Dr. Dick Barnett

Too Big to Fail

Football

In this settled social sports environment, the specter and embedded elements of football has become part of the American culture.  Celebrated and lionized as a force for good youth activity that engenders and spread the disenable ingredients of competitiveness, sportsmanship, clean hard fun, and the establishment of hard work.

Through the rigors, discipline, and talented abilities of coaches, young players, unions, associations, and institutions, the ideals and principles of organized football has been ingrained as part of the sports lore of past decades and tradition.  This sport lore has been inculcated in the pee wee leagues as youngsters, budding high school athletes, and into the commercial enterprise of powerful and money making conferences, colleges, and universities, complimented with the commercial impact of money, media, and marketing.  Football has become the embodiment of the American dream, motherhood, and apple pie.

But, lurking in the shadows of this rare institution, and iconic segment of the national obsession, the realization is that danger lurks.  Danger that is inherent in this sociological infested addiction of competition, action heroes, and the dream makers that compose the money changers in this star driven society.

The inherent danger of violence threatens the make-up and fabric of this embedded traditional violent game.  The violence has been documented to try and change not only the health, and safety of individuals, but the life chances of young unknowing athletes over a period of time.  Monday Night Football help altered the culture, and the Super Bowl has become an unsanctioned holiday, but, regrettably, beyond the hype, theater, and glamour, are housed injured bodies, and damaged minds that may be ticking time bombs that might force the culture to face the ultimate question, is this game too dangerous, or has it become to big to fail.