When Theodore Roosevelt Saved Football Analysis

In the article, “When Theodore Roosevelt Saved Football”, the author Bruce Watson, discuss the many issues that dealt with football, the destruction that happened on gridirons, what key players intervened, and the steps they took to change the phenomenal game we know today as Football. President Theodore Roosevelt saved the game of football, as a result, he pursued peace on another battlefield. Theodore Roosevelt respected the game of football, in what he called “The Strenuous Life” For Roosevelt had “no patience with the people who declaim against it because it necessitates rough play and occasional injuries.” Football today stands to be accused of causing serious damage to the body; consequently, during Theodore Roosevelt’s time football
While Roosevelt discussed rule changes with Woodrow Wilson, he continued to “confer with Walter Camp and other officials.” Theodore Roosevelt convinced two committees to merge into one while they reformed to consider the rules changes. “The Intercollegiate Athletic Conference made the changes that saved football.” Where another season began in the fall of 1906, the president was pleased. Furthermore, the rules committee had modernized the game. Although some rules didn’t change within the year, “the growing popularity of passing opened up football and saved countless lives.” Theodore Roosevelt received a Nobel Peace Prize for “his efforts in brokering peace in the Russo-Japanese War; consequently, he did not receive one for saving football, but football became an American Institution. The National Collegiate Athletic Association established its Theodore Roosevelt Award. This award is given to former college athletes who were “exemplified most clearly and forcefully the ideals and purposes to which college athletics programs and amateur sports competitions are