Originally posted by DENNIS
I can't help believe that the reaction has everything to do with the nature of the game itself. Who would not admit that Hockey is a blood sport,
dependent on personal, violent combat for fan approval?!! Who would deny that if the glass barrier, as well as heavy law enforcement were not in
place, the mayhem would take place in the arena as well as in the streets?!!
Destructive social behavior is much more deep-seated than in the game itself, but the game encourages that behavior.....so that's what you get.
When these activities start taking place at Wimbeldon, you'll know Western Civilization is in peril.
Not so much when a result of an Ultimate Fighting event.
Before I defend hockey--which I will--let me make the analogy that people who do not follow the sport and simply see the fights on the news and then
judge are a bit similar to those who see the DRUG VIOLENCE IN MEXICO warnings and paint a broad stroke on Mexico and those of us who love it. (this is
not meant for Dennis who obviously KNOWS his Baja)....... Which is not to side step the problems of each but so much is overblown.
Having followed hockey for over 40 years and having played it for 20 I know there is soooo much more to it than violence... but there really is no way
to convey this unless you see it personally and avoid the hype. There is no huge police presence at hockey games..maybe a couple of cops and the usual
security. The players are the sanest, least drugged out, and for the most part well behaved of any major sport.
Violence? Virtually any single down in football has as much violence as any entire game of hockey. Players careers are often ended by cheap shots and
vicious illegal hits. If you want violence try a pitcher throwing 100 mph at a guy's head...bench clearing brawls are a thing of the past in hockey
but still common in baseball (serious beatings by fans? hockey? no, baseball). Soccer I would not assume is a blood sport but there is probably more
historical violence surrounding it and its fans than any other. And the single most brutal punch in all of professional sports history was by Kermit
Washington...in basketball (and to add some humor I cannot write that without thinking back to Garret Morris and Saturday Night Live!).
The fights are overrated. Very very very rarely does anyone get hurt and for an enclosed VERY fast, hard hitting sport it relieves some
tension....that will of course be hotly debated and I understand the arguments against it but fights are becoming more and more rare. Just TRY to get
off a good punch while on skates and exhausted and wearing all that gear... We all have our preferences but I'd rather watch a hockey fight with
little chance of injury as opposed to a Wimbledon contestant cuss, throw their racket, hit balls at crying babies, or snap at the ball boys/girls.
Let me buy you a Pacifico Dennis at the Palomar "sports bar and grill" in Santo Tomas and we'll watch a game next season!
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went on a rampage and made the news...not really a riot....some broken windows, barfights, bonfires for roasting marshmallows... 
