This is why I can't in good conscious donate any money to educational institutions (like the University of Michigan, where I went for my undergrad education). Not only is semi-pro football detrimental to higher education, it is detrimental to the health of the players.
Philosophical musings from a geek-tech viewpoint in the heart of Silicon Valley
I would go after soccer before American football, as it is a global sport where 10 of the 11 players on the field are getting whacked in the head by a 3 or 4 pound ball multiple times a game.
But I'm not sure that I would go after either. People still have the right to do far worse things to themselves, like smoke tobacco or drink alcohol, so long as they are given some sort of notice on the dangers of doing so. Would you really want to ban football even if consenting adults are aware of the dangers and choose the participate regardless?
I doubt the G-forces of 1 lb soccer ball compare to an actual contact sport. But then we could always check the brains of ex-soccer players too.
I never said football should be banned. I simply don't think it should be associated with institutions of higher learning. And do you really think all the football players know about this yet? I doubt it's getting a lot of press. It's too big of a business.
Rugby also offers plenty of opportunities for concussions, and it is hardly a money making sport, so I think that it's too simple to blame the problem on the business aspects of college football.
Regardless, the fraternities and sororities have been a detriment to health and learning for many more people than football was ever responsible for.
Rugby isn't nearly as big as football: several orders of magnitude difference I would think. But yes, I don't discriminate. Any full contact sport where players are regularly getting concussed should be rethought, or at least called out.
As for college drinking, it's not condoned by the university. And I'm a supporter of lowering the drinking age and managing the issue via programs. Making drinking illegal for those under 21 is clearly not working.
http://www.chooseresponsibility.org/
very good. bravo!