In a nutshell, the Mercy Rule is when a sporting event is called off early due to one team's monstrous lead. For example, if there's a football game and one team is up 77-0 or 82-3, then there's the chance the game will be called off. Let's be honest, there's no way any team can come from behind to win with THAT huge of a deficit. I'm torn between the Mercy Rule because one, it's the opponent's responsibility to be ready for battle. Teams shouldn't have to take it easy on their opponent; there's wins at stake. The more wins you have, the greater your chances of playing for the championship. Two, when you have a massive lead over your opponent, you want to continue running up the score. To spare further humiliation, the game is called off. I think it's a sportmanship thing with the Mercy Rule. Just like you have to learn how to lose gracefully, you also have to learn how to win gracefully. Take Miami vs. Savannah State University. Miami Hurricanes destroyed Savannah State 77-7, and the 4th Quarter was shortened so Miami wouldn't run up the score further. Had the 4th Quarter been allowed to continue, I believe the score would've been in the 90's or 100's. I think the Mercy Rule should be done away with because it stifles competition. One team shouldn't be penalized for smashing on their opponent; that's what they're supposed to do. In sports, you're supposed to gain any advantage within reason. If that means getting off to a hot start and not letting up on your opponent, so be it. College football seems to be rife with blowouts: 62-7, 77-7, etc. Why doesn't the NFL have blowouts? Because in the pros, athletes understand what's at stake. They're working towards winning the Super Bowl, so each week NFL teams go to war. There's no Mercy Rule in the NFL, so there shouldn't be one in youth athletics.
