To the editor: Sociology professors Nathan Kalman-Lamb and Derek Silva are right in regards to the hypocrisy of shaming college football players who get into brawls on the field.
After I was a graduate pupil on the College of Michigan, I taught a science course and was recruited in the summertime time period to tutor a soccer participant who needed to drop out of my fall course due to a soccer damage. As I labored with him, I found that he nonetheless couldn’t maintain his focus for greater than 20 minutes.
Whereas I used to understand methods demonstrated on the sector, the expertise taught me that the sport is mainly about senseless brute drive. Soccer’s recognition often overshadows the harm that may final a lifetime.
I’m not a fan.
Margaret Hamilton, Portland, Ore.
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To the editor: Due to The Occasions for once more alerting us to the truth that the devastating statistics regarding mind harm and Parkinson’s illness amongst former soccer gamers haven’t been a deterrent to participation within the sport, aside from these dad and mom who’re capable of dissuade their children from enjoying.
However, the authors’ condemnation of soccer fails in two respects.
First, a blanket condemnation is just too facile as a result of it ignores all the nice that aggressive sports activities teaches, akin to self-discipline, sportsmanship and camaraderie.
Second, the authors fail to offer credit score to the Nationwide Collegiate Athletic Assn., which has acknowledged the issue, and to all these coaches who take critically their accountability as lecturers of maturing children.
Gamers now know that “focusing on,” or making forcible contact past what’s essential to sort out one other participant, outcomes not merely within the lack of yards, but additionally ejection. Unsportsmanlike conduct can lead to game-changing penalties.
The NCAA cares, most coaches care — and sure, brawling is a shame.
Louis Lipofsky, Beverly Hills
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To the editor: Cries of hypocrisy over school soccer brawls — when the very sport itself is immersed in violence — run a distant second to the extra apparent, “What, are you kidding me?”
Contemplating that each participant on the sector is clad from head to toe in protecting gear designed solely to stop hurt, I extremely doubt there has ever been an damage of any kind ensuing from a brawl.
Information flash: There by no means might be.
William P. Bekkala, West Hollywood
