I see a big difference for a rookie paying his dues, carrying pads, singing in the auditorium versus sheer humiliation/pain (remember the Saints created a guantlet were apparently straight beating people - read this: [
articles.latimes.com]).
I guess one way to avoid it getting out of control is to just eliminate it.
Hell in my high school freshman were "hazed" or "smeared" as it was called then and I'm 47. Kids getting lipstick on their faces, tied upside down to goal posts, etc.
Times have obviously changed.
