Mike Ditka and Chris Carter Story on President Obama’s Comments on Football
As everyone who loves football knows, last week President Obama made a comment
regarding football that stirred up a lot of emotions with both football fans and non-fans. He said
that if he had a son he wasn’t sure he’d let him play football because of the potential injuries
associated with the game.
We asked former Chicago Bear, Dallas Cowboy and Bears and Saints Head Coach Mike
Ditka his thoughts on the President’s comments. “I think everybody’s entitled to their own
opinions on that. You could say ‘If I had a son I wouldn’t want him to drive a car either.’ You
know, I’m not making light of the fact. Football is a contact sport. It’s a collision sport. People
hit each other very hard. The bodies have gotten bigger, faster and probably stronger in a lot of
ways. The equipment has become so sophisticated now that almost the helmet that was kinda for
protection has become a weapon where you have no fear to strike with your head. That’s what
has caused a lot of the problems. I understand the comment; a lot of parents are probably saying
the same thing. If I have my ‘druthers, do I want my kid to hit a baseball or shoot a basketball or
play football or kick a soccer ball. I mean you might pick one of the other options.”
We also had a chance to ask the same question of former Minnesota Vikings Wide Receiver
Chris Carter. He was not quite as politically correct as Coach Ditka was. “Well, I’ve been
watching politics lately. He is the President, the most powerful man in the free world, but what
he knows about the National Football League, I think, is still limited, and I’d just be a little
careful on trying to be an expert on everything. I played 16 years in the National Football
League; did not have one concussion. What Obama doesn’t understand is football’s not a game
about getting hit; it’s a game about NOT getting hit. That’s how you avoid it (a concussion), and
that’s how you keep playing. It’s the most popular sport for a reason. You look at some of the
other sports, I mean, the (injury) numbers are horrific; soccer, girls’ injuries. Do we have a
dilemma? YES. Are we gonna get it better? ABSOLUTELY, but we have the best game going
Obama, and I voted for you twice!”
There is no doubt the discussions about the dangers of the game will continue, but there is
also no doubt the NFL IS the most beloved sport on the planet and it WILL remain so!