Rooting For Wrecks – Opinions From E. Curtis Johnson

The racing incident involving NASCAR superstar Tony Stewart and the death of Kevin Ward Jr., is tragic. It’s interesting how many people have become crime scene investors with no more evidence than the bad-boy reputation of a driver and poor video shot with what appears to be a smart phone.

One culprit is standing on the sidelines – literally – acting coy and innocent. I don’t have a redneck in this pileup, but let’s be honest. American sports fans like football with good hits, hockey with good fights, and racing with good wrecks. We get indignant when an athlete gets hurt or killed, but our appetite for violence is culpable. We like violence because we’re conditioned to it and it’s the opposite of over-protective soccer Moms who kiss boo boo’s and give all the kids trophies for just showing up. Even boxing has declined because mixed martial arts, has more violence.

I’m E. Curtis Johnson. Kevin Ward Jr.’s death is tragic. However, I know people who would return to watching baseball if lions were released on spectators during the 7^th inning stretch.