By David Stillwell

Back in the day, I remember football being something different from what it seems to have become. Back then it was positive. My dad watched football and in turn passed the love of the game on to his children.

What has football become today? I hesitate to pass the love of the game onto the young. I don’t want my children to grow up respecting people like Ray Rice and thinking that spousal abuse is remotely acceptable. I don’t want my children to grow up thinking that stealing the other team’s playbook is remotely acceptable. I don’t want my kids to think stealing is the answer to any of the problems that they might face in life. I don’t want my children to think that if hard work is not enough that they should begin to inject steroids into their bodies to make up the difference. I don’t want them to think that substances like steroids, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, or what have you are remotely acceptable.