SPORTSbyBROOKS has an article today concerning an Ohio State fan’s lawsuit against the school for not adequately accommodating his disability (he’s deaf). Before everyone gets up in arms though perhaps we should think about his complaint. He wants all the screens in the stadium to be closed-captioned. Brooks has this to say:

You can’t follow a game without closed captioning? Your handicap isn’t broken ears, Vincent. It’s a cot-dayum broken brain. You follow a game with your eyes, son. Incredulous dismissal of Sabino’s claim by an angry blogger aside, the Americans With Disabilities Act requires that venues make “reasonable” accommodations for fans. The aforementioned game and scoreboard is surely plenty reasonable for anyone with a brain.

Hell, have you ever attended a college football game? Most of the time, the announcers and referees are drowned out by tens of thousands of raucous, drunken fans anyway. Even people whose ears work fine have a hard time hearing things at games. Hey wait…having a hard time hearing things? Maybe hearing fans have a case, too. How much money could we make, anyways? Vincent, call write us and let us know!

And that ladies and gentlemen, is a sassy response. OK, I pretty much agree with what he had to say about this lawsuit, but where I think the fan has a point is this: Would captions be so bad on the screens? Geez, I might enjoy having some too and I hear fine. Brooks himself admits that you can’t hear anything at a game, captions could conceivably then benefit everyone. I don’t think this situation should require monetary compensation for the plaintiff, but a little compromise wouldn’t hurt.

Here’s an idea, how about we twitter the captions do those who need them? Just check your phone after every play…OK, maybe not such a great idea. Anyway, I think some middle ground could be reached without too many pounds of flesh paid. And then we can all go back to hoping the Buckeyes lose. Oh, did I mention I’m from Michigan?