Pimentel 1

Michael Pimentel Professor Jackie English 114 27 November 2013 Word Count: 1481 Football in the Eyes of Many Football is one of the most sought after sports in the United States. American football is what it is labeled in other countries that are not in the western world; we embraced the fact that its one of the things that makes America unique. In recent years, football has been questioned by many about the safety precautions placed for concussions. Football has also been questioned by many people about their policies towards concussions which have questioned their faith of football with their religion. People need to understand that football is a way that many young men can show their relationship with God or improve their character skills. Football is one of the sports that allow the game to be a catalyst for an individual to connect with their religious beliefs. Football is one of the most dangerous sports to play, but has so many positive outcomes when you do it. Football is a game that is designed for hard work and dedication. However, society begins to have that idea that this game is no longer a blessing for their kids to play. They act like it was an abrupt situation that came up this generation. They knew what they were getting themselves into. Playing football has been a major factor in players recent illnesses in their later years, but its what they signed up for. Many people have their own opinion toward this situation, but there really shouldnt be because its one of the things that bring people together to have fun. I feel that people have lost the sense of why kids play this game. Its a game

Pimentel 2

where they are no longer criticized about what they are or who they are in society. Some would rather play this game with a concussion than not playing at all. For example Chris Deilman, former San Diego Charger offensive lineman, said that he would, rather be on the field with his teammates hurt rather than just stand on the sideline. This game allows the individual to exceed in a skillset that God has placed upon them and it gives them an opportunity to be who they really are. It allows an individuals religious standpoint to blossom into something beautiful, which is what it should be. Football is a way for people to express their religious views, especially Christianity. Its not a bad thing to support a game that allows people to build character when they are down. We need to be reminded that we do not just surrender our brains to Christ, we surrender our very selves, including our bodies (Scribner, Para 10). In many peoples religious beliefs, the main concepts to understand it are faith, sacrifice, and unselfishness. Without these three concepts, it would be very difficult to follow the beliefs told in the bible. The bible talks about how we need to sacrifice ourselves for the benefit of others. There is also a saying in the bible to be a giving person. These two little examples can easily be practiced by playing football. When I was in high school, I was on the football team for all four years. Before I joined, I had no idea what football was all about. I knew the basics such as the offense, defense, and the special teams. However, I had no clue about the other aspects of the game. Me being myself, I wanted to try something new, so I signed up. As the years went by I began to notice all of the other things that people dont see in this sport like the commitment, sacrifice, trust, and rewards. After playing this sport, it made me realize that football made me learn how to practice those concepts. It pretty much was required in order to be part of a team. You wouldnt be considered part of the team if you dont have trust in others, have as much commitment as the person right next to you, or learn

Pimentel 3

from your mistakes. Those aspects of the game drove me to where I am today. I realized earlier than everyone else that there is more in this life that we are never going to be prepared for. Its just how you pick that situation up and run with it. Nothing is ever there forever, so if you dont take advantage of it, then someone else will. Athletes with religious beliefs actually depend on those beliefs when they play because it provides them with a level of security. For example Troy Polamalu, current safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers, prays after every play he is in to give him the security that God is on his side. Learning the ways of football can lead to becoming a catalyst for being a better individual. Safety has been one of the major things that people are afraid about when it comes to football, but many organizations and leagues are stepping up and changing that. For example, the NFL has placed many more policies towards player safety. They made it nearly impossible for players to go back into a game if they received a concussion or any time of significant injury. So, associations and organizations are starting to take extreme precaution with this type of injury because of its deadly side effects. Christians still take it that its still not enough. There will always be concussions and injuries in this world, so what makes them think that there wont be one when a player is playing football? Due to many complaints and cases towards the NFL about their policies, they have tightened their regulations about this matter as the years go by. In my opinion, these policy restrictions are ruining the game. I keep on seeing many fines and suspensions to players that place big hits or illegal hits on other players. In reality, it is really hard to move your body into a legal hit because of the ridiculous speed that football is played in. These fines have gone all the way to suspensions of games. I find that extremely unfair. Players ten years ago didnt get fined for those things, so why should players this generation be blamed for being, too rough? The sad thing is that I cant blame the league for placing those

Pimentel 4

regulations. Society is the one putting so much pressure on the league to make the game safer that they have to come up with ways to limit the dangerous big hits. The game may be dangerous, but there are many things that help make it more and more safe. Rules have been placed that improve the odds of not getting injured such as the concussion policy, equipment, and padding requirements. If the players do not follow all of those rules, they will not be able to play in that game, so the league is doing its best to make the game safer. There are two different views about football in peoples eyes. It is either looking at the character building sport that improves young peoples passion, skill, or faith if it applies to them. Then there is the view of the few negatives about playing this sport. Looking at it I realized that this game allows a better passage way to be in touch with God. It also provides security that you will get out of the game in one piece. The sport of football did not unmake me as a Christian; it made me a better one as it has done for hundreds of thousands of other men (McDaniel, Para 33). Football is the most watched sport in the United States for a reason. People are educated well enough to understand that this sport is more than just a game. It shows a persons true colors and where they are most at peace with themselves. For people to stop watching this game is more like a slap in the face for the players in the game. I Corinthians 4:2 tells us that we are stewards (managers) of all that God gives us, and we are to be faithful (McDaniel, Para 17). In the bible, this means that people need to take advantage of what God has given them. In this case, these athletes have been given the gift to excel at sports. They want to show others what their spirit has to offer and for people to say they dont want to watch that is disrespectful in my eyes.

Pimentel 5

Works Cited Hegedus, Nathan. The Morning News. Let Football Live. November 7, 2013. Web. November 15, 2013. McDaniel, Rick. Fox News. Football vs. Faithcan you love football yet still be a good Christian? September 7, 2013. Web. November 15, 2013. Scribner, Herb. Desert News. Christians debate their role in NFL in wake of documentary on concussions. October 10, 2013. Web. November 10, 2013.

Pimentel 6