Yes and no. Yes, I miss the game I grew up with because there was a double edge to it. The NFL for standard football and the AFL for wide open, what it has become.
Yes, during my time was that 20 season winning streak and the Cowboys were not just relevant, they were critical. I was spoiled, it wasn't about whether my team would be good or not but how good?
Yes, it seems back then every play mattered more and I never knew when the critical one would take place. I was more into the game and I liked the game a lot more before the instant replay. I truly did have to plan food and drink breaks and whizz breaks because I never knew when that play would come. I wasn't just watching, I was engaged.
No, I don't like all of the individual BS too many of these players demonstrate on the field like Lawrence, Charleton and Elliott. That Gladiator pose Lawrence struck Sunday night, all that was missing was "are you not entertained"? Does he have a pose when he's been blocked out of the play? I realize that doesn't bother some and could care less, that detracts form the game for me.
No, I watched a lot of players sacrificing more than I knew when they had to have part-time jobs to stay in football. When I saw close ups of players on the sideline getting their "bell rung", I had no idea how serious that could be. One of my most favorite players to ever watch was Tony Dorsett and now it pains me to watch him try to form a sentence. The stories of players like Duerson, Seau and Webster are heartbreaking, especially when they were sent back in under questionable circumstances. Not to mention their joints shot to hell with team doctors lying about not doing any more damage and the quickest way out of the NFL was to go against the team doc and get a second opinion. They put the owner's interests above the players.
I am conflicted about the game of football. I love the collisions and contact aspect of it but I understand the need to protect the players, this billions]of dollars lawsuit notwithstanding. And blaming Goodell for that is ridiculous. He is merely doing what he has to do and is paid to do.,
The one observation I have made after watching this game for 60 years is that yes, the players are bigger, faster and stronger but no, they are not better. And the game is not a better game because now I just sit there taking it all in, I am not engaged, I am not physically tired after a game and am not emotionally invested or passionate about it. While I do miss the old game, what I really miss is me watching it.
