Changes

{{See also|Beating NFL addiction}}: ''this campaign helped reduce [[Super Bowl]] audience by 2M in 2026, and dropped it below 40% of households.''

{{See also|Beating NFL addiction}}: ''This campaign helped reduce [[Super Bowl]] audience by 2M in 2026, and dropped it below 40% of households.''

[[File:Pontiac Stadium misery.jpg|right|thumb|Taxpayer-funded Pontiac Silverdome ([[Detroit]]), host of [[Super Bowl]] XVI, in miserable disrepair prior to its demolition.]]

[[File:Pontiac Stadium misery.jpg|right|thumb|Taxpayer-funded Pontiac Silverdome ([[Detroit]]), host of [[Super Bowl]] XVI, in miserable disrepair prior to its demolition.]]

'''Unplug the NFL''' is advocated by ''Conservapedia'' in response to the [[NFL]]'s [[paganism]], its [[Lifespan of NFL players and fans|shortening of lifespans]], its promotion of [[gambling]] (50M [[American]]s bet on the [[Super Bowl]]) rather than [[chivalry|sportsmanship]], its bilking of taxpayers of billions for stadiums, and its [[Blacklisting Tim Tebow|exclusion of Tim Tebow]] apparently for quoting the [[Bible]] too much.<ref>The slogan "unplug the NFL" was created by ''Conservapedia'', with this entry.  Others are welcome to use this slogan, preferably with attribution.</ref>  Collusion among owners and coaches include [[NFL sham tryouts]] and sham coaching interviews.<ref>https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/02/03/agent-lions-held-sham-interview-with-teryl-austin-before-hiring-matt-patricia/</ref>  '''''Many websites express dismay at how [[demonic]] the NFL really is'''''.

'''Unplug the NFL''' is advocated by ''Conservapedia'' in response to the [[NFL]]'s [[paganism]], its [[Lifespan of NFL players and fans|shortening of lifespans]], its promotion of [[gambling]] (50M [[American]]s bet on the [[Super Bowl]]) rather than [[chivalry|sportsmanship]], its bilking of taxpayers of billions for stadiums, and its [[Blacklisting Tim Tebow|exclusion of Tim Tebow]] apparently for quoting the [[Bible]] too much.<ref>The slogan "unplug the NFL" was created by ''Conservapedia'', with this entry.  Others are welcome to use this slogan, preferably with attribution.</ref>  Collusion among owners and coaches includes [[NFL sham tryouts]] and sham coaching interviews.<ref>https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/02/03/agent-lions-held-sham-interview-with-teryl-austin-before-hiring-matt-patricia/</ref>  '''''Many websites express dismay at how [[demonic]] the NFL really is'''''.

Spectator pro football is an inherently addictive -- and selfish -- activity that may increase dementia as excessive television watching generally does.<ref>https://nypost.com/2019/02/28/watching-3-5-hours-of-tv-a-day-increases-risk-of-dementia-study/</ref>  '''''Examples of addicted football fans developing dementia are commonplace'''''.  

Spectator pro football is an inherently addictive -- and selfish -- activity that may increase dementia as excessive television watching generally does.<ref>https://nypost.com/2019/02/28/watching-3-5-hours-of-tv-a-day-increases-risk-of-dementia-study/</ref>  '''''Examples of addicted football fans developing dementia are commonplace'''''.  

The [[NFL]] is one of the biggest promoters of the [[homosexual agenda]] and [[transgender agenda]], partly to appease [[liberal]] television networks.  The [[Dallas Cowboys]], although located in [[conservative]] [[Texas]], have promoted both agendas while receiving preferential televised coverage, as on [[Thanksgiving Day]].  The [[NFL]] promotes and profits from [[gambling]] [[addiction]], and yet tyrannically suspends players for silly reasons related to gambling.<ref>https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10073237-lions-jameson-williams-among-nfl-players-suspended-for-violating-gambling-policy?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial</ref>

The [[NFL]] is one of the biggest promoters of the [[homosexual agenda]] and [[transgender agenda]], partly to appease [[liberal]] television networks.  The [[Dallas Cowboys]], although located in [[conservative]] [[Texas]], has promoted both agendas while receiving preferential televised coverage, as on [[Thanksgiving Day]].  The [[NFL]] promotes and profits from [[gambling]] [[addiction]], and yet tyrannically suspends players for silly reasons related to gambling.<ref>https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10073237-lions-jameson-williams-among-nfl-players-suspended-for-violating-gambling-policy?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial</ref>

Players are cut from NFL squads based on what they say on [[social media]] rather than athletic merit, while the NFL bilks taxpayers for an estimated $1 billion annually.<ref>The NFL even got the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] to waste money on searching for a player's jersey in [[Mexico]] in 2017.</ref>  In 2022, the Democrat-arranged government subsidy of the Buffalo Bills, which is owned by a billionaire family, exceeded more than $1 billion.<ref>See [[Essay:Overpriced Sports Teams]], citing [https://readsludge.com/2022/06/25/hochuls-stadium-swindle/].</ref>  The NFL selfishly canceled a Grammy-award-winning singer from performing the [[National Anthem]] on opening day and refused to pay her fee,<ref>At its opening game on Sept. 9, 2021.</ref> because she had a religious exemption from the [[COVID vaccine]].  Why would [[Christian]]s support this selfish [[atheism]]?  The coveted younger demographic (18-49) is abandoning the NFL in droves.<ref>"Super Bowl 55 saw a decline in the 18 to 49 viewer demographic for the ninth year running. The 2021 Super Bowl lost another 37 percent of viewers in that age demo over last year’s audience." [https://www.breitbart.com/sports/2021/02/10/nfl-hemorrhaging-young-viewers-under-50-super-bowl-viewership-declines-ninth-straight-year/]</ref>  Propped up by taxpayer subsidies, the [[Washington Commanders]] was purchased for $6 billion by a [[private equity]]-funded group in 2023, in another obscene enrichment of owners.<ref>https://www.cbsnews.com/news/washington-commanders-sale-nfl-owners-approve-dan-snyder-josh-harris-6-billion/</ref>

