About the book
American football was a violent sport from its beginning as a college game in the 1870s and 1880s, in part because learning how to deal with the pain and violence, to “take it,” made men out of college boys. Michael Oriard, former NFL linebacker and professor emeritus of English, shows us that this fundamental belief persisted for more than a century, until signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) were found in Pittsburgh Steelers' center Mike Webster’s brain. Suddenly, the cost of “taking it” could mean long-term damage not just to the body but also to the brain. Without anyone knowing it, that risk had soared since the 1950s and 1960s, when the hardshell plastic helmet became the primary weapon for blocking and tackling, as taught by a new generation of college coaches, led by the University of Alabama’s Bear Bryant.
In this cultural history of football at nearly all levels—high school, college, and pro—Oriard traces the perennial tension between health and culture regarding football as reflected in what the public read in newspapers, magazines, and online. Through examining how we once felt and how we now feel about the game, Oriard challenges us to grapple with the possibility that football might be too violent, in an intolerable way.
Editions of Sanctioned Savagery
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469690643
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469690650
- PDF
- ISBN 9781469690667
Read an Excerpt
American football was a violent sport from its beginning as a college game in the 1870s and 1880s, in part because learning how to deal with the pain and violence, to “take it,” made men out of college boys. Michael Oriard, former NFL linebacker and professor emeritus of English, shows us that this fundamental belief persisted for more than a century, until signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) were found in Pittsburgh Steelers' center Mike Webster’s brain. Suddenly, the cost of “taking it” could mean long-term damage not just to the body but also to the brain. Without anyone knowing it, that risk had soared since the 1950s and 1960s, when the hardshell plastic helmet became the primary weapon for blocking and tackling, as taught by a new generation of college coaches, led by the University of Alabama’s Bear Bryant.
In this cultural history of football at nearly all levels—high school, college, and pro—Oriard traces the perennial tension between health and culture regarding football as reflected in what the public read in newspapers, magazines, and online. Through examining how we once felt and how we now feel about the game, Oriard challenges us to grapple with the possibility that football might be too violent, in an intolerable way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sanctioned Savagery about?
American football was a violent sport from its beginning as a college game in the 1870s and 1880s, in part because learning how to deal with the pain and violence, to “take it,” made men out of college boys. Michael Oriard, former NFL linebacker and professor emeritus of English, shows us that this fundamental belief persisted for more than a century, until signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) were found in Pittsburgh Steelers' center Mike Webster’s brain. Suddenly, the cost of “taking it” could mean long-term damage not just to the body but also to the brain. Without anyone knowing it, that risk had soared since the 1950s and 1960s, when the hardshell plastic helmet became the primary weapon for blocking and tackling, as taught by a new generation of college coaches, led by the University of Alabama’s Bear Bryant.
In this cultural history of football at nearly all levels—high school, college, and pro—Oriard traces the perennial tension between health and culture regarding football as reflected in what the public read in newspapers, magazines, and online. Through examining how we once felt and how we now feel about the game, Oriard challenges us to grapple with the possibility that football might be too violent, in an intolerable way.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Sanctioned Savagery?
Sports and Active outdoor recreation > Sport: general > History of sport
Where can I read a sample of Sanctioned Savagery?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469690643
How long is Sanctioned Savagery and how many pages does it have?
Sanctioned Savagery has 304 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Sanctioned Savagery?
Michael Oriard
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Sanctioned Savagery is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469690643) and ebook(ISBN 9781469690650) and pdf(ISBN 9781469690667)
Where can I buy Sanctioned Savagery online or support local independent bookshops?
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Where can I buy Sanctioned Savagery?