The Violent Game

Television networks do an extraordinary job in broadcasting NFL games. The experience you get while watching the screen is a product of today's technology.

I go to one game a year. I went last night to see the Pats beat the Kansas City Chiefs 31-3. I have been to about 40 games over the years. I enjoyed very one of them in the old stadium and Gillette. My friend's seats were very close to the field.

The speed of the game is amazing with the violent hits on the players in all three phases of the game. There are so many train collisions on kickoffs and punt coverage. It's so easy to see why players can't play a full season. Television seems to "sanitize" the extreme physical nature of the game, but seeing it in person makes you realize how brutal this game is.

The game is all about stopping the quarterback or whoever has the ball in their hands. The game has always been physical and violent, but the size and speed of the players today take it to another level where physical trauma is the norm.

Tom Brady took some tough hits while in the pocket or just moving around. To see him upended off his feet while running makes you realize that everyone is one play away from ending their career.