Players are cut from NFL squads based on what they say on [[social media]] rather than athletic merit, while the NFL bilks taxpayers for an estimated $1 billion annually.<ref>The NFL even got the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] to waste money on searching for a player's jersey in [[Mexico]] in 2017.</ref>  In 2022, the Democrat-arranged government subsidy of the Buffalo Bills, which is owned by a billionaire family, exceeded $1 billion.<ref>See [[Essay:Overpriced Sports Teams]], citing [https://readsludge.com/2022/06/25/hochuls-stadium-swindle/].</ref>  The NFL selfishly canceled a Grammy-award-winning singer from performing the [[National Anthem]] on opening day and refused to pay her fee,<ref>At its opening game on Sept. 9, 2021.</ref> because she had a religious exemption from the [[COVID vaccine]].  Why would [[Christian]]s support this selfish [[atheism]]?  The coveted younger demographic (18-49) is abandoning the NFL in droves.<ref>"Super Bowl 55 saw a decline in the 18 to 49 viewer demographic for the ninth year running. The 2021 Super Bowl lost another 37 percent of viewers in that age demo over last year’s audience." [https://www.breitbart.com/sports/2021/02/10/nfl-hemorrhaging-young-viewers-under-50-super-bowl-viewership-declines-ninth-straight-year/]</ref>  Propped up by taxpayer subsidies, the [[Washington Commanders]] was purchased for $6 billion by a [[private equity]]-funded group in 2023, in another obscene enrichment of owners.<ref>https://www.cbsnews.com/news/washington-commanders-sale-nfl-owners-approve-dan-snyder-josh-harris-6-billion/</ref>

'''''[[Herschel Walker]], one of the [[Greatest Conservative Sports Stars|greatest athletes ever]], is excluded from the NFL Hall of Fame despite his tremendous career'''''.  The NFL excluded [[Tim Tebow]] too.  Top recruits out of college rarely realize their potential by playing in the NFL anymore, and top athletes rarely play on [[Super Bowl Sunday]].

'''''[[Herschel Walker]], one of the [[Greatest Conservative Sports Stars|greatest athletes ever]], is excluded from the NFL Hall of Fame despite his tremendous career'''''.  The NFL excluded [[Tim Tebow]] too.  Top recruits out of college rarely realize their potential by playing in the NFL anymore, and top athletes rarely play on [[Super Bowl Sunday]].

The NFL panders to the [[liberal media]] and encourages "[[fantasy football]]," a form of [[gambling]] and false worship.<ref>"From very early times gambling was forbidden by canon law. Two of the oldest among the so-called canons of the [[Apostles]] forbade games of chance under pain of [[excommunication]] to clergy and laity alike." See [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06375b.htm Catholic Encyclopedia], which continues to observe:  "The 79th canon of the Council of Elvira (306) decreed that one of the faithful who had been guilty of gambling might be, on amendment, restored to communion after the lapse of a year. A homily (the famous "De Aleatoribus") long ascribed by St. Cyprian, but by modern scholars variously attributed to Popes Victor I, Callistus I, and Melchiades, and which undoubtedly is a very early and interesting monument of Christian antiquity, is a vigorous denunciation of gambling. The Fourth Lateran Council (1215), by a decree subsequently inserted in the "Corpus Juris", forbade clerics to play or to be present at games of chance. Some authorities, such as Aubespine, have attempted to explain the severity of the ancient canons against gambling by supposing that idolatry was often connected with it in practice. The pieces that were played with were small-sized idols, or images of the gods, which were invoked by the players for good luck."</ref>  Genuine fans—as opposed to gamblers—are mostly irrelevant to the NFL profit model.<ref>[https://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/01/rams-chargers-raiders-move-to-los-angeles-london-nfl-owners-proposal When will fans realize that NFL owners don't care about them?]</ref>  Beginning in 2016, the NFL has allowed displays of defiance against the [[National Anthem]].   

The NFL panders to the [[liberal media]] and encourages "[[fantasy football]]," a form of [[gambling]] and false worship.<ref>"From very early times gambling was forbidden by canon law. Two of the oldest among the so-called canons of the [[Apostles]] forbade games of chance under pain of [[excommunication]] to clergy and laity alike." See [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06375b.htm Catholic Encyclopedia], which continues to observe:  "The 79th canon of the Council of Elvira (306) decreed that one of the faithful who had been guilty of gambling might be, on amendment, restored to communion after the lapse of a year. A homily (the famous "De Aleatoribus") long ascribed by St. Cyprian, but by modern scholars variously attributed to Popes Victor I, Callistus I, and Melchiades, and which undoubtedly is a very early and interesting monument of Christian antiquity, is a vigorous denunciation of gambling. The Fourth Lateran Council (1215), by a decree subsequently inserted in the "Corpus Juris", forbade clerics to play or to be present at games of chance. Some authorities, such as Aubespine, have attempted to explain the severity of the ancient canons against gambling by supposing that idolatry was often connected with it in practice. The pieces that were played with were small-sized idols, or images of the gods, which were invoked by the players for good luck."</ref>  Genuine fans—as opposed to gamblers—are mostly irrelevant to the NFL profit model.<ref>[https://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/01/rams-chargers-raiders-move-to-los-angeles-london-nfl-owners-proposal When will fans realize that NFL owners don't care about them?]</ref>  Beginning in 2016, the NFL has allowed displays of defiance against the [[National Anthem]].   

