Behind The Legion Of Boom – A Fraternity, A Family

This weekend’s injury to Seattle Seahawk Ricardo Lockette was a sobering reminder of the punishing environment of the NFL. As spectators, we view it through a lens of entertainment and the friendly competition expressed through Fantasy Football leagues.  But the NFL is filled with fathers, brothers, sons, and is actually a fraternity—even if it’s not necessarily one where the members choose incoming members during “Rush Week.”

I was particularly struck by Pete Carroll’s remarks in the post-game conference. He observed that when Lockette was injured, he was immediately surrounded by his teammates and there was an “outpouring of love” that surrounded him.  It’s such a Pete Carroll thing to say, and you know it is absolutely 100% true. Week in and week out, these guys put themselves on the line the moment they step on the field, and they do it as an unconditional compact—team before self.

Interestingly, the NFL chooses self before teams, to shine lights on issues that are somewhat tangential but attempt to make us feel better about watching. In particular, the “pinkificiation” of the NFL is one that has always rankled me—if you aren’t aware of breast cancer by now, pink socks and towels aren’t going to get you there.  And while the NFL is using its position and visibility to address other vitally important causes, in particular, domestic violence, the violent hits and head injury rate in the NFL suggest that there are other battles that need to be fought off-field and for which awareness needs to be raised. Perhaps the League would feel it hypocritical to be advocating for more research into concussions and repercussions of head injuries while sending these men out onto the field for 16+ weeks per year. But the fact is, research funding for traumatic brain injury research pales in comparison to the resources devoted to breast cancer. Even if the NFL gave 1% of its $10B revenue to head injury research, that $10 million investment could catalyze and support much-needed insights in neuroscience and cognitive impairment.

Regardless of the cause marketing that happens on and off the field, the injury that happened to Ricardo Lockette was severe, harrowing to watch, and emblematic of the moral conflict that accompanies our “violentertainment.” When Lockette flashed the “L” from the stretcher as a Legion of Boom signal, the entire stadium and all of Seahawks Nation exhaled with relief.  Indeed, the masses took to Twitter (where else?) to send healing energies and wishes to Lockette. My favorite tweet was from @anthonyladao providing the awesome alternate translation of #LOB as #LoveOurBrothers.  This fraternity, this family, will no doubt help Lockette endure the long recovery ahead.