Don't let isolated incidents taint America's game

Football is back and everybody is giddy over it. And yet, as always, there are things happening in the sport watched and played by millions of Americans that make you scratch your head about what it’s doing to our culture.

Two of those events wasted little time imposing themselves on our national conscience, taking place on the opening weekend of high school and collegiate play. One was close to home, the other a little further away.

Both of them evoked passions over what is known as “the cheap shot.”

First, the one close to home, which took place in Eugene, Ore. during Eastern Washington Univ...