dick Rod was a bum too.

Since 1999, Arizona has beaten ASU and won a Bowl game (Any Bowl game) once. 2008. So basically last twenty years we have had one good season as I think beating ASU and winning any type of bowl game would be the mark of a good season.

Basically giving up being an Arizona football fan is easy because giving up something that consistently disappoints is easy. It like quitting a drug that makes you feel worse instead of better. I will always miss the banter and getting into good discussions and arguments about it but thankfully Machina still posts on the basketball boards talking about practice so that will live on just fine.

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Mon Sep 17, 2018 5:29 pm

10 years is very long in football years. Props to him.

But this is still funny

ASUHATER! · Post by **ASUHATER!** » Mon Sep 17, 2018 5:49 pm

I totally support the guy having the light bulb go off and wanting to retire and realizing he can't do it anymore... but literally just walking out on the team at halftime and quitting is kind of a dick move.

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Tue Sep 25, 2018 11:12 am

prh · Post by **prh** » Tue Sep 25, 2018 1:31 pm

Meanwhile Clay Matthews is complaining about the league going soft. As unpopular as they've been, the changes the NFL has made are actually really good. It's just a small step, but one forward nonetheless.

Newportcat · Post by **Newportcat** » Tue Sep 25, 2018 8:32 pm

prh wrote:Meanwhile Clay Matthews is complaining about the league going soft. As unpopular as they've been, the changes the NFL has made are actually really good. It's just a small step, but one forward nonetheless.

I fucking hate football now. Not even hard anymore to be a fan considering all the people complaining about the game getting soft or being too left wing. I saw the Clay Mathews hit and didn’t see the game dying, I saw Alex smith dying. I saw Alex Smith getting his head slammed into the turf causing long term brain damage that will show up later in life. So many people complaining about the hit not realizing what is really going on.

I am disgusted at football now. Thankfully the game is going to die a quicker death then many think. Because the NFL is doing what it has to do to protect players which will ruin the game for many as in reality there is no way to make the game safe. The game is inherently unsafe.

It is crazy how quickly I turned. It’s like I have woken up and seen the light.

RIP to real football

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Tue Sep 25, 2018 9:21 pm

Pretty simple really, they are today's gladiators and they trot out for the Romans who want to see blood. While I only watch college football I think the demise of the NFL will ultimately be the death of the sport

PHXCATS · Post by **PHXCATS** » Tue Sep 25, 2018 9:24 pm

Newportcat wrote:
prh wrote:Meanwhile Clay Matthews is complaining about the league going soft. As unpopular as they've been, the changes the NFL has made are actually really good. It's just a small step, but one forward nonetheless.
I fucking hate football now. Not even hard anymore to be a fan considering all the people complaining about the game getting soft or being too left wing. I saw the Clay Mathews hit and didn’t see the game dying, I saw Alex smith dying. I saw Alex Smith getting his head slammed into the turf causing long term brain damage that will show up later in life. So many people complaining about the hit not realizing what is really going on.

I am disgusted at football now. Thankfully the game is going to die a quicker death then many think. Because the NFL is doing what it has to do to protect players which will ruin the game for many as in reality there is no way to make the game safe. The game is inherently unsafe.

It is crazy how quickly I turned. It’s like I have woken up and seen the light.

Or fans know that Smith made the choice to play fully known all risks involved and is paid very well for taking said risk under his full control

84Cat · Post by **84Cat** » Tue Sep 25, 2018 9:39 pm

It will follow boxing. Eventually, the best athletes will play other sports and football will die and then resurface as something else.

Chicat · Post by **Chicat** » Wed Sep 26, 2018 4:19 am

PHXCATS wrote:
Newportcat wrote:
prh wrote:Meanwhile Clay Matthews is complaining about the league going soft. As unpopular as they've been, the changes the NFL has made are actually really good. It's just a small step, but one forward nonetheless.
I fucking hate football now. Not even hard anymore to be a fan considering all the people complaining about the game getting soft or being too left wing. I saw the Clay Mathews hit and didn’t see the game dying, I saw Alex smith dying. I saw Alex Smith getting his head slammed into the turf causing long term brain damage that will show up later in life. So many people complaining about the hit not realizing what is really going on.

