The sports media and the NBA news has been dominated this last week with the issue of safety concerning NBA players. A Philadelphia fan dumped popcorn on Russell Westbrook as he left a playoff game with an injury so severe, he had to leave the game, but apparently not severe enough that he couldn't physically go after the fan. Westbrook, a well-defined athlete at Six foot three and two hundred pounds, had to be physically restrained by several other large men from tearing into the stands to confront the fan. The pain of his injury was clearly no match to that of his ego.
The fan in question has not only been banned from all NBA games, but also banned for life from all events at the Wells Fargo Center. The pain of this punishment grows with time and will no doubt peak with the fan's absence later this year when Ricky Martin comes to town. This is a verdict that is not doled out without grave deliberation. The assassination attempt is still under investigation as authorities have yet to determine if the popcorn was buttered. As we all know, the butter used on popcorn is anything but natural and evidence of the man-made substance would lead to additional charges of a-salt with a chemical weapon.
One ex-player that did not want to be identified, but had ties to the Philadelphia based basketball team was quoted as saying,
Now I know that he's supposed to lead by example and all that, but he's not shoving that aside like it don’t mean anything he was shoving team personnel aside. He knows it’s important, he honestly does but we’re talking about popcorn. We’re talking about popcorn man. We’re talking about popcorn. We’re not talking about the playoffs. We’re talking about popcorn. When you come to the arena, and you see him play, you’ve seen him play right, you’ve seen him get slightly hurt enough to leave the game, but we’re talking about popcorn right now.
He brings up an interesting point, that while under all our noses, has gone thus far unaddressed by the league, the media, and the nation. I'm talking of course about popcorn control. The National Popcorn Association (NPA) has had lawmakers in their pockets for far too long. Right now, I can go up to a concession stand in any arena in America and just buy popcorn. Just like that! No background check, no identification, and no waiting period. What's worse is that there is no age limit in most states. Kids can not only buy this popcorn in arenas, but also at convenience stores, street vendors, and even in schools.
For years some progressive communities have been able to protect the children through dentists, who put the fear of god (and their parents) into kids with braces. Experts say it has done little since the street value is so high and the taste so addictive. The movie industry has been quiet about the issue as well since they are seen as proponents of violence on the big screen, but only while you eat popcorn not pour it in a threatening manner. I was unable to have anyone from Hollywood respond to questions about popcorn regulation as they were to0 busy practicing make-believe and telling people how to vote.
We must think of the children. We must push for popcorn control.
