ESPN Football Analyst Walks Away, Disturbed by Brain Trauma on Field

Re:ESPN Football Analyst Walks Away, Disturbed by Brain Trau... by Brendinooo on Thursday August 31, 2017 @03:45PM (#15143273)

This...doesn't quite compute to me. Professional football was born out of amateur athletic clubs and college clubs. The lack of a development league for the NFL is lamentable for a few reasons, but I don't think it's insidious that people play for free then get the attention of the NFL, if only because most people play football because they enjoy the sport.

If HS and CFB didn't exist, there would be no NFL, because it would mean that everyone stopped caring about football.

(Disclosure: I live near Pittsburgh; even though I never played, the sport runs deep in the roots of the area!)

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Re:ESPN Football Analyst Walks Away, Disturbed by Brain Trau... by dhimes on Thursday August 31, 2017 @04:02PM (#15143414)

They need to get the college sports off of national TV and set up a farm team system. But that's a debate for another time probably.

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Re:ESPN Football Analyst Walks Away, Disturbed by Brain Trau... by PacketPaul on Thursday August 31, 2017 @05:41PM (#15144201)

College football is more popular than the NFL. Every game is critically important in college which adds to the excitement. Pro's you can lose a few and still make the SuperBowl.

The RedSkins can't fill their stadium in a major market. Try to get Alabama tickets ... or NotreDame ... or Penn State all in minuscule markets.

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Re:ESPN Football Analyst Walks Away, Disturbed by Brain Trau... by dhimes on Thursday August 31, 2017 @07:37PM (#15144936)

I don't know about data on popularity, but now college football has a playoff system too so they can bounce back from a loss (but probably only one).

Years ago the Redskins always filled- they've just sucked for so long people find better things to do with their Sundays (disclaimer-am a fan from long time back).

The Patriots on the other hand now fill their stadium (I live in the Boston area now). They didn't use to do that.

So it may depend on how well the team is doing.

EDIT: Except for Tennessee. Those fans are crazy.

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Re:ESPN Football Analyst Walks Away, Disturbed by Brain Trau... by Touche on Thursday August 31, 2017 @10:27PM (#15145676)

NFL tv ratings dwarf college though.

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