I am disgusted at football now. Thankfully the game is going to die a quicker death then many think. Because the NFL is doing what it has to do to protect players which will ruin the game for many as in reality there is no way to make the game safe. The game is inherently unsafe.

It is crazy how quickly I turned. It’s like I have woken up and seen the light.
Or fans know that Smith made the choice to play fully known all risks involved and is paid very well for taking said risk under his full control

Does he know ALL the risks involved. Bold statement when balanced against the lengths the NFL has gone in the past to hide what it knows about the long term health effects of playing the game.

Newportcat · Post by **Newportcat** » Wed Sep 26, 2018 5:00 am

Really dumb quote from Jason Witten...

prh · Post by **prh** » Wed Sep 26, 2018 8:00 am

This roughing the quarterback rule has been around since 1995 and just not enforced. Painfully awkward to hear Witten complain about it considering that these exact plays are what repeatedly injured Tony Romo and ultimately ended his career.

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Wed Sep 26, 2018 8:32 am

Local to me, but this should be required for all high schools and colleges.

When the UA put Tuitama in a special anti-concussion helmet, I was thinking "why don't they do that for all players?"

84Cat · Post by **84Cat** » Sat Sep 29, 2018 10:49 am

Clemson says hi.

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Mon Oct 01, 2018 5:55 pm

Two stories on NBC tonight.

Newportcat · Post by **Newportcat** » Tue Oct 02, 2018 6:05 am

84Cat wrote:Clemson says hi.

This play is indicative for why football is just a dirty sport

Linebacker didn’t lead with his head at all but his shoulder

He did nothing illegal but that hit had to have caused major damage to trevor some of which won’t be known for a while

Newportcat · Post by **Newportcat** » Tue Oct 02, 2018 6:12 am

PHXCATS wrote:
Newportcat wrote:
prh wrote:Meanwhile Clay Matthews is complaining about the league going soft. As unpopular as they've been, the changes the NFL has made are actually really good. It's just a small step, but one forward nonetheless.
I fucking hate football now. Not even hard anymore to be a fan considering all the people complaining about the game getting soft or being too left wing. I saw the Clay Mathews hit and didn’t see the game dying, I saw Alex smith dying. I saw Alex Smith getting his head slammed into the turf causing long term brain damage that will show up later in life. So many people complaining about the hit not realizing what is really going on.

I am disgusted at football now. Thankfully the game is going to die a quicker death then many think. Because the NFL is doing what it has to do to protect players which will ruin the game for many as in reality there is no way to make the game safe. The game is inherently unsafe.

It is crazy how quickly I turned. It’s like I have woken up and seen the light.
Or fans know that Smith made the choice to play fully known all risks involved and is paid very well for taking said risk under his full control

This is the argument some of my friends make. Most know football is very dirty so they don’t try and argue with me on it but do state what you said which is it’s a free country and Alex smith is getting paid well to play so everything is fine

My attitude is a couple fold

1. I think people are just now knowing the risks of playing from a CTE perspective and NFL did a horrible job hiding the true risks for many years
2. NFL is notarious for under paying players especially when it comes to guaranteed contracts like NBA or MLB. And what about college players who are not paid at all. What do they get? A free scholarship sure but ironic they get a free education by playing a sport that damages their brains.
3. Most importantly, you are ok watching a game knowing people are doing long term brain damage to themselves? You like watching people do herion too? This is what I don’t get. Finding enjoyment in something that is so bad for the people who play it. When I really studied CTE it just made me sick to know how big a football fan I had been.

Newportcat · Post by **Newportcat** » Fri Oct 12, 2018 8:05 am

Just Sad

https://sports.yahoo.com/brain-former-u ... 48548.html" target="_blank

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Wed Oct 17, 2018 8:44 am

Newportcat · Post by **Newportcat** » Sun Nov 04, 2018 6:34 am

Whats the point of being a college football fan anyways if your team is not Alabama and then maybe Clemson and thats about it. Maybe Georgia too.

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