LA Times Article on Wrestling Issues

Childs Walker of the Los Angeles Times presents an interesting perspective on the Benoit tragedy and sports as entertainment. In his article he discusses how as a society we root on athletes in all sports to push themselves beyond normal limits to entertain us. He argues that this may be part of the reason we see unfortunate and untimely deaths and serious injuries in various sports.

An excerpt from latimes.com:

"We do know that wrestlers subject their bodies to immense risks as they live out of hotel rooms hundreds of days a year. We know that countless stars have been unable to maintain stable families or resist the lures of pain-pill addiction. We know that the WWE often gives the greatest rewards to those who build their bodies to the most cartoonish proportions. We sense that these are sorts of things that could make someone unhinged.

Some people dismiss wrestling all too easily because of its carnival roots and ridiculous plots. But really, what's so rational about dressing up in colored armor and beating your fellow man as half-naked women cheer you on at the coliseum? I've just described the nation's most popular sport, professional football."

Click here to read the full article at latimes.com.