By Steve Holt, Opinion Editor
I stand 5-foot-8 and weigh a solid 140 pounds. When I was in 10th grade I ran the 40-yard dash in a blistering 5.5 seconds. I have an oversized head and tend to bruise easily.
My scrawny self may have the opportunity to play tackle football next fall.
Director of intramurals Danny Kittley recently proposed that six-on-six tackle football in full padding could be added to next fall’s slate of intramural sports. From my perspective, this idea is destined to go the way of the wide receiver running a cross pattern-straight into the ground.
Shoot, that’s where I’d be if I played, and the only jersey I ever donned was a cross country singlet.
I see one problem with the idea, but it’s a biggun’. Formation of a six-man league would undoubtedly create an unfair advantage for the bigger and faster teams.
Behemoth ACU stars Brad Walton and Derek Degrate would be licking their chops at the prospect of a “fifth year” of eligibility in the six-man league. There’s a dangerous thought: former ACU linebackers lining up against some schmoes who’ve never before donned football pads. But who’s to stop the entire D-line from playing six-man while the guys finish up their degrees?
And if the starting six for the soon-to-be state champion Panthers of ACHS decide to play at the “next level,” we’re all in big trouble.
Kittley better put the number for Hendrick Medical Center in his speed dial now.
The only fair way to avoid lopsided games resulting in hospital visits would be equal division of teams based on football experience, size and position. But that would be a bear of a task.
Enough ankles are sprained and ACLs torn in flag football. Who wants to call the mother of a freshman who is in the ICU after a train wreck with some former all-district free safety?
Pads or no pads, putting un-coached and potentially inexperienced players on a football field for a free-for-all is a bad idea. It might sound nice and look feasible on paper, but Mr. Kittley would do well for himself to just add a different sport…like ultimate Frisbee.
