The Selfish Truth: Injuries in the NFL

4,493

That's the number of injuries that afflicted NFL players over the 2011 season. This is kind of a scary statistic when you consider the NFL only has 1,696 active players at any given point. This is mostly minor injuries that only hold a player out of practice for around a week, but even those injuries can lead to missed games. 

There is no greater shame in sports than when an athlete can't compete because of injury. It's like if you had the job of your dreams and you couldn't go because of something out of your control. It hurts the athlete most of all, of course. But other people are affected by it as well.

What can you do? Fandom v. Fantasy

Picture this!

You're at your annual fantasy football draft. You and the guys are sharing some brews and some stories of last years season about how Kenny Britt didn't pan out just the way you expected (again). You get to your pick (number 10...of course) and you look to your needs and who's available. You're okay at Running Back and QB for now but what you could really use is a solid Receiver. You've also heard a lot about how Tight Ends are the big thing this year. And Matthew Berry said it?! That guy's info is gold! Sign me up! AND You have the wrap around pick and can scoop up that WR and that TE in one fell swoop! Look's like this blind squirrel just found a nut!

Let's see who's the next best players available! It's Jason Witten and Dez Bryant. The guys behind them  are a ways off. Great right?!

What if you're an Eagle's Fan? You want to win your fantasy league, but the thought of cheering for two Cowboys players every week makes your stomach turn. If they both have big games for you, odds are this could lead to a Dallas victory. And Tony Romo will jump around with his smug smile and think he's an elite quarter back and Chris Collinsworth will confirm this. And you wanted it that way. So it's all your fault.

Home Team Bias

The 2008 World Series win for the Philadelphia Phillies was the greatest sports related moment in my life. Come to think of it, maybe the best non sports related moment as well. The drama, the excitement, the sight of Brad Lidge falling to his knees and Carlos Ruiz embracing him. It still gives me chills watching it to this day. But I always wonder if the Phillies were not my home team would I feel this way? If Citizens Bank Park wasn't just a short drive down 95 South, would I have felt years of losing seasons and missing the playoffs was finally worth it? If I was a Phillies fan from lets say, Kentucky, would I really have had the same feeling? I do not think I would have, but that raises this question. Is it really ok to be a fan of a non-home team?

Before I give you my answer to that question I would like to give a break down on different types of Sports fans.

Home Team Across The Board: They like every pro sports team from their home city. They hate every rival team, and display their colors proudly. The best type of fan. This one gets a thumbs up.

The Different City Allegiance Fan: They, or their parents are from a different area but their allegiance remained. My friend's father is from New York, he likes the Jets and the (please hold your laughter to the end) Mets even though he lives in the Philadelphia Area. This type of fan is totally acceptable in my book. If I were to move, my allegiance would remain with Philadelphia. This fan also gets a thumbs up.