"Did we win?"

This was reportedly the first question from Damar as he regained consciousness. To me this is symbolic of what matters to him, and his love for the sport. People take risks for what they love, some more than others.

I believe it's only been twenty years or so since CTE was linked to football, but football was always a dangerous sport. 40 years ago I grew up with kids who weren't allowed to play. If we're going to judge parents for letting their kids play, I wonder if I'll be judged for taking my kids snowboarding? After all, dozens die each year on the slopes of North America, and beyond that there are countless serious injuries. Doctors want to replace my shoulder due to repeated snowboarding injuries that affect my daily life, but yet I still go. Bicycling takes a far greater toll: 1000 deaths and 130,000 injuries a year. Should we keep our kids off bikes? I don't believe we have all the answers on whether running leads to joint degeneration, yet I look forward to my daughter running track.

To answer the question in the subject line, I'm a new fan of football. New as in just this season. My kid is a freshman in a D1 school and it's been fun to watch and root for. College sports bring attention and money to schools and offer some kids opportunities. For example my neighbor got a full ride playing D1 football and is now a veterinarian. Anyway, we quickly started watching more college ball, and then NFL. A lot of football on our TV these days. Yes, I was watching the Bills game. As Nini stated above, the game has become a lot more interesting as I've been learning about it; not just a bunch of Neanderthals running around. Just like I learned to appreciate basketball when my daughter started playing; before that I thought of it as just people running back and forth alternating hoops to put the ball through. Anyone who speaks of NASCAR as just cars going around the oval obviously doesn't have an appreciation for the strategies. I don't follow NASCAR anymore but when I did it was very exciting, and not because of the crashes. In answer to Elmer's question, I wouldn't have been too supportive of my own kid playing football, but that would be our choice.

As for the GoFundMe, of course any cause that gets national or celebrity attention is likely to get a lot of support. I hope that the money will be put to good use. The site is now crashing on me, but last I looked the funds went from being used for toys to being used "to support Damar and his community" or something more vague like that. What also struck me at the time were the amount of small donations. $5 was the most common that I saw. Pages and pages of them. People like to show support when they're moved; It's human nature. Watching the events unfold, live, was an emotional experience. I can't be cynical about people reacting to that. Showcase a cancer kid on the morning news and the donations are going to come rolling in. Is it fair that the kid gets all this help while countless others in the same situation don't? I guess the choice whether to be happy for the kid or cynical, is ours to make.

Sorry for the long post but now I don't have time to go back and trim it!

" I thought this was just Home Decorating Conversations. Why KT? "

I understand how a thread about watching football ended up in The Kitchen Table discussions, but why was it posted in Home Decorating Conversations? Weird to me.....I guess as weird to you as it being in KT.

Toronto, the two groups are similar, where people gather to talk about off topic topics- Home Decorating Conversations is not only about Home Decorating. Many of us have people we like and respect in both groups, and some topics lend themselves to being shared in both.

Whoa! I am not the member who was criticizing Hamlin's foundation - check my replies.

I was commenting on those who did sit in judgement of it, of him, and of each other, along with some who continue to use ad hominem in their frequent arguments.

I'm well aware that I know nobody here IRL, and try not to attribute characteristics to people I've never met personally - other than what I've observed via their conversations here. I am not offended or chagrined by disagreement, but I've observed that some people seem to be.

I'm not a sports fan, but I recognize its place in our society/culture. Sports bring a lot of joy to many people in various ways. I also recognize that commerce, as with so many areas of our culture, can create serious problems.

P.S. Maybe it's a boomer thing, but that Laugh-In tagline was once what is now known as a viral sensation, and lots of people back then used it the way I did here.

carolb, I didn't even have to click on your clip to start laughing! I dig how you used it, to use another old expression :-)

Maybe 'sock it to me' is more appropriate for this thread?

Home Decorating Conversations

This is the off-topic conversations forum for members of Home Decorating.

Kitchen Table

This is a place where you can chat about topics not covered by the other forums. Like, why is one leg of the table always shorter than the other three?

I think the topic fits both.

Dark, lonejack, very dark.

" and lots of people back then used it the way I did here. "

No, I don't think so. I described above the misuse and misunderstanding of these words in an earlier comment.

Along with those proclaiming "A pox on you", encountering this incorrect use of the words judge and judgement have been quite limited in my experiences. Then and now. Likely for others too. Reread Toronto Vet's comments above, they were spot on and quite clear.

Thanks, lucille; it was a group I'd never heard of

" P.S. Maybe it's a boomer thing, but that Laugh-In tagline was once what is now known as a viral sensation, and lots of people back then used it the way I did here. "

That would be weird, because it was a comedy tag line from a stand-up comedy routine that was kind of like a comedic version of Judge Judy (not that that show isn't comedy enough).

