Don’t let your babies grow up to be football players
ESPN recently replayed a documentary about the 1985 Bears, which originally aired on the 30th anniversary of the team’s Super Bowl victory.
What a great joy it was to watch one of the NFL’s greatest teams perform at a championship level. But how sad to realize that many of them would end up with physical and mental disabilities as a result of playing the sport they so dearly loved.
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First, Dave Duerson committed suicide while dealing with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, symptoms. Then Jim McMahon, suffering from severe headaches for years, was diagnosed as having early-onset dementia. Now, Steve McMichael is facing certain death as a result of ALS.
My 8-year-old grandson just started playing tackle football and while I thoroughly enjoy watching him participate, I cringe every time he’s involved in a collision.
My advice is this: Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to play football — at least not before viewing this documentary.
Bob Ory, Elgin
Geneva’s old blacksmith shop needs to be preserved
On Sept. 26, the Geneva City Council will consider an appeal of the Historic Preservation Commission’s unanimous decision to deny an application to de-designate and demolish the historic landmark building at 4 E. State St., the onetime Alexander Brothers Blacksmith Shop.
This humble building is among the oldest remaining structures in the city and represents the transformation of Geneva from its first years as a settlement to today.
The Shodeen Family Foundation’s application hinges on their position that there is no financially viable means to rehabilitate the building. However, during the commission hearing process, city consultants Teska Associates Inc. and Planera Group showed there is a feasible path to reuse it through public-private partnership.
We urge the Geneva City Council to uphold the Historic Preservation Commission’s decision and allow space for a public-private partnership approach to receive the consideration it deserves.
In both 2018 and 2023, Landmarks Illinois, a statewide historic preservation nonprofit, included the building at 4 E. State St. on our annual list of the Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois, a distinction granted to only a handful of places each year. We believe strongly that this building should retain its landmark status and remain standing.
Kendra Parzen, Landmarks Illinois Advocacy Manager
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