The Thin Line Between "Tradition" and "We Don't Know Any Better"

It was mentioned today that Penguin's forward and captain, Sidney Crosby will be out indefinitely with concussion-like symptoms.  Crosby first suffered a concussion last year during the annual Winter Classic against the Washington Capitals.  Approximately three days later, he played against the Tampa Bay Lightning and that would be the last time we would see Sidney Crosby skate until just a couple of weeks ago.  Of course, he picked up right where he left off: 2 goals and 2 assists.  Now, after a "lingering headache" since facing Boston last week and taking an elbow in that game, Crosby approached the Pens and mentioned that he just didn't feel right and needed to sit out.  First, chalk that up that not only is he the league's best player, he's one of their smartest.  Second, credit to the Penguins for not questioning or applying any undo pressure to Crosby to "give it a go." 

I'm a traditionalist.  When it comes to sports, I don't like change.  Evolution, I can accept.  Equipment gets better.  Conditioning and strength training is better.  I even consider the rule "changes" to avoid dangerous head shots is an evolution.  But the debate of fighting is starting to pick up speed, especially with the recent deaths of NHL (@NHL) enforcers Derek Boogaard, Wade Belak and Rick Rypien.  Of course, the big question is does fighting still have a "place in today's game," or is the safety of the players at too great of a risk to allow it to continue?  Well, let's take a look at both sides.  I think it's easier to start with the "remove fighting" side first.  There's obvious data that points to the serious ramifications taking blows to the head repeatedly has on the human brain.  The Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy, Boston University has stated the amount of damage found when dissecting part of Boogaard's brain was staggering, considering his young age.  It was noted in the incredible piece by John Branch from the New York Times, that the level of damage was for certain to cause dementia, however, not in the later years of Derek's life, but in his mid-life...sometime in the 30's.  Can you even fathom living out a majority of your life with no recollection of your life's accomplishments, friends and most of all, family?  The great Brent Severyn (@brentseveryn) provided insight into the life of an enforcer for SI, and what really stuck with me is how physically ill it made him knowing he was going to have to fight.  But like he and Boogaard stated, they weren't the fastest...they didn't handle the puck the best, so in order for them to crack into the NHL, they had to crack someone who had made it.  Although the only death to be directly attributed to drugs was that of Boogaard's, the depression that was suffered by Rypien and Belak were most likely being treated medically, and once you introduce a substance with an unknown amount/level of brain damage, then there's no way anyone can know what the end result can be. 

On the other side of the argument with fighting in hockey is that it is still needed for several reasons.  One is the tradition.  Brandon Worley (@brandonworley) made a great point on Defending Big D (@defendingbigd) today when he pointed out that fighting is not highly looked upon during the playoffs or Olympic play.  Are you to tell me that because of tradition, fighting should be allowed to continue?  But it's very evident that these guys can "flip the switch" when the playoffs roll around or every four years when the Olympics come along.  Now, the first school of thought would be that the enforcers don't get picked for the Olympic teams and they're generally scratches come playoff time.  Well, as mentioned above, there are those who aren't as prolific with speed or scoring so they learn to fight.  I can't skate seven feet without falling on my butt.  I know my future with the NHL is limited to writing about it (in some fashion).  If players aren't good enough to do the skillful things required of hockey players, then perhaps there's no room for them in the game?  Then there's the "entertainment value."  Fighting is exciting!  It draws the crowd and gets them pumped up.  You know what else brings the people in droves and gets the excited about a team?  Winning.  Scoring goals.  Clean, well timed hits. 

I was first attracted to this sport when I saw someones face sliced open by a skate.  Later in that game, there was a fight...and the refs just STOOD THERE!  I was in love instantly.  Then, I learned the rules and the strategy and the history.  I observed these 240 pound, 6-foot plus men chasing a 3-inch piece of vulcanized frozen rubber...on ice skates...while trying to put the piece of rubber in a 6-foot by 4-foot opening, where someone who's made to look 6'10", 380 pounds stands in front of the goal.  There was this skill that I've never seen in any sport.  Here I am almost 25 years later worried that the sport's best player may never lace up the skates again.  There was no fight that put him in that position.  No matter what your fighting "stance" happens to be, make no doubt about it: if the league loses Crosby for an extended period of time...again, we all lose.