Pretty sure that back then, not very many suburban white people were aware that Sammy Davis Jr. was channeling another black entertainer. I was in elementary school, and things here were quite segregated. I didn't learn who Pigmeat Markham was until I was an adult.

BTW, another line often repeated was 'you bet your sweet bippy' 😃

Language evolves. Many words in use today have different meanings than they originally did, however there is not much new about the use of the terms 'judge' or 'judgemental', only more emphasis on rejecting rigid attitudes.

Maybe this'll help:

judge |jəj|

verb [ with obj. ]

form an opinion or conclusion about: scientists were judged according to competence | [ with clause ] : it is hard to judge whether such opposition is justified | [ no obj. ] : judging from his letters home, Monty was in good spirits.

judgment |ˈjəjmənt| (also judgement)

noun

1 the ability to make considered decisions or come to sensible conclusions: an error of judgment | that is not, in my judgment, the end of the matter.

• an opinion or conclusion: they make subjective judgments about children's skills.

• a decision of a court or judge: the Supreme Court upheld the judgment of the Alberta Court of Appeal.

2 a misfortune or calamity viewed as a divine punishment: the crash had been a judgment on the parents for wickedness.

PHRASES

against one's better judgment

contrary to what one believes to be wise or sensible.

pass judgment

(of a court or judge) give a decision concerning a defendant or legal matter: he passed judgment on the accused.

• criticize or condemn someone from a position of assumed moral superiority.

reserve judgment

delay the process of judging or giving one's opinion.

sit in judgment

assume the right to judge someone, especially in a critical manner.

And again - I haven't posted a single negative comment about Hamlin, his charity, or those who donated to it - was I mistaken for someone else?

You've gotten good cutting and pasting practice but you missed finding a passage that covers your misuse of the words.

I am not commenting one way or another about his charity, but it was truly an inspiration to see so many expressing prayers for his behalf. I hope each of them remember to thank God for their answered prayers!

I believe that giving thanks is the best form of prayer.

When I played football, when someone was injured and play stopped, the coach would yell out to us on the field "Take a knee". Standing around when waiting can be misconstrued as impatience or a lack of respect for the injured player being attended to. Taking a knee is more respectful. It didn't involve anything religious or spiritual.

Similarly, the photo of those kneeling and in a circle may have simply followed the coach talking to the group gathered around and then asking them to kneel, bow their heads, and wish the injured person well. Or it could have been something else.

I think when people who have concern and wish for better days and recovery from problems for others who have a problem, it's done more often in a secular way than otherwise. Many don't have religious beliefs. And as a result, don't practice spiritual prayer

Many of us watching, prayed right along with Josh Allen-the Bills coach who gathered his team to pray. I'm sure many, many watching did also. I am so happy to hear Damar Hamlin is doing better!

Similarly, the photo of those kneeling and in a circle may have simply followed the coach talking to the group gathered around and then asking them to kneel, bow their heads, and wish the injured person well. Or it could have been something else.

while i'm sure many prayers were being said, there were several reports that the team encircled the downed player to shield what the paramedics were doing (cpr) from the eyes of the spectators.

i'm happy to see that he is making such a remarkable recovery!

"I think when people who have concern and wish for better days and recovery from problems for others who have a problem, it's done more often in a secular way than otherwise."

Well of course. You have to have thoughts before you can have prayers; Prayers are an additional conscious step. If you think of a Venn Diagram, prayer would be a subset of thought. If either thoughts or prayers or both work, prayer covers all bases.

Anyway, unless there's a secular reason to paint eye black in the shape of a cross, I'd guess Damar appreciates prayer at least as much as good wishes.

Let's be honest, a big part of this is about doing what makes you feel good about yourself, so I suggest just do or don't do whatever you want and don't worry about what others do in this regard.

Isn't it time to shut down this "conversation"? No one is changing their mind, their opinion, and it is just pointless.

Can you imagine the hurt, the heartbreak, Hamlin and his family would feel if they saw this thread?

I don't think we should censor simply because there are divergent points of view. Somehow, I don't think Hamlin would want to silence those who see things differently, either.

If Damar Hamlin cannot play football again—way too early to even speculate short and long term, this charity will become his life’s work. It’s very encouraging, seeing him on social media and now watching the game from his hospital bed with his family. The opening kickoff for a TD—can’t get any more magical!

Isn't it time to shut down this "conversation"?

Why? You're done so others need to be too? People are still returning and commenting so it's apparently not time. Just skip on by if you're done with it.

