To the Editor:
Re “Study Links Brain Disease to at Least 1 in 4 in N.F.L.” (front page, Aug. 26):
Sometimes we have been quite judgmental in evaluating Indigenous and ancient civilizations for sports events that resulted in terrible injuries or even death.
Now our ethnocentrism is challenged, as we are forced to admit that our most popular sport, football — which admittedly excites so many of us for the athleticism involved — has ignored the inherent risks and the life-changing mental issues that have plagued far too many of our finest athletes who sacrifice their health for money and glory to entertain us.
Better helmets, tighter rules and a host of other changes are probably not going to greatly affect the damage done because of the nature of the sport.
And we are civilized people?
Dave Pasinski Fayetteville, N.Y.
To the Editor:
The fact that the latest studies reveal that at least a quarter of former professional football players become afflicted with the devastating degenerative brain disease C.T.E. is disturbing.
Equally disturbing has been the N.F.L.’s hesitant, even evasive, response to the steadily accumulating evidence that American football is toxic to the human brain.
The economics of the game suggests a sinister explanation. Professional football is astoundingly lucrative. Look up the salaries of the executives who control the game. Then consider the fact that many players are racial minorities from poor backgrounds.
It is a troubling tale, and the N.F.L. may soon be faced with conclusive scientific evidence that a majority of its retired players have suffered irreversible brain damage. The game will become indefensible.
David Hayden Wilton, Conn.
To the Editor:
Re “Family Tension: Football Dream vs. C.T.E. Data” (front page, Aug. 27):
My son is 56 years old. We had a pediatrician who said, “Do not let your son play football.” We followed his advice. That was over 40 years ago. Our son played the drums and still does to this day.
We never regretted our pediatrician’s wise advice based on facts that were available even then. I hope that others will take this most recent data seriously.
Bronda Niese Brunswick, Maine
To the Editor:
I believe that future generations will look back on football as we now view the gladiator games in ancient Rome: as a barbaric sport that should have been banned.
Judith Tuller New York
Unpresidential Actions
To the Editor:
Re “Backlash in New Mexico to Latest Trump Notion” (news article, Sept. 8), about President Trump’s apparent suggestion that New Mexico should be renamed New America:
I long for the days when our president was focused on a legislative agenda, working the phones to secure the support of members of Congress, and didn’t pursue petty grievances against them.
I remember those events when our president treated visits from heads of state as opportunities to deepen mutual ties, and not pseudo-birthday festivities to collect gifts.
I miss those meetings when our president listened to sage advice from experienced cabinet members and knowledgeable counselors, and didn’t lead from his gut.
I wonder when I will awaken to a day when I am not outraged by our president’s senseless actions designed solely to grab headlines to satisfy a bottomless need for attention.
Janet L. Falk Somers, N.Y.
India’s U.S. Policy
To the Editor:
Re “Striking Deals Around World, Modi Is Hedging Against Trump” (news article, Aug. 29):
That India is hedging its geopolitical bets should not obscure the fact that America remains at the center of India’s foreign policy — equally out of necessity and prudence.
India’s much-touted mantras of “multi-alignment,” “plurilateralism” and “strategic autonomy” must contend with the precarious concentration of global power and the associated limits of hedging.
America’s increasingly malignant hegemony continues to order the international system. No number of bilateral deals with middle powers can insulate India from the consequences of a great power’s systemic dismantling of the postwar order, from unpredictable wars to destabilizing tariffs.
Nor does India have better alternatives. Russia is a less capable partner, economically and technologically, than it once was. China is India’s major long-term adversary and maintains deep military and economic ties with Pakistan.
Thus, for all its sensible hedging, India’s foreign policy is still best described as “America Plus.”
Pranav Agarwal New Delhi The writer is an international lawyer and a geopolitical analyst.
The post The Deadly Truth About Football appeared first on New York Times.
