Football is a sport loved by so many. A sport that has gained acceptance by so many part of the world. And truly, among other games played internationally, football stands out. And just as you know well it's the most popular sport around the world.
I am lover of sports, and most especially football. It's one of those sports that gives you wholesome fitness even if that's the only sport you participate in throughout your lifetime. I for one used to play football alot and I still play football though not as often as before. I can still remember those times when you either find me in the field or in a viewing centre if I'm not at home.
Talking about this week's prompt on Hive Naija,
1️⃣Some of us are sport lovers; others, not so much. However, all of us have that sport that we do not like or exactly understand. Tell us which sports and why you feel that way about it.
American football. does it really equal the tag 🤔
Immediately I read the prompt on Hive Naija community, I decided I was going to share my view on this sport.
I came across this form of football in my early childhood days. I got interested because the game had the same setting as the normal football we all play. I tried watching a few games so I'll be able to understand what the game was all about, and to be frank with you all watching the game even now still makes me wonder what's going on here 😂 ?? And I even wonder more why it is called football 😂.
Ok I'll tell you a few things I can still remember about the game maybe you'll know it better than I do.
The game is made up of 11 players on each part of a rectangular pitch with goalposts at both ends of the pitch, one of the teams is the offense while the other is the defence team.
Important things you should know about the American football
Being a medic myself, I'm more interested in the impart of the sport and how it's played on the health of the players.
Health benefits
- Overall wellness, good especially for the heart.
- Improved concentration
- Enhances team work and leadership skills.
- Increases physical strength and better mental acuity among those who participate in the sport.
I know there may be more of it but these are the few I can remember.
Health Risk
Ok, this is what this post is all about.
I don't really fancy the game, infact I don't understand the game and coupled with numerous health risk associated with the game makes me wonder if it's still football.
At one point in the game you'll see two individuals running towards each, either hitting each other, or one just falling to the floor with the ball. Initially I was even wondering why it's called football since they're allowed to hold the ball with their hands.
At some point you see up to six person on the top of the person holding the ball.
Most of the games I've watched is what I can describe as a perfect definition of chaos 😂, I don't know if it's because my brain compares the game to the normal football game I know.
Apart from the usual injuries such as ankle sprains and muscle tears, associated with the game of football, Gridiron or American football as it's popularly called carries a special health risk of brain contusion (brain injury) and enlarged heart size. I became aware of this about two years ago after a lecture on causes of brain injury.
Some of the players who played the game for a lifetime and even younger children learning to play the game either die of a bleeding blood vessel in the brain or from other complications associated with repeated head injury. Not to talk of the other associated health risk like complicated migraine headache, blurry vision and other neurological deficit. I could remember watching a documentary some time ago where it was discovered that some of the players end up commiting suicide later in life.
These and many more make me to wonder why the sport hasn't yet been included in the list of extreme sports 😀
I don't really know much about the sport because I lost interest in it a long time ago. I hope the organising bodies will either make it safer or make some rules that will help protect those involved in the sport. Because seriously speaking I think the purpose of these sports is to entertain, and talking about entertainment in a civilised world, the benefits should be far more than the risks if any.
Thank you for reading through. I appreciate your time ❤️
Stevewealth