Football Doesn’t Mean Manhood

Madison Shockley’s phony notion of manhood (Commentary, Sept. 2) seems not only ludicrous but perilous as well. If it were true that football is the only way for a young person to build character (which he clearly implies) we would undoubtedly see a larger percentage of ex-football players among high achievers in other fields. We don’t.

At least an equal amount of teamwork, commitment, skill and thoughtfulness can be found in a symphony orchestra, a band or theater production company.

Human aggression may take many forms. Shockley’s worshipful attitude toward the extreme, violent and thoughtless physical expression of it surely has something to do with the tragedies of young football players ignoring their own well-being in order to fit this strange ideal of manhood. How many young men put their health and lives at risk to do so?

There is no reason for encouraging one’s son to play football other than the fact that he likes to play it. In the process, please don’t contaminate him with a simplistic view of manhood.

Bruce I. Kodish

Pasadena

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Shockley has written a truly depressing satirical piece on football. It was satire, wasn’t it? He writes: “I believe the world is divided into football players and nonplayers”; football is “bestial beauty”; its “grandeur and pageantry . . . serve to dress up the violence that is at its core”; “it is aggression.”

I feel for him as he laments not being old enough to go to Vietnam and participate in the killing or being too old to get a piece of the Gulf War slaughter. Next time you see some maniacal act of road rage, it may be our brother, Shockley, so just flash him the peace sign.

John P. Newman

Los Angeles

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Saying that “the world is divided into football players and nonplayers” is exactly the mentality that drives and allows today’s road rage, drive-by shootings, date rape and other forms of society-formed, self-centered behavior.

Back in the old days of leather helmets and grass fields, when athletics meant pure sport, just a game, the Beatitudes of excellence could shine through. But those days are long gone, at all levels, replaced by a bloated, commercialized, often-corrupt autumn facade with as much body-altering steroids, weight training, artificial surfaces, fan aggression/fights, et al., as governing bodies will allow.

A little advice, Madison. Go for a long run or walk, ride a bike or volunteer for a strenuous trail-building crew. And for a courage-and values-building exercise, go attend a funeral or service for one of the dozen or more high school, college or pro players who were pushed beyond what the normal body was supposed to endure for an athletic event and a fleeting moment of glory. Let’s see if you have the guts to stand up to real life.

Drew Irby

Mission Viejo