ATHLETES’ AGGRESSION
As a sports-psychology consultant who has worked with N.F.L. athletes, I read with interest Ben McGrath’s piece (Comment, September 29th). With the support of some professional football coaches, I advocate that the N.F.L. require every team to create an internal support-group system that allows players to privately share with one another the problems they’re experiencing in their personal lives. These problems may lead to misdirected anger and affect how players interact, not only with their teammates but also with their wives or girlfriends. Many professional athletes were taught at an early age not to talk about their feelings, because it’s not macho, and is a sign of weakness. That’s unfortunate, but, as the saying goes, it’s never too late to be what you might have been. Once…
