Football has always been a violent sport, but Monday night’s contest between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals was particularly brutal.
When it was all said and done, two players were carted off the field on backboards, three players were put into concussion protocol, and two players were suspended. One of the players who was stretchered off the field, Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier, remains hospitalized with a spinal injury. Shazier’s injury was so scary that, after the game, Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton – despite losing the contest in stunning fashion – knelt to pray with Steelers players.
.@andydalton14 praying for Ryan Shazier with The Steelers. It can't get any classier!!! #AndyDalton #Bengals50 #PITvsCIN pic.twitter.com/VPFig9VP5F
— Brini aka sᴀʙʀɪɴᴀ ғʀᴏᴍ ɢᴇʀᴍᴀɴʏ (@actuallybrini) December 5, 2017
Understandably, many fans were shocked and disturbed by the violence they had witnessed, and expressed as much on Twitter. But, for fans who have been watching football for decades, they’d tell you that Monday’s game was nothing out of the ordinary – and that’s exactly what legendary sports broadcaster Brent Musburger said in response to all the “snowflakes.”
Yo,Snowflakes. Quit preaching. The Violent World of Sam Huff sold NFL football to the masses. The Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders gave us a little sex with our violence. Deal with it!
— Brent Musburger (@brentmusburger) December 6, 2017
When it comes to football, Musberger knows what he’s talking about. Before retiring from play-by-play broadcasting in January, he spent 14 years as host of “The NFL Today” and pioneered the modern pre-game show. But despite his expertise, many people disagreed with Musburger’s opinion.
https://twitter.com/CoreyAStewart/status/938260552505212928
https://twitter.com/pat_prerost/status/938263417558913030
The world has changed since 1960, sir.
— Dave Hogg ✨ (@stareagle) December 6, 2017
One person even managed to link Musburger’s opinion to the almighty “white privilege” – even though they couldn’t spell it correctly.
https://twitter.com/kelevra80/status/938403924222054400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thewildcard.com%2Flegendary-sports-broadcaster-rips-nfl-snowflakes-tells-deal%2F
There were a few brave souls who stuck up for Musburger, however.
God Bless you Brent! I don't know when the change occurred & our country became as soft as a roll of Charmin Toilet Paper 💯#PreachOn
— @JustUrAvgFlyGuy (@JustUrAvgFlyGuy) December 6, 2017
Whether you agree or disagree with Musburger, though, it’s true that football is an inherently violent sport. Furthermore, as terrible as it is, Shazier’s injury wasn’t the fault of another player – it occurred when he attempted to tackle Bengals receiver Josh Malone. It was an unfortunate freak accident, which could happen in any sport. Would the “snowflakes” argue that sport should be banned altogether because there’s too much risk for injury?
Actually, they probably would.
Do you agree or disagree with Brent Musburger? Share your thoughts and comments below!
