I love the game of football. As a child and young adult, I played for 19 years. I have coached it now for 21 years (damn I am getting old 
). The game I have dedicated my life to is in trouble for many reasons.
1. The amount of coverage that the CTE issue (very serious issue but not relative to 95% of the football playing population) has really hurt participation. The irony is that ESPN, who built their empire on the back of football, is leading the charge.
2. TV coverage of the games. Too many commercials, bad announcers, and oversaturation for average fans. I love having a game on every day of the week.
3. Poor officiating and "over - officiating". Casual fans don't want to see bad officiating by officials that are getting paid well to do the job. I have no idea what SEC and other power 5 refs get paid. I know high school officials in Knoxville area get $75 a varsity game, and some think they get paid by the flag.
4. The "wussification" of the sport. This goes hand in hand with #1. It seems that if you hit a guy too hard, you are getting a flag. It is a beautifully brutal game. Let it be.
I don't want to see the game I love go away or suffer from these external issues, but I am afraid it will. Your thoughts.
). The game I have dedicated my life to is in trouble for many reasons.1. The amount of coverage that the CTE issue (very serious issue but not relative to 95% of the football playing population) has really hurt participation. The irony is that ESPN, who built their empire on the back of football, is leading the charge.
2. TV coverage of the games. Too many commercials, bad announcers, and oversaturation for average fans. I love having a game on every day of the week.
3. Poor officiating and "over - officiating". Casual fans don't want to see bad officiating by officials that are getting paid well to do the job. I have no idea what SEC and other power 5 refs get paid. I know high school officials in Knoxville area get $75 a varsity game, and some think they get paid by the flag.
4. The "wussification" of the sport. This goes hand in hand with #1. It seems that if you hit a guy too hard, you are getting a flag. It is a beautifully brutal game. Let it be.
I don't want to see the game I love go away or suffer from these external issues, but I am afraid it will. Your thoughts.