The Washington Redskins (now the [[politically correct]] "Commanders") cut one of the finest safeties in the [[NFL]] merely because he publicly criticized its awful coaching, and he pointed out that he probably watches more game films than the coaches do.<ref>https://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/12/fans-are-outraged-redskins-cut-d-j-swearinger-after-he-criticized-team</ref>  Fans were furious how coaches cut this star, but genuine fans are irrelevant to NFL profits.  This and other moves by the NFL show that is more like professional wrestling, where participants are expected to puff up the product, than a meritocracy.

The Washington Redskins (now the [[politically correct]] "Commanders") cut one of the finest safeties in the [[NFL]] merely because he publicly criticized its awful coaching, and he pointed out that he probably watches more game films than the coaches do.<ref>https://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/12/fans-are-outraged-redskins-cut-d-j-swearinger-after-he-criticized-team</ref>  Fans were furious about how coaches cut this star, but genuine fans are irrelevant to NFL profits.  This and other moves by the NFL show that it is more like professional wrestling, where participants are expected to puff up the product, than a meritocracy.

There is an average of only 11 minutes of football action in a typical 3-hour NFL broadcast.<ref name="WSJ">https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704281204575002852055561406</ref>  Commercials, usually for alcoholic beverages or gambling, consume a third of the broadcast.  Cheerleaders are rarely, if ever, shown in most NFL broadcasts anymore, while injured players are shown more than celebrating players.<ref name="WSJ"/>  Greedy NFL billionaire owners pay cheerleaders only the salary of a typical Chick-fil-A worker.<ref>https://www.aol.com/lifestyle/inside-shocking-salaries-dallas-cowboys-195700264.html</ref>

There is an average of only 11 minutes of football action in a typical 3-hour NFL broadcast.<ref name="WSJ">https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704281204575002852055561406</ref>  Commercials, usually for alcoholic beverages or gambling, consume a third of the broadcast.  Cheerleaders are rarely, if ever, shown in most NFL broadcasts anymore, while injured players are shown more than celebrating players.<ref name="WSJ"/>  Greedy NFL billionaire owners pay cheerleaders only the salary of a typical Chick-fil-A worker.<ref>https://www.aol.com/lifestyle/inside-shocking-salaries-dallas-cowboys-195700264.html</ref>

NFL-promoted "[[fantasy football]]" has grown from only 12 million participants a decade ago to an estimated 56 million, mostly men, today. In addition, the NFL advances the [[homosexual agenda]], such as with its halftime shows at the [[Super Bowl]].  Gambling on the Super Bowl topped $4.7 billion (not million) in 2018.<ref>https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2018/01/30/super-bowl-betting-total-to-top-4-7b-with-97-bet-illegally.html</ref>  [[Timothy McVeigh]] lost his life savings by [[gambling]] on his hometown Buffalo team in the 1993 [[Super Bowl]], and in his despair turned his obsession to the [[Branch Davidians|Branch Davidian]] standoff, according to ''Politico.com''.<ref>https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/09/02/how-football-fed-timothy-mcveighs-despair-219625</ref>

NFL-promoted "[[fantasy football]]" has grown from only 12 million participants a decade ago to an estimated 56 million, mostly men, today. In addition, the NFL advances the [[homosexual agenda]], such as with its halftime shows at the [[Super Bowl]].  Gambling on the Super Bowl topped $4.7 billion (not million) in 2018.<ref>https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2018/01/30/super-bowl-betting-total-to-top-4-7b-with-97-bet-illegally.html</ref>  [[Timothy McVeigh]] lost his life savings by [[gambling]] on his hometown Buffalo team in the 1993 [[Super Bowl]], and in his despair turned his obsession to the [[Branch Davidians|Branch Davidian]] standoff, according to ''Politico.com''.<ref>https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/09/02/how-football-fed-timothy-mcveighs-despair-219625</ref>

'''''If the NFL does not want [[Christians]] who quote the [[Bible]], then Christians should not want the NFL'''''.  There are many alternatives for sports fans, including the [[Olympics]], mixed martial arts, wrestling, boxing, golf, and, outside the [[U.S.]], [[soccer]], [[tennis]], [[rugby]], and cricket.  There is also the option of spending less time watching televised sports, and spending that time more productively instead such as reading or studying mathematics, science, literature, religion, foreign languages, and/or history.  One might also consider going to church on Sunday instead of sitting on the couch in front of the TV.

'''''If the NFL does not want [[Christians]] who quote the [[Bible]], then Christians should not want the NFL'''''.  There are many alternatives for sports fans, including the [[Olympics]], mixed martial arts, wrestling, boxing, golf, and, outside the [[U.S.]], [[soccer]], [[tennis]], [[rugby]], and cricket.  There is also the option of spending less time watching televised sports, and spending that time more productively instead, such as reading or studying mathematics, science, literature, religion, foreign languages, and/or history.  One might also consider going to church on Sunday instead of sitting on the couch in front of the TV.

Much of the appeal of the NFL is the illusion that it is merit-based, like the Olympics, and has the best players.  But the exclusion of Tim Tebow proves that the NFL is not really based on merit, but on [[political correctness]].

