Buffalo Bills Damar Hamlin

[AuH2O]

I know plenty of people that watch racing for the wrecks.

I thought of that as well. But how many racing fans does this sustain? I have always heard people say this, and certainly the danger and risk of a wreck adds a level of intensity, but it’s hard to imagine that people that checked out racing initially for the wrecks didn’t either become legitimate fans or eventually stop watching.

Outside of UFC and boxing it’s hard to believe that the violence itself is the primary draw for a majority of football or racing fans. It seems like a great race without wrecks would still be appreciated by most racing fans. Just like a great game without a bunch of huge hits is still appreciated by most football fans. The violence certainly draws some fans, but I don’t think that’s the primary reason fans still tune in.

 

[keepngoal]

Then why do you think it's unrealistic to consider cancelling the ones with no playoff implications?

Because it’s not what you want it to be.

 

[madguy30]

CyJack/Bode doing things like they do.

Quite a snowball effect.

 

[CyJack13]

So what’s your take then? Cancel the entire season? Completely ban football in general? If players don’t want to play anymore they can retire. They don’t have to get paid millions to do this.

I've already said what I thought was reasonable, let the players vote if they want to play the games between eliminated teams. I understand the money aspect of this won't let that happen for games with playoff implications. That's it.

 

[RustShack]

Then why do you think it's unrealistic to consider cancelling the ones with no playoff implications?

Some people like to get paid.

 

[isufbcurt]

I thought of that as well. But how many racing fans does this sustain? I have always heard people say this, and certainly the danger and risk of a wreck adds a level of intensity, but it’s hard to imagine that people that checked out racing initially for the wrecks didn’t either become legitimate fans or eventually stop watching.

Outside of UFC and boxing it’s hard to believe that the violence itself is the primary draw for a majority of football or racing fans. It seems like a great race without wrecks would still be appreciated by most racing fans. Just like a great game without a bunch of huge hits is still appreciated by most football fans. The violence certainly draws some fans, but I don’t think that’s the primary reason fans still tune in.

Honestly more than I care to admit.

 

[Mr Janny]

I wonder if the league is considering cancelling any games on Sunday where there are no playoff implications.

How many games would that actually be? 2? 3?
It would be a nearly empty gesture.

Also, some players have performance based bonuses in their contracts. I doubt the player's union would go for it.

 

[AuH2O]

Honestly more than I care to admit.

That’s pretty sad. I always thought there was a percentage of fans that for some reason didn’t want to admit they like watching racing because it’s considered too redneck, so they claimed they just watch for the wrecks. Seems like the number of big wrecks in the typical long ass race is pretty small.

 

[NWICY]

Am I the only one that has had a work colleague die? It sucks but stuff still needs to get done. Life goes on. Hopefully this young man recoveries fully and gets to decide if he wants to play FB or move onto the next stage of his life. Canceling games probably isn't even on the radar.

 

[1100011CS]

Am I the only one that has had a work colleague die? It sucks but stuff still needs to get done. Life goes on. Hopefully this young man recoveries fully and gets to decide if he wants to play FB or move onto the next stage of his life. Canceling games probably isn't even on the radar.

Yeah, but did your job *cause* the death(s)? But, I agree that cancelling more games isn't going to happen.

 

[CoachHines3]

Am I the only one that has had a work colleague die? It sucks but stuff still needs to get done. Life goes on. Hopefully this young man recoveries fully and gets to decide if he wants to play FB or move onto the next stage of his life. Canceling games probably isn't even on the radar.

i understand why they suspended the game-

suspending games/cancelling games beyond that is silly.

 

[1100011CS]

So, would a flak jacket of some sort prevent this injury?

Reposting this since it got lost in the game canceling hubbub. Seems like you could wear something fairly unobtrusive to prevent this.

 

[RustShack]

If any game is cancelled, it’s the Bills by forfeit, and I doubt that even happens. They will likely rally around their teammate and throttle the Patriots.

 

[RustShack]

So, would a flak jacket of some sort prevent this injury?

I think some QB’s wear one, or used to. Or something similar. Not sure how common it is anymore, especially the more mobile they are now which probably should be more reason to wear one but yeah.

 

[ISUTex]

Would you tell this to players at the game last night? You knew the risks, get back on the field!

Nobody told them that last night. You're talking about a week later. And the guy didn't die. He's probably going to be fine.

 

[jdoggivjc]

Perhaps this has already been posted, and I'm not going through 20+ pages that have been posted since last night, but what I heard on the radio this morning could be a very good reason why they waited half an hour plus before they cancelled the game: if you cancel the game immediately and announce it, and fans leave the stadium and jam up the parking lot and nearby streets and freeways... and the ambulance hasn't even left the stadium yet when a player has suffered cardiac arrest and they're trying to keep him alive - that would be a freaking disaster.

I'm not saying that's 100% the reason why they waited as long as they did to cancel the game, but it would make a hell of a lot of sense if that was the reason.

 

[HFCS]

Am I the only one that has had a work colleague die? It sucks but stuff still needs to get done. Life goes on. Hopefully this young man recoveries fully and gets to decide if he wants to play FB or move onto the next stage of his life. Canceling games probably isn't even on the radar.

Farming is really dangerous, probably exponentially more dangerous than football. My grandpa's farm kept operating after he was killed in an accident on the job. The local community pitched in and helped with what was needed.

The difference is we don't sit and cheer for farmers and construction workers.

That's an interesting debate to have. All are jobs, all are voluntary. Does it matter if the dangerous job entertains people or not?

I think in some ways football has actually progressed because they at least don't try to hide the danger as much. In the end at some point it could be seen as something that isn't essential like farming/construction/manufacturing.

 

[FriendlySpartan]

Nobody told them that last night. You're talking about a week later. And the guy didn't die. He's probably going to be fine.

We have no idea if he will be fine…

 

[houjix]

Perhaps this has already been posted, and I'm not going through 20+ pages that have been posted since last night, but what I heard on the radio this morning could be a very good reason why they waited half an hour plus before they cancelled the game: if you cancel the game immediately and announce it, and fans leave the stadium and jam up the parking lot and nearby streets and freeways... and the ambulance hasn't even left the stadium yet when a player has suffered cardiac arrest and they're trying to keep him alive - that would be a freaking disaster.

I'm not saying that's 100% the reason why they waited as long as they did to cancel the game, but it would make a hell of a lot of sense if that was the reason.

That's probably a good enough reason, but they likely wouldn't have made any decision until the ambulance was on it's way regardless.

 

[cysmiley]

How many games would that actually be? 2? 3?
It would be a nearly empty gesture.

Also, some players have performance based bonuses in their contracts. I doubt the player's union would go for it.

Plus all the support people losing paychecks, janitors, concessionaire, ushers, security, etc. Its a seasonal job so they probably need that paycheck.