Introduction
Football, or American football, is undoubtedly among the most widely viewed category of sports, as it is called in many foreign countries. Athletes participating in football constantly hurt themselves for the sake of their careers while their fans cheer and wear colorful shirts. Therefore, a moral dilemma presents itself – is watching football morally acceptable? If so, is it also appropriate to financially support institutions that put their players in danger or oversee football games? The current public opinion is varied, with strong arguments for both sides of the discussion (The Argument). The decision of supporting or denouncing football as a popular sport falls on the discretion of the viewer, who can interpret the facts of the matter in two distinct ways. This work will consider the topic from both sides of the argument, attempting to fully understand the issue.
Football is Harmful and Must Not Be Supported
Football is an especially violent type of sport, driven by a competitive need to bring one’s team victory. On a daily basis, collisions and altercations with other players are expected, physical harm is almost always an inseparable part of the process. However, one underexplored facet of this discussion concerns brain trauma. When players hurt themselves, concussions and other types of brain damage are often inevitable, as the force of impact is simply too big for the human body (Jonathan Clarke). Even with the presence of protective equipment, research has shown that football players suffer small concussions that develop into serious problems over time. Over the years, the presence of continuous brain injury damages the nerves permanently, leading to conditions such as dementia (Klosterman).
In some cases, players even take their own lives, unable to live with the debilitating effects of trauma (The Kenan Institute for Ethics). Critics argue that a system that facilitates physical harm this extreme should not be given any support. From this perspective, the fans are as culpable in harming players as their coaches and managers, providing an emotional and financial incentive. Some individuals have actively stopped watching football out of moral considerations. The institution of professional football can be viewed as harmful to its participants and immoral.
Football Participation Is a Choice
However, there are also other perspectives on this issue, ones that understand the problems of the industry but continue to support it. The largest argument that can be made is that of choice. Football players have dedicated much of their time, skills, and effort to perfecting their athletic performance. Therefore, they are sufficiently informed about the potential risks of their profession. Much like other extreme activities people do for leisure, football players considered the ramifications of their actions, weighed them against their own sets of moral principles or needs, and decided to participate. No team can actively force their players to take part against their will, making a denouncement of football seem patronizing (Bodenner). Support for sports teams, or viewing professional football, then, can be seen as a display of dedication, respect, and admiration for the people who pursue a dangerous career.
Conclusion
In closing, it can be said that the public opinion on the morality of watching football, or other competitive sports, is divided. There are clear dangers associated with participating in football matches, and most players suffer from long-lasting detriments to their health and wellness. However, they also actively choose to participate in playing sports, which may be seen as a readiness to face the associated risks. Members of the audience have to make a personal moral choice regarding their contribution towards violent sports, and its outcome depends only on their own judgment.
Works Cited
Bodenner, Chris. “Is It Patronizing to Say Football Players Are Exploited?” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, Web.
Jonathan Clarke. “Watching and Its Implications.” City Journal, Web.
Klosterman, Chuck. “Is It Wrong to Watch Football?” The New York Times, The New York Times, 2014, Web.
The Argument. “American Football: Our Problematic Unifier.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 2021, Web.
The Kenan Institute for Ethics. “A Fan’s Moral Imperative: Is Watching Football Ethical?” The Kenan Institute for Ethics at Duke University, Web.