Guns, Sports, and the Feels

How America’s “Manliest” Pastimes Serve as Outlets for Sensitive Men

Imagine an activity wherein a bunch of dudes in skin-tight pants chase each other around and pile on top of one another.

Between these bursts of fervent frolicking and sprees of “wrapping each other up,” butt-slapping and bear-hugging occur with great regularity.

The ultimate goal of this activity? To win shiny pieces of jewelry.

But win or lose, there is always more hugging. (Yay!)

And crying. (Aww.)

Tears of joy for the victors; tears of misery for the losers.

The perceptive among you have no doubt already realized I’m describing American football, a.k.a. gridiron football, a game that is often touted as one of the “toughest” in existence.

Football players have been compared to “armored warriors,” and their stepping onto the field has been described as “akin to entering a modern gladiatorial arena,” (source: Sports Foundation).

True, American football is violent. Physical injury — including permanent brain damage in the form of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) — is an ever-present risk.