One of the common errors in language is using one word when you mean another.
For example, when someone says he is “anxious” to see the latest blockbuster movie, he actually means he is “eager” to see the film.
The word “anxious” means to be worried or nervous about an approaching event or something with an uncertain outcome.
Friday night marks the opening games of the season for public high schools in the state. (Private schools began play last week).
When we say we are anxious for Friday’s games, we do not misspeak.
Most of the state, including The Golden Triangle, has been under a severe heat alert since Wednesday morning, a status that has been extended until 9 p.m. Friday, roughly about the time a 7 p.m. high school game is nearing its end. Based on the forecast, the temperature at 7 p.m. will be 91 degrees, dropping marginally to 88 by 8 p.m. Paired with our Mississippi humidity, the heat index will likely be much higher.
Aware of these conditions, the Mississippi High School Athletics Association announced earlier this week that schools could push Friday’s kickoffs from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
That is, quite literally, the least the MHSAA could do. We are not convinced that moving the game times back by an hour will do much to mitigate the very real danger of heat-related illnesses.
The danger of competing in these weather conditions is not limited to football, but the risks for football players are magnified.
In researching precautions for heat-related illness, we did not find any recommendation that, during an excessive heat alert, teen-aged boys should put on 20 pounds of football gear and engage in intense physical exertion for an extended period of time. That would be insanity, yet that is what high school football players across the state and Golden Triangle will be asked to do on Friday night.
College and professional teams devote enormous resources to keep players safe in these conditions, resources that high school football teams simply cannot afford and do not have.
In choosing to play these games under these conditions, the MHSAA, school administrators, coaches and, yes, parents are taking a calculated and unnecessary risk, a risk that also extends to referees, band members, cheerleaders and spectators, especially small children and the elderly.
We realize this may not be a popular position, but the wisdom of playing high school football in Mississippi in August is debatable even when temperatures are normal for the month. The idea of playing games during an excessive heat alert is absurd.
We are concerned about Friday’s games because we place the highest priority on the safety of everyone who participates in these games. We worry that a needless tragedy may be the result.
In a word, we are anxious.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 35 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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