Of course not. The long term benefits of athletics and a healthy lifestyle are nothing compared to short term injuries caused by improper playing.

Being fit is just to damn risky, I tells ya'.

This argument is like arguing that eating is bad because we might get food poisoning. Name me any activity that doesn't have some inherent risk: you'd probably have to think pretty hard.

Sports are incredibly fun both to play and watch. In addition to keeping people in shape (something the U.S. definitely needs) sports are just plain fun. As long as you're not making stupid decisions, there is no real need to worry about injuries.

Even with injuries, however, it is still worth the risks to play...otherwise why would so many people who get injured go back?

The obvious fact in the sporting world is that professional sporting activists participate in specific sports in order to fulfill their love of the sport and to profit from it. Even moving down the hierarchy of sport enthusiasts, your everyday basketball-playing kids are having fun enough just shooting hoops at a local ring.

Regardless of the sport you play, you are never immune to potential harm; this comes with the territory of "physical activity." Sport enthusiasts tend to get themselves hurt during the game, as, after all, they are "enthusiastic" enough to participate to the full length of their abilities, which would make them more prone to potential harm. Is this worth it? Absolutely. The rough and tough natures of many sports are what educate the players of the conduct of play; that they need to be wary of other players and they need to be focused at the goal at hand. Last time I checked, education was a good thing.

There are also those of us who are passionate about their favorite sport(s), and are keen to enjoy it to the full extent of their abilities. For example, I am currently playing in Under 19's Basketball, and I too have suffered quite a few injuries in my several of years of play. I am a passionate basketballer and wish to live out my sport for as long as I can. Basketball is the social balance to my school studies and non-stop flurry of assignments and standard homework. In other words, basketball is what keeps me from going psychologically insane; it's definitely worth it to me. I'm sure my personal example applies to many others, who I'm sure would all agree that their sporting balance is worth it altogether.

I should also mention some of the merits that sporting participation provides; responsibility, teamwork, social acceptance and many more. These allow for many personal and social benefits to be bestowed upon an individual and, in many cases, a team.

The values of sport are just too worthwhile. I should be obvious that overall, sports really are worth it for the player! ;)

For some sports, no, it is not worth the risk, but for golf, I will play golf no matter what.

if you had as much skill as kobe would you play for only a million a year?

they are worth it you can keep in shape maybe enjoy it or even be succesfull but ultimatly it is worth it

Besides pro athletes get paid like a bunch. I say it's worth it.

Did you see the picture of my knee when I tore my patellar tendon? It was bigger than my head. Quit your bitching and get back on that court ;)