Get rid of cheerleaders and indoor football

Matt Birk, an offensive lineman formerly of the Minnesota Vikings and now playing with my enemy Baltimore Ravens, filled in for my favorite sports writer Peter King and wrote this week’s Sports Illustrated’s Monday Morning Quarterback. I have to say, the guy has some good opinions — my opinions, coincidently — on the NFL. 

In MMQB Birk vouches for current players putting a larger portion of their collective bargaining agreement toward retired players, especially those who are enduring long-term injuries and can’t get health coverage because their condition is “pre-existent.” Birk also called for all football to be played outdoors (and I’ll add to that by saying that cold weather cities should have the chance to host the Super Bowl), for the league to do away with cheerleaders (feels sleazy) as well as light shows and T-shirts being cannoned into the seats (unnecessary), and to emphasize flag (not tackle) football for youth (Birk says up through high school; I’d be OK with middle school but he might be right).

Anyway, you can read Birk in his own words here.