IlliniKrush

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Dec 19, 2013 -> 10:32 AM) Im not sure that whether you let your kid play football is indication of good or bad parenting. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but my opinion (which you are not going to change) is that life is filled with terrible terrible tragedy. That life is very very sad and many times there is no reason. Good kids die due to random flukes that are entirely unpredictable. I will not deny my kid joy just because there is a chance that he may get injured and it could possibly hurt him in the future. Otherwise where do I draw the line? I dont let him outside when Im not there to watch? I dont let him drive a car, I dont let him go in his friends car, I dont let him get on a plane, I make him wear gloves to school, etc etc. To each their own. Let your kid play football, but don't make this stupid argument. It isn't let kid play football OR Lock kid up in handcuffs and not let them do anything, since they can't play football. You can let them do a lot of things. Football is probably one of, if not the, most dangerous thing you can let your kid do as far as future brain damage when considering a sport or hobby. Me, I don't know how anyone can watch that PBS special, or read a lot of the research done, or even the stories out there, and let their kid play football. It's all about risk involved. Is there the same risk getting on a plane as there is playing a lifetime of football? Of course not. Just because life is filled with tragedy, doesn't mean you can't take steps to try to minimize it. Do you wear our seat belt?

QUOTE (dasox24 @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 11:28 PM) In my original post, I state that I'm aware that other sports can offer the same types of things as football. But for me, football meant the most. I get that it's not the same for everyone. But don't tell me playing another sport would have been the same for me because I know that it wasn't. And I'm sure it would be that way for a lot of people. I would never force my kid to do something he didn't want to. I plan on being like my Dad, who let us choose what we wanted to partake in, but once we started, we were finishing (at least for that season/event/whatever it was). If my son wants to play soccer, cool. I never played soccer and I suck at it. But I'd be damn happy as long as it's what he loves. But if all he wants to do is play football, then I'm going to give him that chance. Anyway, I'm not sure any opinions are going to be changed here. No one said football isn't fun. As a parent, it's about are those fun experiences worth it after all the evidence and research you've seen? Fun outweighs the possible outcomes? Do you want to take that risk with your child? That's the decision you have to make. No one's a bad parent because they don't let their kid play football. I'd say they're a good parent for protecting them, given everything we're seen and read.

QUOTE (dasox24 @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 10:40 PM) When I do have a kid, I would absolutely allow him to play football if he wants to. Some of my favorite memories are from the football teams I played on. Some of my best friends are guys I played football with from way back in elementary school to high school, and to this day, we still talk about old games or big plays. It's a special sport and by far my favorite. I still play flag football in an adult league, and it's one of the highlights of my week. Getting out on the field, making plays, being on a team again. It's awesome. My team ranges from guys who stopped playing as freshman in high school to guys who played D1. We all have a blast out there, even when we lose. The D1 guys get just as excited after a big play as the others, and they've played way more legit football than us. One guy played in the National Championship last year - and yet after we won a game on a Hail Mary attempt, he was running around the field like a mad man. It's moments like those that I would never give back. And yeah yeah, I know I'm not playing contact football now, but my point is that the affinity I have for football grew a lot out of my old playing days. And yes, there are other team sports where you can have these types of experiences. But for me, nothing tops football. In college, we won 2 intramural basketball championships and one softball, and I'd trade all 3 of those for having won just one football championship. I just never cared about other sports like I did football. So if my Dad had said I couldn't play football, then I would have found another sport to like. But I'm not sure I'd have ever loved another sport like I do football. I'm glad I didn't have that taken away from me. If I have a kid who doesn't want to play football, then that will be fine too. And if he does want to play, then I'm sure I'll take into account a certain level of safety (coaching, program/league structure, etc), but that would be the same for any extracurricular activity. If it all checks out, then we're a go. Sorry, Tex - I realize that had nothing to do with your original post. But this whole thread seemed to have taken a turn, so I went with it. http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/06/03/ber...ds-of-football/

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 10:32 AM) In that scenario, I don't see either team putting in backups or anything along those lines. I don't think there is any advantage. Just win baby..just win Bears!!! Besides rest and chance at injury? There is an advantage. I could easily see some guys getting part of the 2nd half off, why wouldn't you. QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 05:27 PM) Ok seriously, why is it so f***in hard for people to say Alshon JEFFERY? Herm Edwardson just called him Jefferies on sportscenter. I just don't get it. BECAUSE HIS NAME IS ALSHON JEFFERIES YOU f***ING IDIOT

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 02:08 PM) So what if your kid was the next Peyton Manning? You think it is your right to keep him from playing? Yes, as I'm his Dad and know what's best. Trying to say I should let him play because he "could" be the next Peyton Manning is stupid. And yes, it's absolutely my right. I think that goes without saying. QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 02:10 PM) It's not even that. What if your kid just really, really wants to play football? Absolutely loves it to death. Are you going to tell him he can't? I played for 3 years and quit after my 8th grade year because I wasn't having fun playing it in pads. I still love it. Yes, I am. That's just me though.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 11:47 AM) Then I may as well keep them out of every competitive sport, right? You can get hit by line drives in baseballs, get undercut and crack your head open in basketball, get cut or slip and fall in hockey, drown in swimming...may as well relegate him to a life of video games. If my future child is interested in playing a sport, I will let them. If they aren't, I'm not going to make them play anything. QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 01:06 PM) I wouldnt convince my kid to play football, but if they wanted to, I would let them. No point in living if our lives are just a padded cage. The typical overreactions posts I was expecting. Football is not on the same page with most other sports. There's a reason it's getting much more attention. At some point, you do have to draw a line. That's every parent's choice.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 12:07 PM) I dont have a facebook account. I get why a young High School me may have wanted one, when my ego/persona was driven by adulation. But at some point I decided that I didnt give a f*** about what other people thought. The people that were just illusory friends from High School because of cliques and other bulls***, I could care less. I'm the same way, don't have one. It's turned into all about a cry for attention and look at me! bulls*** for way too many people. I guess that's what makes them feel important.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 10:41 AM) I find it hilarious when people post vacation pictures while they're on vacation. HEY WE AREN'T AT HOME COME ROB US. /sends this post to the wallet snatcher

