Quickie: I have a question...

I'm just going to leave this right here.

It isn't exactly accurate to say, as some have said, that the research isn't out there to suggest the degree to which football can do damage to young brains, at least of high school age.

It's one study, and others are going to be needed, to be sure. But it is not anything to be ignored.

And hosanna gloria, the study is focusing on subconcussive brain trauma. At least somebody out there seems to be getting it.

But do read the whole thing through, and you'll get why I have a little question.

OK, so the research here seems to be designed for the purpose of developing better headgear. I presume that this better headgear will be intended for all sports (since the report seems to indicate that women's high school soccer produces about as much of this damaging effect as football).

But, then, this quote:

"You're not going to change the game. You are not going to get rid of the game, at least. So how can you make changes that keep the spirit of the game there, keep players enjoying, keep fans enjoying the game but at the same time be safe," 

Really?

This brings up a rather disturbing tendency that seems to be jumping out at me so far: even those medical professionals who are drawn into this concern seem to be acting out of an impulse that doesn't make sense for a medical professional.

To put it bluntly: should a doctor's first concern be for the health of those who are trusting them with their health, or to preserve the game of football?

Am I the only one who is deeply bothered by this?

You know, football has changed fundamentally before in order to keep from being banned. Remember Teddy Roosevelt? All of a sudden it was o.k. to throw the football forward, across the line of scrimmage, which was about as drastic and fundamental a change as possible. And in retrospect, the game seems to have coped with that drastic change just fine.

So why is it today that the game must not be changed? Is football really this unalterable edifice that must not be altered or refined, but that must be paid obesiance by all others? Is it truly necessary that players, fans, coaches, and all others -- even those who don't follow or watch the game -- must pay homage to the game, or The Game, as unmovable and fixed object of reverence?

Is football really what this describes it (in the most theological sense of the word) to be?

And if it really is this, what the Hell (in the most theological sense of the word) are we doing bowing down to it?

And how many are at the shrine right now?