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A Brutal Sport

Football is a brutal sport It's boxing without pads Bone-jarring collisions rattle the head Collect too many, and you'll be dead It also takes its toll on the knees Scar tissue, arthritis ~ Wheelchair, pretty please Not to mention the damage it does to the spine Which becomes a human shock-absorber at game-time Of course there are all those famous Chicago Bears players THOSE LEGENDARY 'MONSTERS OF THE MIDWAY:' 'Coach' Mike Ditka waddles around on two dysfuntional hips All-Star Dick Butkus' shattered knees plant curses on his lips And the 'Punky Q-B,' Super Bowl winner, Jim McMahon Has helmet-bumped his way into the 'I'm-now-a-vegetable-can Not to forget Dave Duerson: He entered Pro Football's Hall of Shame When he took his own life, 'cos he couldn't remember his name But I'm a tough guy, a man's man, and here's what I say: If I have to sacrifice life or limb, let it not be for a football play ~ Let it be to defend my country, the USA!

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Richard Lamoureux

Date: 8/15/2018 8:24:00 AM

I’m not a real fan of football but I must admit I love watching boxing. My wife gets mad any time that I do. I can’t explain the reason it is enjoyable, I guess it’s part of my primal nature. I do appreciate the artistry of it and the competition. I feel like I am the person in the ring.

Gershon Wolf
Date: 8/15/2018 4:15:00 PM

Interesting comments, Richard! Truth be told, I never soured on boxing til I realized how rigged the sport is ... Back in the day, in the late '50's, I simply thrilled to the tilts between Carmen Basilio and Sugar Ray Robinson for the middleweight title. Moreover, boxing is honest: One guy is out to knock the tar out of the other. Football, of course, pretends to be a 'game.' Best wishes, gw

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 8/14/2018 6:56:00 PM

G'day Gershon … you could have this same poem about Australian Rules Footballers from down here, with different names of course, but they don't wear any padding - brutal sports attract huge crowds though - enjoyed your poem - Lindsay

Gershon Wolf
Date: 8/14/2018 8:23:00 PM

Yup, just like over here -- the more brutal, the better. Fans are just itching for some blood and guts. Must make good chasers for all the beer they drink … And they call this 'civilization.' Imagine! Thanks for checking in, Lindsay. and G'day! :) gw

Nette Onclaud

Date: 8/14/2018 3:09:00 PM

i wonder why we enjoy seeing people hurt for the glory of sports ( boxing, wrestling, bullfight included)?... a knock-out of a poem, gershon...huggs

Gershon Wolf
Date: 8/14/2018 8:22:00 PM

Prescient question, nette! … And as for bullfights, they've got to be the ultimate in cruelty … As they say, give the masses what they want, 'bread and circuses.' It was ever aye, I'm afraid. … Thank you so much for weighing in on this one. Much appreciated. Best wishes, Gershon

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib

Date: 8/14/2018 12:46:00 PM

Oh wow. A little poem of epic proportions. Brutal honest write. I'm well acquainted with the Post-Concussion Syndrome if not the sport... hard hitting touchdown of a poem my friend. xomo <3

Gershon Wolf
Date: 8/14/2018 8:20:00 PM

First touchdown I've scored since I was 15 (really; no bs), the same year that a Mercury astronaut 'touched down' from an extended mission around our dear planet. What one has to do with the other, I leave it to you, Mo, to figure out. (It's all WAY beyond, and behind, me!) Best wishes, Gershon