[Oe List ...] Theological Justification for Football

[Charles or Doris Hahn]

Wow Bill, this report blows me over!  From our time together in L.A. I knew you had some kind of a football injury, but knew nothing of your exploits on the gridiron.

Probably most of the people under 60 or 65 are not aware that prior to the early 1950s football players played both ways, i.e. offense and defense.  If they were pulled from the game they had to remain out until at least the beginning of the next quarter. The Professionals changed to the platoon systerm first, and then some time in the early 50s (I think) colleges and highschools also switched.  I feel that there is someone out there who is certain about the date. All of this is rehearsed to make us all aware of the hard task Bill had as a football player.

Let's see what kind of fun we can have chewing over this.  I hope it does not shut out too many global colleagues.  Just having fun.
Charles Hahn


----- Original Message ----
From: Bill Bailey <bailey03132 at charter.net>
To: Order Ecumenical Community <oe at wedgeblade.net>
Sent: Fri, January 29, 2010 3:13:37 PM
Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] Theological Justification for Football

Tim,

I had a similar experience. My senior year in High school I weight 205 lbs and was 6 feet 2. I played tight end on a single wing offence and half back on the defense team. That year (1949) I was elected the MVP of our team, played in the South Carolina/North Carolina Shrine game in Charlotte, NC, played in the east/west North Carolina all star game in Greensboro, NC. I had the honor of being selected on the NC all state team. In short earned every recognition for a high school football player that NC had to offer. As a result of this Duke, UNC, George U. and NC state offered me a full four year scholarship (all expenses paid) to come and play football. I chose Duke. In the summer of 1950 Marianna and I moved to Durham and I played football. All went well during the fall program, but during spring practice I received an injury that put me in Duke Hospital for three days. When it was time to go home the doctors informed me that because of the injury and
 its long term affects I would not be allowed to play football anymore. (at this point I died) About a week later Mariana said to me - "Bill you have to get a new life." Like what, I asked. She replied "You still have a four year scholarship - Why don't you take this opportunity to get an education". Three days later I did. (my rebirth).

----- Original Message ----- From: "Tim Wegner" <twegner at swbell.net>
To: "Order Ecumenical" <oe at wedgeblade.net>
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 10:16 PM
Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] Theological Justification for Football


> Dick wrote:
> 
>> Football destroyed all my illusions, thus I experienced death;
>> football gave me my real
>> life, thus I experienced re-birth.
> 
> The first part of that (experiencing death) is literally true for a
> shocking percentage of football players on the pro level. Some suffer
> permanent brain damage and live out their days dependent on others
> for basic care. One probowl lineman, now in his fifties, who can
> barely walk and has constant memory lapses, has said he regrets he
> ever played even one minute of football at any level. Fans, like us,
> have forgotten them, and the NFL does little to help them.
> 
> This guy might question the second part about "football gave me my
> real life". He is hardly alone, only forgotten.
> 
> Tim Wegner
> 
> 
> 
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