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Letter: Are we, like ancient Romans, thrilled by watching modern-day gladiators?

(Jeff Dean | AP) Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin is attended to after suffering a medical episode during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Cincinnati.

Contact football is by far the most watched and popular sport in America. It is also extremely violent, brutal, dangerous and harmful to the health of the players. Many players experience lifelong debilitating injuries. Some — even death!

What does this say about America? Are we, like ancient Romans, thrilled by watching modern-day gladiators fight, and at times, attempt to injure each other? All for what? Team pride? Prestige? Entertainment? Huge amounts of money for colleges, pro team owners, TV networks and star players?

American football is a crazy, harmful “sport.” Think of the pain, suffering and medical expenses of injured players and their families. Think of the people who die every year from “playing” football. Contact football should be replaced with some kind of noncontact, nonviolent sport. How about noncontact football?

Go team! But play safe!!!

James Westwater, Spanish Fork

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