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Shocking article on the possible future of the game

Comments

  • #2
    matthew8
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,599 ✭✭✭matthew8


    Really the issue is with the helmets. Right now they're a weapon. They should be softer, and players should be wearing different ones. I remember Aaron Rodgers changed his helmet in 2010 after getting hurt against the Lions to a safer one, and in the NFC championship game was seemingly unaffected by a helmet-to-helmet hit by Julius Peppers. The problem is that if the NFL forces players to wear certain helmets, that makes them responsible for head injuries by law, but it seems they're now responsible anyway, so there should be new rules about what helmets you can wear. I hope the NFL wins this lawsuit though because the buck stops with the players on this one, if they're not wearing the right gear that's their fault.


  • #3
    darklighter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 490 ✭✭darklighter


    As long as the sport is played you will have the risk of suffering a head injury. As Matthew says, improved helmets will play a part in minimising the risk. But I think the bigger issue is for want of a better phrase, the "Macho" side. Until its seen as widely acceptable to sit out at the first sign of a concussion, incidences of head injuries aren't going anywhere. While it is correct that the NFL is pursuing strategies re concussions, some would correctly say years too late, there has to be a change in player mindset. I remember thinking when Big Ben sat out (i think) a game last year, it seemed there was an air of doubt in the media about whether that was the right decision. Speaking from personal experience, I play Gaelic & got two concussions in the space of a couple of weeks last year and both times, kept on going even though I knew rightly I was in no fit state to continue. Was a couple of months before I was any way right.

    I also think that in relation to HS/College ball etc., you will see disclaimers been signed before games to absolve teams of any liability in this area.

    Off-topic, I think you will see this issue applying to all contact sports over the next decade or so, in particular Rugby Union & League. As players continually get bigger, stronger, faster, contact is going to be heavily sanitised. You can already see this in Soccer where physical contact has basically been outlawed and Gaelic is fast going the same way.


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