Much of the appeal of the NFL is the illusion that it is merit-based, like the Olympics, and has the best players.  But the exclusion of Tim Tebow proves that the NFL is not really based on merit, but on [[political correctness]].

There is also a growing concern that watching or supporting the NFL may be immoral, in light of a study revealing that 96% of deceased NFL players test positive for [[chronic traumatic encephalopathy]], or CTE.<ref>https://www.forbes.com/sites/dandiamond/2015/09/18/96-of-surveyed-nfl-players-test-positive-for-brain-disease/</ref>  Other studies suggest that the "average life expectancy of a retired NFL player is 55 years," and that "retired NFL players suffer from Alzheimer's at a 37 percent higher rate than average."<ref>http://www.cbc.ca/strombo/news/the-average-life-expectancy-of-an-nfl-player-is-55-years.html</ref>  Some have compared watching NFL games to what the Romans did in watching the brutal gladiator fights, which is widely recognized to have been immoral and harmful to the society.<ref>The NFL exaggerates its audience sometimes.  For example, the NFL exaggerated ratings for its internet streaming, initially claiming that "33.6 million" watched a worldwide live stream of a Bills-Jaguars game in late October 2015, and then downgrading that estimate to less than half, or 15.2 million, which is still probably an exaggeration. [http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/10/27/nfl-exaggerated-sundays-bills-jags-internet-numbers/]</ref>

There is also a growing concern that watching or supporting the NFL may be immoral, in light of a study revealing that 96% of deceased NFL players test positive for [[chronic traumatic encephalopathy]], or CTE.<ref>https://www.forbes.com/sites/dandiamond/2015/09/18/96-of-surveyed-nfl-players-test-positive-for-brain-disease/</ref>  Other studies suggest that the "average life expectancy of a retired NFL player is 55 years," and that "retired NFL players suffer from Alzheimer's at a 37 percent higher rate than average."<ref>http://www.cbc.ca/strombo/news/the-average-life-expectancy-of-an-nfl-player-is-55-years.html</ref>  Some have compared watching NFL games to what the Romans did in watching the brutal gladiator fights, which is widely recognized to have been immoral and harmful to society.<ref>The NFL exaggerates its audience sometimes.  For example, the NFL exaggerated ratings for its internet streaming, initially claiming that "33.6 million" watched a worldwide live stream of a Bills-Jaguars game in late October 2015, and then downgrading that estimate to less than half, or 15.2 million, which is still probably an exaggeration. [http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/10/27/nfl-exaggerated-sundays-bills-jags-internet-numbers/]</ref>

==Damage to Health==

==Damage to Health==

=== Harmful astroturf rather than grass ===

=== Harmful astroturf rather than grass ===

Players oppose the use of astroturf, and the [[World Cup]] bans it.  Yet greedy [[NFL]] owners install astroturf even in stadiums that replace the astroturf with grass for soccer games.  Players attribute devastating injuries to the astroturf, such as star QB [[Aaron Rodgers]]' season-ending injury on the fourth play of the first game in the 2023-24 season.<ref>https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10089309-nflpa-calls-for-elimination-of-artificial-turf-fields-to-avoid-unnecessary-injuries</ref>

Players oppose the use of astroturf, and the [[World Cup]] bans it.  Yet greedy [[NFL]] owners install astroturf even in stadiums that replace the astroturf with grass for soccer games.  Players attribute devastating injuries to the astroturf, such as star QB [[Aaron Rodgers]]'s season-ending injury on the fourth play of the first game in the 2023-24 season.<ref>https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10089309-nflpa-calls-for-elimination-of-artificial-turf-fields-to-avoid-unnecessary-injuries</ref>

=== Many Harms Inflicted on players ===

=== Many Harms Inflicted on players ===

Performance-enhancing substance abuse has been widespread for a long time in the NFL, as owners and the players' union engage in [[liberal denial]] about it while profiting from the more violent play.  Lyle Alzado, a much-promoted star in the 1970s and 1980s, died at the age of only 43 from a rare form of cancer that he attributed to his steroid use,<ref>http://espn.go.com/classic/biography/s/Alzado_Lyle.html</ref> Alzado said he began taking anabolic steroids in 1969 (at the age of 20) and took them throughout his football career.<ref>http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1992-05-15/sports/1992136109_1_lyle-alzado-steroids-brain-cancer</ref>

Performance-enhancing substance abuse has been widespread for a long time in the NFL, as owners and the players' union engage in [[liberal denial]] about it while profiting from the more violent play.  Lyle Alzado, a much-promoted star in the 1970s and 1980s, died at the age of only 43 from a rare form of cancer that he attributed to his steroid use,<ref>http://espn.go.com/classic/biography/s/Alzado_Lyle.html</ref> Alzado said he began taking anabolic steroids in 1969 (at the age of 20) and took them throughout his football career.<ref>http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1992-05-15/sports/1992136109_1_lyle-alzado-steroids-brain-cancer</ref>

At least one expert has opined that the problem is never going away.<ref>http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/nfl-performance-enhancing-drug-testing-will-get-tougher-ped-testing-tougher-alex-marvez-062515</ref>

