As a football fan and player, it is disheartening to see the way that football players are often treated as nothing more than objects for entertainment. These men are so much more than the highlights we see on TV or the stats we read in the paper; they are human beings with their own thoughts, feelings, and ambitions. It is time that we start treating them as such.

One of the main reasons that football players are often seen as something other than human is the way that they are portrayed in the media. From the constant coverage of their personal lives to the relentless focus on their performance on the field, it can be easy to forget that these are real people with their own experiences and emotions. They are not just players, but sons, brothers, and fathers who deserve to be treated with respect and compassion. 

Recently the NFL was faced with a very tough situation when safety Damar Hamlin suddenly collapsed on the football field. Many decisions had to be made on whether the NFL should continue playing the game or not. The NFL decided to not continue the game which many people think was the right decision. Before this incident many injuries had happened before that the NFL seemed to barely care about. On December 4, 2017 Ryan Shazier went down on the football field after making a tackle (ESPN). He ended up being carted off the field and it was later found out that he was paralyzed. The NFL continued with normal schedules and little to nothing was done to help improve the safety of football players.

Another reason that football players are sometimes seen as something other than human is the sheer size and strength of many of them. It is not uncommon for football players to be larger and stronger than the average person. According to the NFL, the average weight of an NFL player is 224 lbs which is almost 15 pounds more than the average weight of a professional basketball player. This can lead to a perception that they are somehow different or less human. However, it is important to remember that these physical differences do not make them any less human. They still have the same emotions, desires, and needs as the rest of us, and they deserve to be treated with respect and compassion.

It is also worth noting that football players often put their bodies on the line every time they step onto the field. According to the NY Times, the NFL has an average of 120 injuries per season with the number increasing every season. Players are at risk of serious injury every time they play, and many of them suffer long-term consequences as a result of their years of playing the game. Despite this, they continue to play because they love the sport and because they want to compete at the highest level. This level of dedication and commitment is something that should be respected and admired, not overlooked or taken for granted.

It is time that we start treating football players as the human beings that they are. They deserve to be treated with respect and compassion, and they should not be seen as nothing more than objects to be used for entertainment. Whether they are professional athletes or just playing for fun, football players are people who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.