The record-union., 1896-12-05
is TIE GAME WORTH TIT

On Thanksgiving Day football games
were numerous throughout the country.
The Chicago Tribune has collated the
items of accidents In 30 games of that
day. They foot up-names. places and
details being given. which we omit
injured forty-six, one being killed out
right The injuries were COLLAR bones
broken three cases. body badly bruised
sometimes very seriously-six cases.
seriously hurt Internally seven cases,
head badly injured seven cases, in one
Of them the whole Of the scalp was
torn OF. Arms, ribs and legs broken
or otherwise seriously injured eight
cases. limbs dislocated four cases, back
seriously hurt four cases, features
crushed, some injured permanently.
seven cases. OF these two will die,
two may remain In an invalid asylum,
three will be Life cripples. OF the men
injured ixernally some will be rup-
tured for life.
recapitulate: There were $50 men en-
gagged in the games played in which
participants We're injured: Of these one
was killed outright, two so hurt that
they viii die, and two are, 1t Is feared,
destined to be for life asylum inmates,
while the other forty-one will wholly
or In part recover. Thus we have
nearly per cent Of the whole num-
ber engaged In the game in a single
day injured, dead or dying. We re-
peat the question: Is the game worth
It?
No one wants the youths in colleges
to grow UP weak and effeminate; no
one objects to vigorous, healthful ex-
ercise, and plenty Of it. Not a soul
raises any objection to proper athletic
games and engagement in them by col
lege youths. But, soberly and seri-
ously, Is the game Of football as prac-
ticed worth the cost?
More men, be 1t noted, were injured
or killed In one day in the last week
in November, Ammo Domini 1896, in
football playing than have been seri-
ously injured In scientific boxing and
glove prize-fghting in ten years.
though the number OF men who have
entered the ring has far exceeded in
that time the number who went upon
the gridiron field.
II We are to answer our own ques-
ton, we give a negative reply un
hssitatingly: the game 10 not worth it.
ALI the excuses and specious arguments
Of Camp and Deland to the contrary
win not avail. These two famous
ooAchsrs In their book Just out say:
TN considering the physical disad-
vantages possible to the player by rea-
SON of INJURY or injudicious training,
let & b rsmsubered that no peuma-
nsnt injury from football has resulted
to any player In the last ten years
At any c6 the nve leading colleges Of
ths country"
This = hsdging. and not fair. for
II chs colleges lead. the multitude of
youths outside ef colleges win follow
In clubs, schools and match town games
81 Rivalry. Against the statement Of
Gimp and Deland we quote from the
saTs4hume'1' record In q few Instances,
aaA au r0aakad to colleges:
Reed o8 Coeusll; rendered hAlplea ct
Ph1hAslphsa.
Amrnon Of Western Reserve Uni
vermty; oollar-hons hroken In gams
at Cleveland.
Hotchkiso, W. g.. Mayfair; knocked
DOWN and tramp3ed On during Evans
ton game. axm broken and injured In
tarually.
White OF Cornell; injured about the
head.
Upp. c., Toledo: crushed about the
bedy IN Q game with the Michigan
freshman
Goblin OF Purdue; made delirious by
blow on head.
Hall Of Purdue: right knee dislocated.
Hunter Of Northwestern: sprained
unck and bruised shoulder.
Gov Harry, half back OF the Uni
vsrstty Of Chicago team; shoulder dis
locatpa.
Theue may not prove permanent in
lse1nn ~ tnnA hut who wishss his