At least one expert has opined that the problem is never going away.<ref>http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/nfl-performance-enhancing-drug-testing-will-get-tougher-ped-testing-tougher-alex-marvez-062515</ref>The NFL banned substances policy has drawn criticism,<ref name="CBS">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/27/national/main691147_page3.shtml  |work=CBS News |title=NFL Steroid Policy 'Not Perfect' |date=2005-04-27}}</ref> but the policy is one of the longest running in professional sports, beginning in 1987.<ref name="Apr28">{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21734-2005Apr28.html  |newspaper=The Washington Post |title=NFL's Steroid Policy Gets Kudos on Capitol Hill |first1=Mark |last1=Maske |first2=Leonard |last2=Shapiro |date=2005-04-28 |accessdate=2017-01-05}}</ref> Since the NFL started random, year-round tests and suspending players for banned substances, many more players have been found to be in violation of the policy. By April 2005, 111 NFL players had tested positive for banned substances, and of those 111, the NFL suspended 54.<ref name="CBS" /> The NFL testing for substance abuse is notoriously inadequate, as illustrated by the case of the convicted first-degree murderer, then-NFL star Aaron Hernandez.<ref>http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/05/aaron-hernandez-knew-that-beating-nfl-drug-tests-is-easy/</ref>

 

The NFL banned substances policy has drawn criticism,<ref name="CBS">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/27/national/main691147_page3.shtml  |work=CBS News |title=NFL Steroid Policy 'Not Perfect' |date=2005-04-27}}</ref> but the policy is one of the longest running in professional sports, beginning in 1987.<ref name="Apr28">{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21734-2005Apr28.html  |newspaper=The Washington Post |title=NFL's Steroid Policy Gets Kudos on Capitol Hill |first1=Mark |last1=Maske |first2=Leonard |last2=Shapiro |date=2005-04-28 |accessdate=2017-01-05}}</ref> Since the NFL started random, year-round tests and suspending players for banned substances, many more players have been found to be in violation of the policy. By April 2005, 111 NFL players had tested positive for banned substances, and of those 111, the NFL suspended 54.<ref name="CBS" /> The NFL testing for substance abuse is notoriously inadequate, as illustrated by the case of the convicted first-degree murderer, then-NFL star Aaron Hernandez.<ref>http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/05/aaron-hernandez-knew-that-beating-nfl-drug-tests-is-easy/</ref>

Unlike Olympic sports and the [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]], the NFL administers its substance abuse program independently of the [[United States Anti-Doping Agency]] (USADA).  So, the quality and rigor of the NFL's drug testing is not independently controlled.  However, since December 2009, USADA has a "Supplement Safety Now" program, in partnership with the NFL, [[Major League Baseball]], the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA), the [[National Hockey League]], the U.S. Olympic Committee and other national sports and health organizations. The program seeks to end dangerous and unscrupulous practices of "rogue" manufacturers within the nutritional supplement industry. The effort works to eliminate the practice of selling supplement products containing [[steroid]]s and other drugs that are labeled as "safe and legal" dietary supplements.

Unlike Olympic sports and the [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]], the NFL administers its substance abuse program independently of the [[United States Anti-Doping Agency]] (USADA).  So, the quality and rigor of the NFL's drug testing is not independently controlled.  However, since December 2009, USADA has a "Supplement Safety Now" program, in partnership with the NFL, [[Major League Baseball]], the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA), the [[National Hockey League]], the U.S. Olympic Committee and other national sports and health organizations. The program seeks to end dangerous and unscrupulous practices of "rogue" manufacturers within the nutritional supplement industry. The effort works to eliminate the practice of selling supplement products containing [[steroid]]s and other drugs that are labeled as "safe and legal" dietary supplements.

*Fewer traffic jams<ref>http://sandiegofreepress.org/2015/02/five-reasons-losing-an-nfl-football-team-is-good-for-a-city/</ref>

*Fewer traffic jams<ref>http://sandiegofreepress.org/2015/02/five-reasons-losing-an-nfl-football-team-is-good-for-a-city/</ref>

On December 17, 2015, the [[NFL]] demanded that the State of Missouri reduce the obligation by the NFL for a new $1.1 billion stadium in [[St. Louis]] to less than 20% of the cost, with taxpayers of the struggling city then bearing the bulk of the enormous cost.  St. Louis refused, and ultimately the Rams relocated (back) to Los Angeles, from which they initially came.<ref>The city later sued the NFL seeking economic damages; the parties settled out of court with the league having to pay millions to the city.</ref>  Similarly, in April 2024 the citizens of Jackson County, Missouri, refused to extend a 3/8th cent sales tax to renovate the stadium for the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] (the measure would also have built a new stadium for [[MLB]]'s [[Kansas City Royals]]; notably, the measure was opposed by County Executive Frank White, a former Royals player and inductee into the team's Hall of Fame).

On December 17, 2015, the [[NFL]] demanded that the State of Missouri reduce the obligation by the NFL for a new $1.1 billion stadium in [[St. Louis]] to less than 20% of the cost, with taxpayers of the struggling city then bearing the bulk of the enormous cost.  St. Louis refused, and ultimately the Rams relocated (back) to Los Angeles, from which they initially came.<ref>The city later sued the NFL seeking economic damages; the parties settled out of court with the league having to pay millions to the city.</ref>  Similarly, in April 2024 the citizens of Jackson County, Missouri, refused to extend a 3/8-cent sales tax to renovate the stadium for the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] (the measure would also have built a new stadium for [[MLB]]'s [[Kansas City Royals]]; notably, the measure was opposed by County Executive Frank White, a former Royals player and inductee into the team's Hall of Fame).

