Is football too dangerous--and should we change the rules?

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  Posted by another hockey fan Sat Oct 3, 2009 9:10am PDT

  Well, I'm not a football fan so I say let's get rid of it and put more emphasis on a REAL dangerous sport, say like, HOCKEY ;-)

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  Posted by steve m Mon Oct 5, 2009 7:11am PDT

  i tghink they should all wear big bulky concussion preventing helmets

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  Posted by Giz Mon Oct 5, 2009 7:24am PDT

  I'm sorry, but football players know the risks of playing the game and get paid well for doing something they probably enjoy a whole heck of a lot more than most people enjoy their jobs. I'm less concerned about whether the sport is barbaric (boxing and hockey are just as bad and gymanstics is just as dangerous) and more concerned that our modern day gladiators are not held accountable (or accountable enough) for their actions outside of the stadium as long as they can play the game well. I don't mind people cheering on a football team, but I do mind when the children of this country are cheering on criminals and treating them as role models. I mind when adults who should know better justify behavior and give second chances to people who have had more opportunities, regardless of where they came from, than a lot of deserving people just because they can play a game.

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  Posted by Mag Mon Oct 5, 2009 10:41am PDT

  Spokane Valley football player dies of injury

  Updated 6d 15h ago | Comments 3 | Recommend 5 E-mail | Save | Print |

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  SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — A high school football player from Spokane Valley has died after suffering a blow to the head in a Friday night game.

  Andrew Swank, 17, was in critical condition at Sacred Heart Medical Center after surgery to relieve pressure on his brain. He died Sunday night, the hospital announced.

  "Drew is now in heaven with God," said a statement issued by Valley Christian School, where Swank was a junior defensive back.

  Valley Christian was playing Washtucna High School at Washtucna, south of Ritzville, on Friday. Team officials said Swank took a hard hit during the game, walked to the sideline and collapsed. He was airlifted to Sacred Heart in Spokane.

  Swank is survived by his parents, four sisters and three brothers.

  "His family loves him so much and is so appreciative of everyone's thoughts and prayers," the news release said. "Andrew is donating his organs so others' lives can be saved."

  Washington has the toughest sports concussion law in the country — a measure passed by the Washington Legislature this spring. The Zackery Lystedt Law requires all athletes under the age of 18 who are suspected of having a concussion to get written consent from a licensed medical provider trained in evaluating concussions before returning to play.

  More than 3.5 million sports-related concussions occur each year in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Brain Injury Association of Washington.

  Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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