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 10:33 AM) I will let them do what they want. When they have no idea the consequences? Smart.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 09:28 AM) I had been trying to talk my SIL into putting her son/my nephew into Pop Warner football. After seeing the two hour PBS frontline about how early the CTE problems started, I did a complete 180. Exactly.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 09:17 AM) Yeah, but that doesnt mean its Facebook material. People share entirely too much bulls*** on that thing these days. It's like showing me what crap meal you made for dinner, I just dont care. I think I've hid 85 percent of my friend list. OK, that part I can agree with. It's another reason I don't even bother to have Facebook.

One thing you can't do is bring back leather helmets. People would die right there on the field. With all the information out there, I think any parent that lets their kid play football is absolutely out of their mind. I also predict that in about 10 years, HS football won't exist. Everything will be club/travel leagues. High schools are about safety first, and at some point they aren't going to sponsor such a dangerous game anymore.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 08:51 AM) I love dogs so maybe its not annoying to me, but what takes the cake is that stupid f***ing elf thing. I dont give a f*** you bought an elf doll and now its hanging off your toilet seat. Deep breath. It's for the kids to run around and find the next day, it's a game for them to make Xmas fun (and a trick to get them to behave better).

Wow, what an embarrassment.

Which lucky Soxtalker won the Mega Millions?

QUOTE (Harry Chappas @ Dec 17, 2013 -> 09:22 AM) Jay Cutler, your table is ready, time to make your hay young fella. If the Bears beat the crap teams they should have under McCown the division would be sealed and Jay would be in the playoffs. Alas, this did not happen but thanks to the Lions, the division is there. They have to beat two good teams and then we will all see what the Bears are. This is great thing for this season. We know the offense can compete with anyone. Now we shift focus to the defense who hopefully gets Lance Briggs back. Tillman for the playoffs would have made things interesting if Ratliff continues to improve. The NFC North is bad because of injuries and the Lions. The Lions should have iced this thing a couple of weeks back. If the Giants beat the Lions and the Packers beat the Steelers, Sunday night's game is meaningless. And if the cowboys win earlier in the day, it's meaningless for Philly. So we know what to root for...

I was thinking about getting my Dad Netflix for Christmas (Mom would use it too, just less). They aren't the most tech-savvy people, but it seems like Netflix is a pretty easy process. Is this the way to go, or would you recommend a different route for getting TV shows/movies they'd want to watch? I don't know much about the different options out there, and would love to hear from people who have used any of them. Thanks.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 17, 2013 -> 11:59 AM) Yeah, I agree. Doesn't mean he's not going to be there or that he's not invited, but you don't want to guarantee his presence there if there's ultimately a chance that he could still be traded. People realize a trade would mean he's not there, not be angry that he was "guaranteed to be there." There's a chance anyone could be traded, so if they were worried about that, you'd never list current players. It's definitely curious.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Dec 16, 2013 -> 05:28 PM) Guys I have to admit, the Indiana fan was right, Wisconsin has had real trouble adjusting to the new rules.... Oh wait, I was right and its helped Wisconsin. LULZ http://www.teamrankings.com/ncaa-basketbal.../fouls-category Wisconsin 2013 14.8 fouls per game, 2012 14.0 fouls per game. Wisconsin 2013 ft attempts per game 22, 2012 ft attempts per game 17 I don't care about who's right or wrong, but I'd run these after BT play, or at least half of it.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Dec 16, 2013 -> 03:45 PM) Ha, how long have I known you? I couldn't care less about the Bears and have been on the Seahawks bandwagon the last few years. Maybe I should have said I like the Seahawks better than the Bears at the moment. It was more of wtf, Seahawks? That's total bandwagon. You do the wave now too?

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Dec 16, 2013 -> 12:50 PM) He's one of those guys that has too much intensity. He needs to dial it back and think about the bigger aspects of his game. BTW finals week is the worst part of the season. I hate going like 15 days with only two games. Yeah, weird schedule. 3 games in a row go Saturday, then Saturday, then Saturday.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Dec 16, 2013 -> 10:53 AM) I'm a bigger Seahawks fan than Bears fan and I'd pick the Hawks at home 99 times out of 100 but there's always that one time(the little giants taught me that), you just never know. What?

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Dec 16, 2013 -> 02:44 PM) The pitching isn't really remaining intact at all. We've lost 3 starters and our closer in the past year. The two most key pieces are there but every other spot is a question mark going forward. Hopefully people step up. I think he's referring to end-of-season, so it's not close to 3 starters.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Dec 16, 2013 -> 02:31 PM) He could be very wrong, but the risk is worth it. Four new starting, young players in 2014, and the pitching for the most part remains in-tact. Rick Hahn has my approval. Agreed, we have a reason to watch games...at least until June again. If the same stale roster was trotted out, no one would have been buying it.