A Word: Dying for Football?

Slate News

Slate Podcasts

News Commentary, Politics, News

4.5 • 6K Ratings

🗓️ 8 January 2023

⏱️ 24 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin seems to be making a remarkable recovery after suffering cardiac arrest on Monday Night Football. But the incident has renewed questions about how the NFL tries –and often fails– to keep the sport from threatening the health of its athletes. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by veteran sports journalist Howard Bryant to discuss the NFL’s history of responding to injuries, and whether media and fans are complicit in the suffering of players. Guest: Sports writer Howard Bryant, author of Full Dissidence: Notes from an Uneven Playing Field Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola You can skip all the ads in A Word by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/awordplus for just $1 for your first month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This is a word, a podcast from Slate. I'm your host, Jason Johnson. The NFL will
0:07.4	struck by tragedy this week as Buffalo Bill's player, Demar Hamlin, suffered cardiac arrest
0:12.7	on the field during a Monday night football game. Though Hamlin seems to be recovering,
0:17.5	the incident renewed questions about whether it's even possible to make the NFL safer.
0:23.6	The problem with football is football. It always has been, when you play this sport, this
0:30.2	is the price.
0:31.5	Demar Hamlin in safety in the NFL, coming up on a word with me, Jason Johnson. Stay with us.
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1:00.9	Light.
1:01.6	Welcome to a word, a podcast about race and politics and everything else. I'm your host, Jason
1:12.2	Johnson. For the NFL, this time of year is supposed to bring excitement as teams fight it
1:17.5	out on the field to earn their spot in the playoffs. But this year's postseason will start
1:21.8	on a somber note, after Buffalo Bill's player Demar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest early
1:27.3	in a Monday night football game against the Cincinnati Bengals. After getting knocked
1:31.3	down during a totally unremarkable play, Hamlin stood momentarily on the collapse back
1:37.3	onto the field. Hamlin endured more than nine minutes of CPR before his heartbeat was
1:42.2	restored, and he was taken to a local hospital.
1:45.4	At this time, Hamlin remains in critical condition, but seems to be on the road to recovery.
1:51.3	Still the incident reminded fans about the dangers of the sport. But is there anything
	...

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