HU#, there are so many other threads you could be reading that you might not find "pointless." Finding one sounds like a fun Sunday project.

In the unlikely event they'd read it, I think Mr Hamlin's family might be as perplexed by this thread as I am! "... and that's the truth, phhhhhbbbt!"

(Best wishes for the young man's recovery)

Agreed, nickel. I can imagine their thoughts when reading that someone described their 24 year old son, who just suffered sudden cardiac arrest, as “the dude with a heart attack.”

☹️

I just noticed Elmer's comment - "There are many sports teams with women owners."

Bingo. The Seahawks and the Portland Trailblazers are owned by Jody Allen.

Some of the others can maybe help. What is the other username/identity of the person who appears here as HU-929826674?

^^^ Probably someone with two accounts. So they can flag more posts.

Don't rule out the glitchiness of Houzz and the fact that some folks have had trouble getting into their old accounts, and had to create new ones.

I believe I also read about at least one poster for whom Houzz strangely removed her handle and gave her a digital "name" instead, and she couldn't get her old name back.

If there is a glitch, the poster would know before submitting their comment.

Why not sign their post including their usual gardenweb name?

Simple answer to the OP;s question: No. Never have been, either. I'd rather watch grass grow. Now if I were personally acquainted with a person playing the game - that might differ.

Vikings won today 29 - 14, (or something like that)!

Niners are 13-4 with our brilliant third-string rookie QB.

And the Seahawks won in OT against the Rams. We're all watching Lions vs. Packers game tonight and if the Lions win, we're going to the playoffs! 🏈

The Bears probably get the first-round draft pick. Sigh.

Yes, Chicago gets the #1 pick in the NFL draft.

Eagles won the NFC East title. Phew.

Jody Allen is the sister of Paul Allen, cofounder of Microsoft. She became executor of his estate and assumed ownership of those teams upon his death, so not exactly the same as owning a team outright by a woman.

^^ oh my, such a pesky detail. I live in Seattle so I kinda know who she is 🙄

She's been on the board of the Seahawks for years. Indeed she assumed ownership of the team when Paul Allen died in 2018. She still needs to know something about running a business for the team to be successful and profitable. Read her bio. She's a pretty successful businesswoman.

She's a woman who owns two sports teams.

Curious about what percentage of big league teams are owned by women?

Need to go look that up now...

The Giants are in the playoffs for the first time in a very long time. Note, I do not expect them to go very far, but it's hopefully a step in the right direction.

The Dolphins are also in the playoffs for the first time in forever. I don't expect them to even win a single game (especially if Tua cannot play), but again, a step in the right direction.

As an aside, I think Tua needs to retire. He's going to have serious health issues and it's just not worth it IMO.

Go Dawgs! 38-7 at halftime for national championship.

No, I generally do not enjoy watching sports. Oddly I do enjoy playing some sports, though not football in particular. I played some sports in high school and was very competitive, but too prone to injury. I think I loved the physicality of it and the challenge, but don't have a deep love of any sports that would drive me to watch.

My husband started watching football after a few months of military training in Texas (and hadn't ever before that). I assume it's something in the water. I dislike the sounds (whistles, yelling, grunting) when it's background noise on the main TV in the house and I'm doing other things. I have gone to a few local college football games and when I was a kid I went to some local NBA games and I find it more enjoyable in person. I certainly can understand why people enjoy watching sports, but it's not for me.

I am sad to hear about the football player who experienced cardiac arrest during the game. I hope he's able to heal back to full capability without any lingering effects. Unfortunately many sports carry risk of serious injury or possible death. And as someone who was a student athlete, I know first hand that serious injury can occur when you are pushing yourself as hard as you can. Sometimes the body just cannot withstand the forces or you happen to be unlucky and something happens. I think I had a little of both going on when I kept getting injured, and none of the sports I was playing were intended to be full contact. (Though several of the injuries occurred from physical contact - some intentional and some unintentional.) We all make our choices in life in terms of what we do for living and what we do for fun.

Uffda!!! My Vikings play the Giants in Minneapolis this Sunday @ 3:30 CST. I HOPE they don't have to turn it into another frantic "come-from-behind" mess again!! 🤪🏈🤓🥳

At least Aaron & the pack stay home this year......😈😈😈

SKOL!!!!

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Our KC Chiefs get to loll about and rest this weekend with their bye!! Diehard Chiefs fan and also a fan of whatever team is playing against Tom Brady! LOL

We are a football family. Steelers forever. So sorry they didn't make the playoffs. they had a terrible start and lots of injuries but came back strong. Hopefully better next .

Who to root for now? Whoever is playing against the Ravens lol

Good luck to the teams still in it We'll be watching!

Go Dawgs!