== Poor economic impact of Super Bowl ==

== Poor economic impact of Super Bowl ==

{{cquote|Typically, according to Baade’s research (PDF) and supported by related studies, Super Bowl host cities see a negative rate of return. 'If you do a pure economic evaluation, we may be able to cover the explicit costs…but we can’t make the argument that accommodating the Super Bowl is actually better than anything else.'}}

{{cquote|Typically, according to Baade’s research (PDF) and supported by related studies, Super Bowl host cities see a negative rate of return. 'If you do a pure economic evaluation, we may be able to cover the explicit costs…but we can’t make the argument that accommodating the Super Bowl is actually better than anything else.'}}

At best, only a handful of warm-weather cities that are tourist destinations in and of themselves possibly benefit from hosting a Super Bowl.  An example of a city that has done so successfully is [[New Orleans]], which has a large indoor stadium (the Mercedes-Benz Superdome) that has hosted numerous large-scale events, including six of the seven prior Super Bowls held in the city.  Yet the NFL decided '''''not''''' to award Super Bowl LII in 2018 to New Orleans—which was celebrating its tri-centennial that year, and was clearly able to host both it and the Super Bowl—and instead awarded it to cold-weather Minneapolis-St. Paul as they were able to connive taxpayers into building a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings franchise.<ref>The stadium itself is now controversial: the glass lacks reflective coatings which prevent migratory birds from flying into it, and is now heavily criticized by conservationist organizations.</ref>

At best, only a handful of warm-weather cities that are tourist destinations in and of themselves possibly benefit from hosting a Super Bowl.  An example of a city that has done so successfully is [[New Orleans]], which has a large indoor stadium (the Mercedes-Benz Superdome) that has hosted numerous large-scale events, including six of the seven prior Super Bowls held in the city.  Yet the NFL decided '''''not''''' to award Super Bowl LII in 2018 to New Orleans—which was celebrating its tri-centennial that year, and was clearly able to host both it and the Super Bowl—and instead awarded it to cold-weather Minneapolis-St. Paul as they were able to convince taxpayers into building a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings franchise.<ref>The stadium itself is now controversial: the glass lacks reflective coatings which prevent migratory birds from flying into it, and is now heavily criticized by conservationist organizations.</ref>

The 2018 Super Bowl showed an attendance anomaly—attendance was reported at 70,081, nearly 3,000 '''''fewer''''' fans than attended the MLS Cup (Major League Soccer final) in the same stadium two months prior, notwithstanding that 1) the Super Bowl was played in Atlanta, home to the world's busiest airport (thus, travel to and from the game would not have been an issue), 2) the Super Bowl featured two large-market teams—the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots, and 3) the general lack of interest in soccer among American fans, especially in the American South where football is widely popular.<ref>https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/super-bowl-fails-to-draw-more-fans-than-mls-cup-final-at-same-stadium?fbclid=IwAR3D0_K6N4RiP649kmiqpQhcmZKu9ajxlf7URdDNQxkoxobW9fuIvGjBjOY</ref><ref>It should be noted that the MLS Cup featured a local franchise, Atlanta United FC, in the final.</ref>  The 2019 Super Bowl was even worse: the reported attendance was the '''''second-lowest''''' ever, behind only the first Super Bowl (which at that time was called the "NFL-AFL Championship Game") and notwithstanding its playing in South Florida, a popular tourist destination due to warm climate.<ref>However, it was a sellout as the venue -- Hard Rock Stadium -- was recently renovated to '''''lower''''' overall seating capacity.</ref>

The 2018 Super Bowl showed an attendance anomaly—attendance was reported at 70,081, nearly 3,000 '''''fewer''''' fans than attended the MLS Cup (Major League Soccer final) in the same stadium two months prior, notwithstanding that 1) the Super Bowl was played in Atlanta, home to the world's busiest airport (thus, travel to and from the game would not have been an issue), 2) the Super Bowl featured two large-market teams—the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots, and 3) the general lack of interest in soccer among American fans, especially in the American South where football is widely popular.<ref>https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/super-bowl-fails-to-draw-more-fans-than-mls-cup-final-at-same-stadium?fbclid=IwAR3D0_K6N4RiP649kmiqpQhcmZKu9ajxlf7URdDNQxkoxobW9fuIvGjBjOY</ref><ref>It should be noted that the MLS Cup featured a local franchise, Atlanta United FC, in the final.</ref>  The 2019 Super Bowl was even worse: the reported attendance was the '''''second-lowest''''' ever, behind only the first Super Bowl (which at that time was called the "NFL-AFL Championship Game") and notwithstanding being played in South Florida, a popular tourist destination due to warm climate.<ref>However, it was a sellout as the venue -- Hard Rock Stadium -- was recently renovated to '''''lower''''' overall seating capacity.</ref>

== Super Bowl politics ==

== Super Bowl politics ==

== Objectionable Super Bowl shows ==

== Objectionable Super Bowl shows ==

In 2017, [[Lady Gaga]] sang for the Super Bowl halftime show. Lady Gaga is also known for her political activism, particularly with Hilliary Clinton, [[immigration]], HIV/AIDS, and homosexual "rights".

In 2017, [[Lady Gaga]] sang for the Super Bowl halftime show. Lady Gaga is also known for her political activism, particularly with Hillary Clinton, [[immigration]], HIV/AIDS, and homosexual "rights".

In 2015, the Super Bowl halftime show featured in nearly every performance the pro-[[homosexual]] activist Katy Perry.  She became popular among liberals for her pro-lesbian song in 2008, and is an outspoken supporter of homosexual "rights".

In 2015, the Super Bowl halftime show featured in nearly every performance the pro-[[homosexual]] activist Katy Perry.  She became popular among liberals for her pro-lesbian song in 2008, and is an outspoken supporter of homosexual "rights".

