Before today, I wasn't familiar with the term “contact sport.” Although I often watch these sports on my phone, I didn't know its official name. According to my dictionary, contact sport is a sport where participants necessarily come into bodily contact with one another. Basically, just as the name implies, a sport where participants physically interact. For example, boxing and rugby.
Although these sports are rough and dangerous, they are loaded with many benefits. Not only do they help participants stay active and fit, they are also a form of entertainment. More importantly, they help generate income. Many athletes out rely solely on contact sports. It is their job- their means of putting food on the table. Even as dangerous as these things are, they get huge money from it. Do you think if some of these boxers and American footballers had a choice they'd keep on with this profession, considering how unsafe and dangerous it can be? The main reason Tyson Fury stopped boxing (until he returned to fight Logan Paul) was because his body couldn't take it any longer. Also, he couldn't afford his kids seeing him battered after every fight. These sports have been in existence way before I was born. For decades now, contact sports have been a form of entertainment. So, eradicating them completely is out of the picture. The best thing to do to make them safer is to keep them regulated.
First off, safety measures should be implemented and strictly followed. Compared to other other sports, the risk of sustaining injuries in contact sports is very high. In 2015, Prichard Colon, a professional boxer had a fight with Terrel Williams. In that fight, he was repeated puched in the back of his head. After that fight, he seemed normal. But according to sources, he was fainted and was rushed to the hospital. Apparently, the punches badly affected his brain. Prichard Colon has been in a vegetative State since then. Do you know what a vegetable means? It means he is unable to do anything now- a complete imbecile. A professional boxer who used to enjoy life turned to a vegetable just in a blink of an eye. This is the evil side of contact sports. In worse cases, these injuries lead to death.
As I mentioned, safety methods should be implemented and strictly followed. For example, participants must wear proper equipment like helments. I stopped watching boxing a long time ago. However, I still come across many boxing reels on social media platforms and it is alarming that these boxers do not wear helmets. The use of helments would reduce the risk of head injuries. I'm pretty sure if Pricahrd Colon had worn an helmet, the punches wouldn't have affected his brain as bad as severely. Also, the importance of mouthguards cannot be overemphasized.
Just as helmet protects the brain, mouthguards protect the mouth. I'm certain that participants make use of mouthguards in boxing, but I'm unsure if this is also practiced in other contact sports like Rugby. I'm not a fan of rugby, but I have seen videos of the sport, and in all the videos that I have seen, I'm not sure I've seen them wear a mouthpad. Rugby is just like a mini version of boxing. Unlike boxing, the main goal of participants is not to hit oppentnts. However, in the course of playing, they do so whch is totally not against the rules. Although they use thick and heavy helmets, adding mouthguards would provide extra protection. One cannot be too careful.
Moving on, unsportmanship should be regulated. In contact sports, we have referees who control the game. Sometimes, participants are filled with adrenaline and get lost in the process that they forget to listen to the referee. Such act should be punished. For instance, in wrestling, whenever a participant blacks out (or is on the edge of blacking out), the referee stops the match and declares the other opponent he winner. However, even after “blowing the whistle” to stop the match, some boxers still go ahead to land a few more punches. Such act should be greatly punished to prevent further happenings.
Finally, adequate screening should be taken by safety protocols. Regardless of whatever reasons, people who have health issues should not be allowed to participate in contact sports. Imagine someone with a minor brain injury participating in boxing. No matter how minor it it, they shouldn't be allowed to participate. In addition, participates should live on healthunfood and go for regular checkups.
Thanks for reading.
