Assessment 3 part 1 by Rhytham Thind

Overview

thindrhytham — 2023-11-09 07:42:26 UTC

The National Football League (NFL) is the premier professional American football league, renowned for its intense competition, high-stakes games, and superstar players. While the NFL represents the pinnacle of athletic achievement for many aspiring football players, the reality is not always as it appears. The league has been criticized for its promotion of practices that jeopardize the well-being and safety of its athletes, revealing a darker side to the world of professional football.

One of the key concerns surrounding the NFL is the apparent promotion of unsafe practices that put players at risk of serious injury and long-term health complications. Despite increasing awareness about the dangers of head injuries and concussions, the league has often been accused of downplaying the risks associated with the sport. Players frequently engage in high-impact tackles and collisions, leading to a significant number of concussions and other traumatic brain injuries. These injuries can have long-lasting consequences, contributing to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and other neurological disorders that have been documented among former NFL players.

Overview of Journal

thindrhytham — 2023-11-09 08:34:02 UTC

Craig Johnson (2011), analyses the pervasive culture of sacrificing long-term health for immediate success among athletes, with a particular focus on professional football players in the NFL. It discusses the health risks associated with the use of performance-enhancing drugs and the physical toll of injuries, especially concussions, on players. The article emphasizes the need for ethical considerations in sports and reforms to prioritize the well-being of athletes over short-term gains.

Suppourting Arguments

thindrhytham — 2023-11-09 09:16:51 UTC

The NFL has been scrutinised for the lack of care regarding players health for years, however they have been reluctant to put in place any sort of reform or rule changes. in fact there was a major shift in the understanding of the harmful impacts of multiple concussions can have on the brain early as September, 2002. in an journal by Washington Childs (2018) he discusses the increased vulnerbality of people in certain position such as Offensive linemen and Defensive linemen. in which Washington states a study that concluded that linemen experience 20-30 g-force on every play.

The disclosure of such elevated impact forces prompts considerable concern about the long-term viability of a career in these positions. Childs' study highlights the consequences of sustained exposure to intense physical stress over an extended duration, with a specific focus on the elevated risk of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). The cumulative trauma resulting from the repetitive and forceful collisions inherent in their roles poses a severe threat to the cognitive health of players, making them particularly susceptible to the debilitating effects of this condition.

Ethics of Care

thindrhytham — 2023-11-10 06:17:35 UTC

The ethics of care, a moral framework that emphasizes relational and empathetic considerations, can offer a unique perspective on the NFL's approach to player safety. In the context of caring ethics, the league has a responsibility to prioritize the well-being of its players, viewing them not merely as assets for entertainment but as individuals deserving of care and protection.

Kantian Ethics

thindrhytham — 2023-11-10 06:19:57 UTC

Kant's philosophy, questions the NFL's prioritization of short-term entertainment over player safety. It evaluates whether such a principle can be universally applied without contradiction and emphasizes treating players as ends in themselves, not mere means to an end. The league, within a Kantian framework, is obligated to protect players, acknowledging their intrinsic worth as rational and autonomous beings.

utilitarianism

thindrhytham — 2023-11-10 06:22:23 UTC

Utilitarianism, a consequentialist ethical theory, assesses the NFL's prioritisation of short-term entertainment over player safety by weighing overall happiness and minimising suffering. If the enjoyment derived from the sport surpasses potential harm to players, utilitarianism may support the league's approach. However, the ethical analysis becomes complex when factoring long-term consequences, especially the potential for severe health issues like CTE among players.

UNSDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing

thindrhytham — 2023-11-10 12:44:58 UTC

Ethical Problem: The potential long-term health consequences, such as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), resulting from the NFL's prioritization of short-term entertainment over player safety.
Link to UNSDG: This directly relates to Goal 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The ethical concerns highlight a potential contradiction to the goal of achieving good health and well-being.

Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

thindrhytham — 2023-11-10 12:47:03 UTC

Ethical Problem: The reluctance to implement reforms that prioritizs player well-being over short-term gains.
Link to UNSDG: This connects with Goal 8, which promotes decent work and economic growth which emphasises the importance of partnerships for achieving sustainable development and growth. Reforms within the NFL can contribute to a more responsible and sustainable sports industry.

Possible Reforms

thindrhytham — 2023-11-12 03:43:39 UTC

It is apparent that the NFL has the capacity to implement precautionary measures such as advanced helmet technology, enforce stricter rules on dangerous hits, and explore schedule or rule changes to reduce physical strain, to address the issue of heavy and dangerous contact on the field. However, such measures may carry the potential cost of diminishing fan engagement and increasing criticism. According to Kim (2017), the complacency observed in the NFL can be attributed to the league's tendency to prioritize the benefits derived from the sport, possibly at the expense of recognizing and mitigating the associated dangers.

thindrhytham — 2023-11-12 05:03:11 UTC

This video goes over the effects and toll CTE can have on players, highlighting a specific case of Kevin Ellison who had been greatly effected. Hence Raising moral inflictions from those who watch the sport.

thindrhytham — 2023-11-12 05:50:18 UTC

Johnson, C. E. (2016). Sacrificing the future of the NFL / Craig E. Johnson. SAGE.

Kim, T. S. (2017). Tackling Head Injuries in Youth and Interscholastic Football with NFL Contract Reform. Sports Lawyers Journal, 24, 71–94.

Washington-Childs, A. E. (2018). The NFL’s Problem with off-Field Violence: How CTE Exposes Athletes to Criminality and CTE’s Potential as a Criminal Defense. Virginia Sports and Entertainment Law Journal, 17(2), 244–272.

thindrhytham — 2023-11-12 06:23:31 UTC

The NFL is faced with obstacles concerning player safety, necessitating a deliberate and proactive response to these challenges. The imperative demands an approach that extends beyond acknowledgment of the issues. It calls for a commitment to ethical considerations and the implementation of reforms. This commitment is crucial not only for upholding the highest standards within the league but also for aligning its practices with broader societal goals.

Recognizing the complexity player safety , the NFL is prompted to take measures aimed at safeguarding the well-being of its athletes. Ethical considerations must play a pivotal role in shaping the league's response, the responsibility it bears for the physical and mental health of its players. The implementation of reforms becomes not only a necessity but a moral imperative.