== Gambling ==

== Gambling ==

The Super Bowl halftime show features bizarre symbolism that has been associated with the occult and/or [[gambling]].  Beginning in 2012, the NFL began allowing casino advertisements at stadiums during games<ref>http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/04/12/nfl-lifts-ban-on-casino-ads-for-two-years/</ref>; since then online sports betting sites regularly advertise during NFL games (which then caused the NFL to add more advertisements warning about problem gambling), and one stadium has awarded naming rights to an online betting site (the Superdome in [[New Orleans]], which was then named '''Caesar's Superdome''').

The Super Bowl halftime show features bizarre symbolism that has been associated with the occult and/or [[gambling]].  Beginning in 2012, the NFL began allowing casino advertisements at stadiums during games<ref>http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/04/12/nfl-lifts-ban-on-casino-ads-for-two-years/</ref>; Since then, online sports betting sites have regularly advertised during NFL games (which then caused the NFL to add more advertisements warning about problem gambling), and one stadium has awarded naming rights to an online betting site (the Superdome in [[New Orleans]], which was then named '''Caesar's Superdome'').

The NFL allows ESPN to publicize point-spreads that encourage gambling, while the NFL publicly pretends to oppose betting on its games.  The Super Bowl is the basis of more gambling than any other event, and the NFL profits from that through increased viewership.

The NFL allows ESPN to publicize point-spreads that encourage gambling, while the NFL publicly pretends to oppose betting on its games.  The Super Bowl is the basis of more gambling than any other event, and the NFL profits from that through increased viewership.

=== Christian position ===

=== Christian position ===

The Catechism of the Catholic Church does not address whether gambling violates the First Commandment against idolatry (gamblers worship uncertainty and fall prey to superstition).<ref>http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c1a1.htm</ref> The Catholic Church has stated that gambling becomes morally unacceptable when they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others. The passion for gambling then risks becoming an enslavement.<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c2a7.htm Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2413]</ref>  The early church excommunicated people for gambling, and theologians today generally consider gambling to be morally licit under certain conditions.<ref>http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06375b.htm</ref>  (It should be noted, though, that [[New Orleans]], located in heavily-Catholic south Louisiana, reached a naming rights agreement with Caesar's Sportsbook to rename the New Orleans Saints home stadium "Caesar's Superdome".)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church does not address whether gambling violates the First Commandment against idolatry (gamblers worship uncertainty and fall prey to superstition).<ref>http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c1a1.htm</ref> The Catholic Church has stated that gambling becomes morally unacceptable when it deprives someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others. The passion for gambling then risks becoming an enslavement.<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c2a7.htm Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2413]</ref>  The early church excommunicated people for gambling, and theologians today generally consider gambling to be morally licit under certain conditions.<ref>http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06375b.htm</ref>  (It should be noted, though, that [[New Orleans]], located in heavily-Catholic south Louisiana, reached a naming rights agreement with Caesar's Sportsbook to rename the New Orleans Saints home stadium "Caesar's Superdome".)

Among Protestants, fundamentalists are the most stringent opponents of gambling, believing it to be wrong in all cases.  Evangelicals and Pentecostals/charismatics have generally opposed it as well, though not as stringently as fundamentalists.  Mainline Protestants—consistent with their generally liberal theology—generally have only provided opposition from a secular standpoint (such as quoting studies showing its ill effects on society).

Among Protestants, fundamentalists are the most stringent opponents of gambling, believing it to be wrong in all cases.  Evangelicals and Pentecostals/charismatics have generally opposed it as well, though not as stringently as fundamentalists.  Mainline Protestants—consistent with their generally liberal theology—generally have only provided opposition from a secular standpoint (such as quoting studies showing its ill effects on society).

== Exclusion of Tim Tebow ==

== Exclusion of Tim Tebow ==Numerous experts have proven that [[Tim Tebow]] is fully qualified to play in the NFL.  The widely followed ''Bleacher Report'' declared, after reviewing Tebow's record and strong preseason in 2015, that he "belongs in the NFL."<ref>https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2560964-after-solid-preseason-tim-tebow-finally-looks-like-he-belongs-in-the-nfl</ref>  CBS in Philadelphia reported on September 4, 2015, that there was an open spot on the roster for Tebow, after a weaker player was traded to another team.<ref>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2015/09/04/report-cardinals-working-on-trade-for-matt-barkley/</ref>  Bleacher Report wrote that "it seemed as though Tebow would make the team. He certainly made a strong case for himself in the Eagles' preseason finale ...."<ref name="Bleacher Rpt">https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2436196-tim-tebow-released-by-eagles-latest-details-comments-and-reaction</ref>  Yet Tebow was inexplicably cut by the Eagles, despite how the Eagles left themselves with only two quarterbacks on the roster, one of whom is injury-prone.   

Numerous experts have proven that [[Tim Tebow]] is fully qualified to play in the NFL.  The widely followed ''Bleacher Report'' declared, after reviewing Tebow's record and strong preseason in 2015, that he "belongs in the NFL."<ref>https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2560964-after-solid-preseason-tim-tebow-finally-looks-like-he-belongs-in-the-nfl</ref>  CBS in Philadelphia reported on September 4, 2015, that there was an open spot on the roster for Tebow, after a weaker player was traded to another team.<ref>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2015/09/04/report-cardinals-working-on-trade-for-matt-barkley/</ref>  Bleacher Report wrote that "it seemed as though Tebow would make the team. He certainly made a strong case for himself in the Eagles' preseason finale ...."<ref name="Bleacher Rpt">https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2436196-tim-tebow-released-by-eagles-latest-details-comments-and-reaction</ref>  Yet Tebow was inexplicably cut by the Eagles, despite how the Eagles left themselves with only two quarterbacks on the roster, one of which is injury-prone.   

