You really have to wonder about the future of sports when you read something like this...

Osi Umenyiora on his Twitter this morning:

"Its an awesome game and has done a lot for me, but i know when im 45 there is a strong chance il be in a wheelchair."

You know, there's approximately 1,500 former NFL players, according to NBC's Pro Football Talk, that are suing the league for concussions.

You almost begin to wonder if the league's only suitable defense is to say that these players actually want to be crippled.  Not that that's a reasonable defense, but there you go.

I will make a prediction here and now.  I believe there will be at least one state in this country (not a major football power -- we're talking maybe a North Dakota or a Wyoming here or somesuch) for which this fall might well be the last year of organized high school football.  This is gathering steam way too quickly for people not to take a lot of notice.

And HERE COME THE NEANDERTHALS to defend the Great American Institution of Football:

The article itself:

"It would be interesting to know how many of the 1,500 or so former players currently suing the NFL would have said the same thing during their playing days. Most NFL players are content to accept the possibility of serious injury so that they can play an awesome game."

 The commenters:

7thLombardiOnTheWay:  "This is why he isn’t a Steeler."

 cakemixa:  "He’ll also still be complaining about his contract."

 hairpie:  "I have an idea Osi, how bout you dont play football, you stop complaining and you get a regular job like everyone else?"

(Not understanding that part of the problem is that most of these people can't even get a regular job anymore, as they are so tied into football...)

 Theslex:  "GO. AWAY."

 chadmurdigan:  "Don’t these guys have anything else to talk about? Geezus, let’s get the season started so we have something actually newsworthy and interesting to read."

 burnzy32:  "yes Osi your life is so hard, the millions and millions of dollars to play a game, that most of us that God didn’t bless with amazing talent, would still play for FREE if it weren’t for issues of having to clock in 40 hrs a week to make a 1/3 of your one weeks game check."

 Maybe those caveman commercials are more appropo for NFL contests than I used to give credit for...