Is Professional Hockey, NHL, a Blood Sport Like NFL Football?

When discussing professional sports, the term blood sport often comes up, especially in relation to football and hockey. However, what exactly constitutes a blood sport, and how do the physicalities of professional hockey (NHL) and football (NFL) compare? In this article, we explore the nature of these sports and whether they qualify as blood sports.

Physicality in Sports

Both football and hockey are known for their aggressive physical nature, making them closely scrutinized sports when it comes to player safety. The term physicality is used to describe the high-impact plays, fights, and body checks that are both a defining feature and a potential safety hazard in these games.

NHL Hockey Physicality

Hockey fans often marvel at the physicality of the game, from body checks to on-ice fights. Despite these intense moments, fighting and body checks are regulated and well-documented parts of the game. The league has implemented strict rules and protocols to ensure player safety and minimize injuries.

NFL Football Physicality

In contrast, American football stands out for its high-impact collisions and tackles, leading to a greater incidence of serious injuries, including concussions. The NFL has faced significant scrutiny over how it handles head injuries and the long-term health consequences for players, such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Cultural Perception

The cultural perception of these sports is another critical factor. Fans of both hockey and football often see the physical aspects of the game as essential to the sport's excitement and spirit. However, there is also growing concern among the public about the safety of these athletes.

Cultural Perception in NHL Hockey

Many hockey fans embrace the sport's physicality as an integral part of the game. Nevertheless, there are those who express concern about the safety of the players, particularly during playoff games, where the intensity often escalates.

Cultural Perception in NFL Football

The violent nature of football is frequently highlighted in discussions about player safety. There are ongoing debates about the risks associated with the sport and efforts to improve player protection.

Is Either Sport a Blood Sport?

In my opinion, neither NFL football nor NHL hockey qualifies as a blood sport. The primary goal of both sports is to outscore the opponent through skill and strategy, and not through damaging the opponent. Fighting and brawls may occur, but they are not the standard play to achieve the goal.

Difference Between Blood Sports and NHL/Hockey

A blood sport, such as UFC or MMA, involves direct combat with the intent to harm or blood. In contrast, in football and hockey, the intent is to play the game and win it rather than to cause serious injury. The term blood sport is more accurately applied to ancient and modern combat sports that involve the direct intent to wound or kill.

Specific Rules and Penalties in NHL Hockey

To further illustrate the subtleties of NHL hockey's physicality, consider the following example:

Rule Application in NHL

The NHL has a specific rule that adds a 2-minute penalty for drawing blood if the infraction involves a sticking violation. However, this rule does not apply in all scenarios:

Punching someone in the face: No extra penalty for drawing blood. High stick to the face: Extra penalty for drawing blood. Removing a guy's teeth without drawing blood: No extra penalty (though it's possible). Illegal bodycheck to the head: No extra penalty for drawing blood, but a 5-minute major penalty, a game misconduct, and a 2-game suspension in the playoffs.

These examples highlight the nuanced approach the NHL takes to ensure player safety while still allowing for the physicality that fans enjoy.

Conclusion

While both sports involve intense physical contact and can result in serious injuries, they do not meet the criteria for being classified as blood sports.

NHL hockey and NFL football are both competitive team sports where the primary goal is to outscore the opponent through skill and strategy, not to cause harm. The high impact and physical nature of the games are regulated to ensure the safety of players, but they do not align with the definition of a blood sport.