I never understood any football controversy because Superman's altruism to me was never about strictly denying himself joy, especially as a teen. Like Myskin said the story shows it as no one getting hurt and it's not like he made money. And he's definitely a guy who does make money from his powers later anyway (when not going around in a bright costume calling himself Superman). Don't usually get to relate to Superman directly but I used to like Gamesharking NFL Blitz.

I did end up liking the last of the issue a lot more. Where the football gets rounded out by the studying and Lana relationship, and I like how they both work with the military thing in defining this young Clark.