'''''The Eagles then replaced the more-qualified Tebow on the roster with an undrafted QB named Stephen Morris, who had never played a single regular season NFL game, and who threw 30 interceptions in college'''''.  One sports analyst wrote about the Eagles' coach in making this decision:  "what he sees in Morris -- that nobody else does -- is perplexing.  An executive in personnel for another NFC team was texted, 'Tell me what you know about Stephen Morris.' His response was two words: 'He's bad.'"<ref>http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2015/09/what_you_need_to_know_about_eagles_qb_stephen_morr.html</ref>

'''''The Eagles then replaced the more-qualified Tebow on the roster with an undrafted QB named Stephen Morris, who had never played a single regular season NFL game, and who threw 30 interceptions in college'''''.  One sports analyst wrote about the Eagles' coach in making this decision:  "what he sees in Morris -- that nobody else does -- is perplexing.  An executive in personnel for another NFC team was texted, 'Tell me what you know about Stephen Morris.' His response was two words: 'He's bad.'"<ref>http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2015/09/what_you_need_to_know_about_eagles_qb_stephen_morr.html</ref>

==National Anthem Protests==

==National Anthem Protests==

The following teams have one or more players on their roster who have protested the national anthem: Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, Washington Redskins, New York Giants, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers,<ref>http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17520290/kansas-city-chiefs-seattle-seahawks-interlock-arms-national-anthem</ref> Denver Broncos,<ref>https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/brandon-marshall-denver-broncos-kneel-national-anthem_us_57d2b5cde4b06a74c9f41fd8</ref> Philadelphia Eagles,<ref>http://dailydolphin.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2017/08/24/philadelphia-eagles-protest-during-national-anthem-before-dolphins-game/</ref> Los Angeles Rams,<ref>https://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/nfl-kneeling-protests-grow/2016/09/18/id/748879/</ref> and the Oakland Raiders.<ref>http://therightscoop.com/at-raiders-preseason-opener-marshawn-lynch-sits-during-national-anthem/</ref>  The NFL players national anthem protests are governed by individual player contracts and collective bargaining agreements between the NFL and the NFLPA (National Football League Players Association).<ref>https://www.natlawreview.com/article/can-nfl-players-be-fired-disciplined-protesting-during-national-anthem</ref>

The following teams have one or more players on their roster who have protested the national anthem: Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, Washington Redskins, New York Giants, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers,<ref>http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17520290/kansas-city-chiefs-seattle-seahawks-interlock-arms-national-anthem</ref> Denver Broncos,<ref>https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/brandon-marshall-denver-broncos-kneel-national-anthem_us_57d2b5cde4b06a74c9f41fd8</ref> Philadelphia Eagles,<ref>http://dailydolphin.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2017/08/24/philadelphia-eagles-protest-during-national-anthem-before-dolphins-game/</ref> Los Angeles Rams,<ref>https://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/nfl-kneeling-protests-grow/2016/09/18/id/748879/</ref> and the Oakland Raiders.<ref>http://therightscoop.com/at-raiders-preseason-opener-marshawn-lynch-sits-during-national-anthem/</ref>  The NFL players' national anthem protests are governed by individual player contracts and collective bargaining agreements between the NFL and the NFLPA (National Football League Players Association).<ref>https://www.natlawreview.com/article/can-nfl-players-be-fired-disciplined-protesting-during-national-anthem</ref>

==NFL Fan Sites==

==NFL Fan Sites==

*Ford <ref>https://seekingalpha.com/article/4103103-football-season-kicking-sponsors-spend-big</ref>

*Ford <ref>https://seekingalpha.com/article/4103103-football-season-kicking-sponsors-spend-big</ref>

== Brett Favre denouncement ==

== Brett Favre denouncement ==NFL legend Brett Favre denounced the league, as well as many other professional and collegiate sports leagues, for the conscious decision by their leadership to embrace politics and become "[[woke]]", stating that sports fans do not want to see sports mixed with politics and that some fans have begun losing interest in sports because of the infusion of politics.<ref>[https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2021/04/nfl-star-brett-favre-blasts-woke-sports-says-fans-dont-want-politics-games/ NFL Star Brett Favre Blasts ‘Woke’ Sports, Says Fans Don’t Want Politics In Their Games] at the Gateway Pundit</ref> Favre, a supporter of President [[Donald Trump]], added that prior to the politicization of sports by the Left (with the intent of bringing division into it), sports used to be a unifier for all Americans, and he emphasized that it should remain a unifier.

NFL legend Brett Favre denounced the league, as well as many other professional and collegiate sports leagues, for the conscious decision of their leadership to embrace politics and become "[[woke]]", stating that sports fans do not want to see sports mixed with politics and that some fans have begun losing interest in sports because of the infusion of politics.<ref>[https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2021/04/nfl-star-brett-favre-blasts-woke-sports-says-fans-dont-want-politics-games/ NFL Star Brett Favre Blasts ‘Woke’ Sports, Says Fans Don’t Want Politics In Their Games] at the Gateway Pundit</ref> Favre, a supporter of President [[Donald Trump]], added that prior to the politicization of sports by the Left (with the intent of bringing division into it), sports used to be a uniter for all Americans, then emphasized that it should remain as a uniter.

== See also ==

== See also ==