We live in a football town. Kids are playing team level tackle football by 4th grade. Only 1 other boy in my sons class has chosen not to play football. They play in different towns so there is even a little town on town rivalry.

My husband is a diehard college and pro football fan. My oldest son played football and every other game that has a ball. He loved !!!!!!!! tackling, being tackled, the strategy - the whole 9 yards.

But......... my heart stopped last night when the player who was tackled looked as if his neck was broken.

Anyone else go through this?

Linda

By Enchens on Monday, February 2, 2009 - 09:54 pm:

I didn't watch the game in it's entirety, and when I was watching, I wasn't really watching.

Dh and I went to a high school football game when ds was about 6 months old. We were close to the sidelines and we heard all sorts of horrible sounds while the teams played. The sounds of the helmets crashing into stuff, the pads and all the equipment the players wear were just too much for us. We decided NO FOOTBALL, period. It just seems like such a risky game. They can watch all they want, they are not allowed to play it at school. They play with their cousins, but even a friendly game can turn terrible. Dh has a close cousin whose arm and hand have pins in them due to a football injury while playing a friendly game at the park.

By Feona on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 - 07:45 am:

My friend wanted to watch because of some cub scout thing. But those guys really play to win and they don't seem to care if they break someone's neck or break their own neck.

I would be scared to death to play with them.

John watched the end and he said it was very close at the end and very exciting. He made it sound so good I wished I watched the end.

By ~harlena on Thursday, February 5, 2009 - 06:13 am:

This was the first year we didn't go to a Super Bowl party at my mil's .... not that I really care, they have a bet going on, I always choose the underdog, we have dinner, everyone (us, my aunt and uncle in-law, and sometimes another aunt at my mil's) always leaves at halftime. We can get home (an hour away) before the end of the game, so hubby and oldest Ds can see who wins ....

This year we didn't. It was sad .... my husband's aunt has been diagnosed with liver cancer since Christmas. She's gone downhill very VERY fast. Dh is her husband's only source of support here (they come to FL from NY every winter) and he's been going down there whenever needed (insurance issues, arranging for homehealth, arranging for wheelchair etc) ..... it's just VERY sad. They are surrogate grandparents to my munchkins. I pray every day for a miracle.

So, needless to say, we didn't go to my mil's (who has actually been sick for the last 4 month herself, but they've ruled out cancer thank goodness !) for the Super Bowl.

Ds watched it (all I believe) and Dh fell asleep during part of it. I was working and with the little guys (3, 7, 11 years old, not a lot of interest there !) and we couldn't really care less. Without the party atmosphere, cake and ice cream, foam bricks to throw at the TV, what's the point ? I didn't even get to see the commercials or the halftime show this year (usually I at least pay attention to those things !)

Just seemed around here like a different game, but I'm sure it was exciting for those who were cheering on their teams !

Oldest Ds has always wanted to play football (he's into baseball) but every year (this past year not withstanding) some high school or college kid gets seriously hurt or dies due to a) being rammed by someone (this past year it was a normal football accident, the kid is paralyzed though) or b)playing in the FL heat with all of the equipment on (kids have been known to have heart attacks in August, drugs not involved !) SO, I always nix that idea ..... just seems to harsh, too hard on your body, no reason to get seriously hurt.

Just my opinon .... I'm probably too hard on football as a sport though.