Panelists answered the following: Do you believe the violent nature of football plays a role in the trend with NFL players linked to domestic violence?
Cesar Flores: “Yes. I believe that the violent nature of the game and constant pounding of the brain has to led to permanent brain damage, which may alter the personalities of those involved in the game.”
Richard Place: “It’s caused by reading violent comic books when you’re young. My mother told me that would happen.”
Ruth Erickson: “Yes! Certain sports such as football often encourage tough and aggressive behavior in order to win, which can carry over into their private life as a second nature, while some players with aggressive personalities may be attracted to tough sports. Either way, coaches and sports psychologists need to encourage players to leave their rage on the field or curb it!”
Marty Richman: “Yes, that is one important factor. Another is social-generational – many players grow up in poverty among family unit stress and violence. The third is their athletic talent often means they get a lifetime of special protection and forgiveness for transgressions, so they lack the social learning experience. Finally, making big money at a young age often makes for money-based relationships and they don’t last.”
Mary Zanger: “Yes. The link I think is opposition. The opponent on the other side of the line of scrimmage risks violent behavior but the athlete who inflicts it gains crowd and coach approval. In the home, if a child refuses to put away his toys, his opposition triggers violence from the athlete parent. If a wife refuses her husband, her opposition triggers violence from the football husband. Football athletes are trained to inflict violence but receive no training to control their violence off the field.”
Jim West: “This is a ‘chicken and egg’ question. Which comes first: Do violent players make violent football does violent football make violent players? If domestic violence were limited to football players and their families the question might be relevant. But it isn’t and it’s not. Domestic violence extends way beyond the world of football, it’s a cancer in our society and a crime that too few are willing to report.”
