Are Boxing And Mma (and American Football) Immoral?

[Credo in Deum]

I guess I'm still confused as to why someone would think these sport are immoral.  Is it because they pose a risk of serious injuries/brain damage?  If so then according to the AANS (American Association of Neurological Surgeons) there are a host of other sporting activities we should stay away from.

 

 

Sports-Related Head Injury

 

Updated December 2011

The following 20 sports/recreational activities represent the categories contributing to the highest number of estimated head injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms in 2009.

 

Cycling: 85,389
Football: 46,948
Baseball and Softball: 38,394
Basketball: 34,692
Water Sports (Diving, Scuba Diving, Surfing, Swimming, Water Polo, Water Skiing, Water Tubing): 28,716
Powered Recreational Vehicles (ATVs, Dune Buggies, Go-Carts, Mini bikes, Off-road): 26,606
Soccer: 24,184
Skateboards/Scooters: 23,114
Fitness/Exercise/Health Club: 18,012
Winter Sports (Skiing, Sledding, Snowboarding, Snowmobiling): 16,948
Horseback Riding: 14,466
Gymnastics/Dance/Cheerleading: 10,223
Golf: 10,035
Hockey: 8,145
Other Ball Sports and Balls, Unspecified: 6,883
Trampolines: 5,919
Rugby/Lacrosse: 5,794
Roller and Inline Skating: 3,320
Ice Skating: 4,608

The top 10 sports-related head-injury categories among children ages 14 and younger:

Cycling: 40,272
Football: 21,878
Baseball and Softball: 18,246
Basketball: 14,952
Skateboards/Scooters: 14,783
Water Sports: 12,843
Soccer: 8,392
Powered Recreational Vehicles: 6,818
Winter Sports: 6,750
Trampolines: 5,025

http://www.aans.org/Patient%20Information/Conditions%20and%20Treatments/Sports-Related%20Head%20Injury.aspx

 

Are all of these other sports now immoral?  If yes. Why?  If not.  Why not?

[blazeingstar]

 

Actually, in the old days of football, before helmets or other protective equipment, deaths were fairly common, and because of this, there was actually a move to ban the sport in the early 20th century.  So it's inaccurate to say helmets have done nothing to make football safer.

 

Ok so maybe nothing was a stretch.  But they are dangerous in themselves because of the attitude they create

 

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052748704402404574527881984299454