APPALLING - Slap on the Wrist

“Payments were made for plays such as interceptions or fumble recoveries. All such payments are against league rules. Payments also were made for plays on which opposing players were injured. In addition, specific players were sometimes targeted. The investigation showed bounties being placed on four quarterbacks of opposing teams – Brett Favre, Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers, and Kurt Warner. Multiple sources have confirmed that several players pledged funds toward bounties on specific opposing players, with defensive captain Jonathan Vilma offering $10,000 to any player who knocked Brett Favre out of the NFC Championship Game in 2010.”

The punishment was NOT DRASTIC, it was a slap on the wrist. Outside of  football, it is called "taking out a contract" on someone and is punishable by arrest and JAIL TIME, not a CRUMMY one years suspension. Coach now will have time to spend some of his MILLIONS he has made being a totally unprincipled morally bankrupt football coach. And, he can come back in a  year and do it all over again. PLEASE don't expect me to believe that the entire organization was not aware of this policy. Make them change their name to the "New Orleans Sinners." they certainly are not Saints. 

Read more here: http://scottfowlerobs.blogspot.com/2012/03/cam-newton-was-target-of-bounty-program.html#storylink=cpy

Me, I blame TV

Got in to a discussion this morning about violence in football, so many injuries occurring.

One guy blamed larger, bigger stronger players, state of the art training facilities, strength coaches and better conditioned players. That made sense. Another talked about safer and better helmets. It came around to me for an answer.

"TV, I blame TV, and the fans. Watch highlight reels, all about the "hits" they highlight the violence. Ohio State has an award for the best "hit" ...... The Tatum Award, they award the biggest and best hit. Not the best tackle or the best catch, the most violent hit.

There is one highlight reel on TV that is nothing but violent hits. I don't think they teach tackling anymore, just hard hitting. The art of tackling is a thing of the past. The crowds go wild over a hard hit, they love to see a player in agony on the ground ..... until the body is lifeless, then the crowd quiets down.

The first one I remember was Darryl Stingley, hit by, not tackled, hit by Jack Tatum. He was the first that I recall, just hitting, trying to injure or put out of the game. When he left Ohio State he went with the Oakland Raiders who specialized in hard hits.

TV loved the hits, they replayed the hits, over and over, they made the "highlight" reels.

When did you last hear of a player making a nice "tackle"?

There is some responsibility also to equipment, helmets are designed to absorb more shock, so instead of being protective, they are now used as battering rams."Hell, man, I can run into a wall, head first, with this thing (helmet), and not feel a thing, man."

I say blame TV, and the crowds, like the spectators in the old Colosseum, "Kill the Christians." Blood and hard hits sell advertising, no one wants to watch a "touch" football game.

Contest time ... your help appreciated

I recently entered a contest, and if I win I get a nice prize.

The contest consists of GETTING MORE BLOG READERS

There is a counter on this BLOG. Tells us how many hits we get.

Basically, they are looking for REPEAT READERS.

The count is tallied on a weekly basis.

We are looking to be the BLOG that gets the most readership until the end of January.

So, if you would, send my link to all the people you know, and ask them to send the link to all the people they know, etc, etc.

So, please help me, I really want to win this contest. At my age, 77, there are very few "highlights," and it would mean a lot to me to win .... something, well, actually, anything.

I appreciate your help, and wish you a wonderful HOLIDAY SEASON ....

http://dooleyobserved.blogspot.com