Of all the people who play sports hardcore in their youth, how many make a living doing it for any amount of time?
Most don't "make it". Those who do even get to amateur level might get seriously injured before they get an actual job doing it. Or they have chronic injuries that plague them for life like back and knee problems.
Of those that make a living, most don't get rich. And for those who get rich, they end up dying young way more often or they have a serious or chronic injury.
But think about all the people who die or are catastrophically injured (paralyzed, otherwise incapacitated, or serious brain injury) playing sports. The ones that never got any benefit from it.
We like it cause of that. Same reason Rome put a Coliseum in every place they conquered. People love to watch gladiators. It's so powerful that it kind of controls the population. Even movies and TV let you look at mortal combat situations up close. Although fictionalized.
Most don't "make it". Those who do even get to amateur level might get seriously injured before they get an actual job doing it. Or they have chronic injuries that plague them for life like back and knee problems.
Of those that make a living, most don't get rich. And for those who get rich, they end up dying young way more often or they have a serious or chronic injury.
But think about all the people who die or are catastrophically injured (paralyzed, otherwise incapacitated, or serious brain injury) playing sports. The ones that never got any benefit from it.
We like it cause of that. Same reason Rome put a Coliseum in every place they conquered. People love to watch gladiators. It's so powerful that it kind of controls the population. Even movies and TV let you look at mortal combat situations up close. Although fictionalized.