NFL cracks down on "devastating" hits...

I think the point, though, is that they don't always know what is happening to their bodies. I read an SI article (I've been looking for it, haven't found it) of a former NFL player who never had a concussion -- but 15 years after retirement, is now a wobbling ball of goo, all because of the repeated number of hits to the head he took.

Nobody knew about these side effects 10 years ago. Heck, a lot of them are just starting to be discovered and studied now. I'm not saying that they wouldn't take the money -- but as fans to say "get out there and entertain me by taking each other's heads off!" is ludicrous. They're not gladiators.

I don't disagree with you at all here. Fortunately, the number of NFL players whom you are referring to is small, but draw the most attention. It is ridiculous, though.

I played rugby for a year after I finished with football. Tough sport.

 

After watching those videos something dawned on me, pad size. I know that the newer pads are smaller to help with weight and they could even be designed to prevent injury just as well as the older ones, but they are in fact much much smaller giving the player less surface area to make contact with. I mean just look at the Ronnie Lott video, his pads are massive, and he can make tackles without even hitting the offensive players body with his head. Now a days you'd be hard pressed to make a tackle straight up with out using a part of your helmet.

I played flanker, 8, and lock (the miserable years, not to say I didn't like locking, I dominated scrums, but goddamn our props were big...) I love the game though. Played the other week, couldn't turn my head for the next 2 days, haha. Where about you living? I can see if any of my connections know of a club.

 

oh I also wanted to share this article I read awhile back. It's pretty long but worth the read, very good stuff. It compares NFL players to fighting dogs and also discusses the violence and trauma suffered by the brain.

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/10/19/091019fa_fact_gladwell

 

Emasculated homosexual hippy pansies like you are what is wrong with this country. You are the type who would outlaw knockouts in mma and boxing or be for banning them all together. Every player has the 100% right and ability to not trgy for the catch and cover up. Not only should helmet to helmet be allowed, but any hit short of a late hit should be allowed. This is all about more offense and less money lost to injured players so the owners make more money.

I'll get off MY soapbox now.

 

That's a good point.

I know when I was finishing college and prepping to play semi-pro, I kept moving to smaller and smaller pads. I valued the freedom of movement and added speed over protection.

I know pad technology has come a long way, but I wonder if this mindset doesn't play a small part in it. Especially amongst receivers and d-backs.

Not to mention, the levels of physical fitness and speed across the board in the NFL is greatly superior to even when Ronnie Lott played.

Hey, I played prop! Granted, I was 6'-4', 245 at the time....

 

All receivers should be hospitalized for daring to catch across the middle. The fact they don't have a healthy fear and respect for the safety is their fault. They can choose to cover themselves and not reach for the ball and any hit should be legal to try to put players out of the game For not respecting the defensive player.

 

I would have to say that most NFL players do not mean to hit helmet to helmet it just happens that way sometimes. Now they are going to issue suspensions which could change the course of a season. IMHO alot of the time the "hittee" lowers his head into the oncoming tackle which causes the helmet to helmet hit. The only way there should be suspensions is if it can be determined that the hit was malicious, and not accidental. That being said that can not be done so they just need to let the players play.

 

Using crossed forearms to the head like Ronnie is illegal. How can you expect the owners to make more money when you have players making hits on defense? That limits scoring.

 

They should not be giving fines for malicious head to head hits... they should be giving bonus checks!

 

Soon QB's will wear red jerseys and be off limits.

 

x2 saftey is important but when you watch football you dont wanna see some pee wee hits you want to see some people get hammered,thats why they get the big bucks.

 

i agree that there should be fines, suspensions, ejections for helmet to helmet hit, or leading with the helmet. but the NFL has stated that it will punish "devestating" hits, whether helmet to helmet or not. how exactly do you fine a player for absolutely laying out a guy with a clean hit but because it was a "devestating" hit he is fined?

im all for safety, but playing in the NFL is not a "sentence". if players cant handle the hits, get out, stop playing. you accept these risks when you sign up for the draft. can more things be done to protect players? absolutely...but dont take away from the game by controlling every aspect of a tackle

 

Welcome to the new NFL...its called NFFL.

National
Flag
Football
League

 

There are inherent risks when well paid grown men put the pads on to play in a league with some of the greatest athletes in the world. These risks include broken bones and paralyzing head trauma caused by non malicious hits taken throughout thier career. Who has played football and have not been told "put your hat on the ball" or "seperate the ball from the receiver" it is beat into our brains usualy at a very young age. I've always had a hit or be hit mentality. The NFL has every right to impose any rules they see fit that in turn will protect thier brand but it should begin in practice. These guys don't tackle any more they are launching thier bodies head first at one another putting themselves and the opponent at greater risk then the NFL has ever seen in the past.

All NFL players and players who will never see a paycheck have to start somewhere and thats on our local youth ball fields. The type of "tackling" or launching your body at the ball carrier that we are seeing in the NFL if left unchecked will become more prominent in the youth game, where kids are still playing for fun. The NFL has indirect influence on these youngsters and I think a rule change and getting back to proper coaching techniques will play a big role in helping to keep what we have seen this past weekend off of our local ball fields.

 

I think merriweather should have been fined 100k. 1/2 for the nfl and 1/2 to a charity of his choice. With the $$$ they make hit em where it hurts.

 

Read this and tell me that players don't need some sort of protection.

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/10/19/091019fa_fact_gladwell?currentPage=1

How would you like to be going to see a band play, and the next thing you know, you're passed out on the floor or running outside and vomiting uncontrollably?

 

That's not the least bit unusual for any concert goer or club patron. What's your point?

 

Sarcasm!

I was referring to the part of the article where said symptoms were brought on involuntarily, and without substance use. (unless you count steroids -- which could conceivably have aided -- but that is a different subject)

 

I still don't see what the big deal is. The NFL should just put a clause in their employment contracts:

"Warning: Your body will be irreparably damaged by your career. You will die earlier than expected. You will have complications with dementia when older.

However, you're gonna be fucking rich. You will be able to afford any/all of the following:

- Dubs
- Gaudy Jewelry
- Child Support

So, if you don't mind essentially trading your future health for a goddamn dumptruck filled to the brim with money, sign below."

Eh? Eh? Whatcha think?

 

Noone MAKES any of these athletes play football. There has been a concern of injury in these guys heads since they played in peewee's, and now they are making tons of money doing it. If there is a blatant helmet to helmet that seems like it's with intent to injure then yes there should be consequences, but myself along with most other football fans want to see hard hits, if these guys have it in their heads that if they crush someone and the league is going to fine/suspend/expel them then it is going to take a lot away from the game we love.

Look at boxers for example, there is no secret that taking a rack of bone crushing shots to the head might make you shake like a boggle ball when you're older but they haven't done anything there to rectify that. Not only that, the sport of MMA has taken over boxing and their gloves are many ounces lighter...

My point is that we all tune in every sunday to see one of our favorite linebackers or safeties put a hurting on an opposing teams player. I'm a Redskins fan and if one of the cowboys, eagles or giants get hurt then oh well you should yell at your quarter back for throwing that high ball over the middle! If we soften this game up we're gonna regret it...