Theater of Pain

"'It goes back to pee-wee ball,' Ryan Clark says.  'When I was six, I was a punt returner on my dad's team.  I got hurt.  I went up and told him, 'Dad, I can't straighten my neck.' But I made sure I told him that after I returned a punt for a touchdown."

This is a quote from the article Theater of Pain.  Personally I think that this is ridiculous that a six year old feels obligated to continue playing a game although he was obviously seriously injured. It is one thing when when a NFL player gets injured, their average salary is $1.9 million, but a six year old?  What kind of pressure is on this kid that makes him feel obligated to continue to play through injury?

Do we too much emphasis on the saying, "no pain, no gain?"  So much so that pain is expected to be endured to be the best?  Arguably the biggest sport in the USA is centered around hitting other people as hard as possible.  But this somehow brings people together.  This sport is made for entertainment and it brings family and friends together.  Anyone watching a game, whether you have a fantasy team and know everything about the sport or know the teams solely by the uniform color, everyone understands a big tackle.  Most people get the "ouch that hurt" but also the "that looked awesome" feeling.  You have to admit, it can look pretty cool, but can also cause serious injury.  Though, have we put too much pressure on the players, whether six years old or NFL players, to endure the pain of the sport?