this post was submitted on 04 Dec 2025
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submitted 21 hours ago* (last edited 21 hours ago) by NightOwl@lemmy.ca to c/canada@lemmy.ca
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[–] stickly@lemmy.world 39 points 19 hours ago (7 children)

I have a groundbreaking theory about prolonged playing of contact sports, traumatic brain injury, and far right politics... You generally don't hear these headlines about tennis/soccer players, or nearly as often about basketball/baseball players.

As someone who enjoys American football and hockey, it's a damn shame that we still paint athletes as role models.

[–] Glide@lemmy.ca 11 points 11 hours ago (2 children)

I know it's funny to insinuate that brain damage caused people to become conservatives, but I think we should accept that the culture around aggressive, full-contact sports tends to be conservative to start with. Surround yourself with that culture day-in, day-out, and before long you find yourself ingrained in more than just their favorite sports.

But I mean, that doesn't mean it's not the brain damage. A thing can be more than one thing.

[–] Lemmyoutofhere@lemmy.ca 6 points 10 hours ago

Just look at Fetterman. Had a stroke, and he’s now conservative.

[–] stickly@lemmy.world 4 points 10 hours ago

That's true, it's a combination of factors. A big part is the insular nature of the team and coaching as you go higher up the ladder. If you're not thanking God in your post-win interview you're a "locker room problem"; if you want a coaching job after you retire you've gotta be on good terms with the good ol' boys network.

I do think that the brain damage does compound heavily though. I know Mormons who get out and become well adjusted people later in life; the semi-pro football players I know get more irrational and violent as the CTE sets in.

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