I feel like helmets aren't the solution. These guys aren't getting skull fractures or anything, the helmets work, but they can't stop the sudden change of direction that moves the brain around inside the skull. You could wear the greatest helmet on earth, but as long as you're changing direction forcefully/suddenly, your brain has the potential to move and impact the inside of the skull, causing a concussion.
I've said this before, and maybe it won't help, and it's certainly a pipedream/will never happen, but they should think about putting weight limits in the game. Make these players smaller. Mandate it. Smaller, slower, less muscle, less forceful impact.
I also think the changes in the passing game - restrictions on checking receivers at the line, or clutching/grabbing receivers, is a problem too. These guys are FLYING down the field or across the field, and when they make a catch and get smoked by a defensive player, the impact is that much more violent.
Smaller players, slower players, maybe even reduced padding to make these guys less inclined to go for the kill.
You only need 300 pound lineman because the other team has 300 pound lineman. 250-275 pound players could do all the same things if their counterparts were the same size.
I don't know, I think the sport has major changes coming. Just thinking of changes that wouldn't turn it into flag football, but could also help long term problems. Smaller players would reduce stress on the heart, reduce impact, reduce PED use, etc.
Most of us are not aware that playing in the NFL Â
By a tom of players in the league. That article came out last summer and I thought for sure that TE league was going to switch all helmets over especially now that there I statistical evidence that the traditional helmets are baby doing what they should.
if you play organized football for 20 years at a high level, lessening the totality of the abuse by x% isn't going to do anything other than slightly reduce the problem.
bottom line is these guys need to go away. I don't know if they should be baselining every single player in the league, but when people start showing the signs of this, they need to go away. if you start losing people quickly, that would probably be the best motivation to make changes, and from the player perspective to MAKE them make changes.
with concussions, depression and thoughts of suicide:
Quote:
NFL Hall of Famer and former NY Giants Linebacker Harry Carson was the special guest speaker at Thursday’s annual Head Injury Association forum on Long Island and for good reason. Carson shared more personal revelations about his struggles with post concussion syndrome, revealing that at one time he was so depressed that he considered suicide. “The depression got so bad that when I would drive over the Tappan Zee Bridge, I would think ‘let me just drive off the bridge!”
Where he blamed steroids for his brain cancer when steroids didn't cause his brain cancer (lyle, not seau). There are tons of people who commit suicide every day, much more than many people realize. With Junior's letter he needs an explanation to why he did what he did.
I am not saying football didn't contribute or cause anything, I just hope we don't jump to conclusions on the matter without scientific proof. I am glad he requested his brain be researched, since many suicides won't get a full autopsy.
if you want a good explanation for why guys do this Â
go read about Mike Richter's story about PCS. and keep in mind that being a hockey goalie, his experiences are probably exponentially better than what happens to a seriously tenured football player.
Saying what Michael Vick did was a "mistake" implies that he messed up. He killed/tortured dogs, multiple times. The only "mistake" he made was getting caught
and doesn't even warrant a response from anyone here. The only thing I will say is that I hope this guy suffers multiple concussions at one point in his life
These boards need better moderation to delete some garbage being Â
You do understand that CTE is a severe brain disease, two of the symptoms of which are severe depression and a very sharp increase in suicidal tendencies, right?
Are you really stupid enough to think of this as a lifestyle choice?
I bet you think of "The Gay" as a lifestyle choice, too, huh?
He had 3 kids and a family to raise and support but he killed himself!
That is called being SELFISH!!!!
I dont care what kind of problems you have in life. Everyone has issues point blank. So dont tell me I need to feel sorry for Seau because he committed suicide.
He's a starting QB in the NFL making millions of dollars. Boo fucking hoo. And you know what, he IS a fucking criminal and he has no one to blame but himself.
Always enjoy your posts because they have truth to them. This guy clearly has the comprehension level of a child and probably can't even understand what you are saying
We all realize suicide is a selfish act. It doesnt mean that one can't feel sadness that an individual was so depressed they felt suicide was the only way. It also doesn't make the loss of the individual any less significant.
it's not a suicide in the truest sense. what you're dealing with is a disease. 30-40 year old people with damaged, withered brains of elderly people. it's an unnatural form of dementia.
and the way these are being carried out is creepy.
I have watched football weekly for well over forty years. IMO the evolution of better helmets and face guards has seem to have the opposite effect and only worsen the problem. Defenders now appear to feel so "protected" they use their helmet as a weapon and launch themselves into the opposition. years ago players were taught tackling technique and you would wrap up and use your shoulder (think old fashion tackling dummy). Players now mostly just lead with their helmets (heads).
I don't know if it would work, but it seems like if they would reduced the face mask to a minimum, it might make a player think twice about leading with his head as often as he now does and go back to using the padded shoulder. I guarantee it they all would be given an old leather helmet you would see a different approach to tackling on the field (not suggesting this literally)
i remember a group of NE lb's were laughing it up piror to Eli's 4th qtr drive. Junior played so long in the NFL, it was bittersweet he did not win the SB. He was one great LB and deserves to be in the HOF.
It was bittersweet when the Giants beat the Pats.. Â
family and take his own life. That is a horrifying illness i wish on nobody. really sad for his family. The saturday night poster is a complete idiot for those comments.
I've said this before, and maybe it won't help, and it's certainly a pipedream/will never happen, but they should think about putting weight limits in the game. Make these players smaller. Mandate it. Smaller, slower, less muscle, less forceful impact.
I also think the changes in the passing game - restrictions on checking receivers at the line, or clutching/grabbing receivers, is a problem too. These guys are FLYING down the field or across the field, and when they make a catch and get smoked by a defensive player, the impact is that much more violent.
Smaller players, slower players, maybe even reduced padding to make these guys less inclined to go for the kill.
You only need 300 pound lineman because the other team has 300 pound lineman. 250-275 pound players could do all the same things if their counterparts were the same size.
I don't know, I think the sport has major changes coming. Just thinking of changes that wouldn't turn it into flag football, but could also help long term problems. Smaller players would reduce stress on the heart, reduce impact, reduce PED use, etc.
if you play organized football for 20 years at a high level, lessening the totality of the abuse by x% isn't going to do anything other than slightly reduce the problem.
bottom line is these guys need to go away. I don't know if they should be baselining every single player in the league, but when people start showing the signs of this, they need to go away. if you start losing people quickly, that would probably be the best motivation to make changes, and from the player perspective to MAKE them make changes.
and not a punter, QB or kicker, you're doing something wrong.
article - ( New Window )
I am not saying football didn't contribute or cause anything, I just hope we don't jump to conclusions on the matter without scientific proof. I am glad he requested his brain be researched, since many suicides won't get a full autopsy.
go read about Mike Richter's story about PCS. and keep in mind that being a hockey goalie, his experiences are probably exponentially better than what happens to a seriously tenured football player.
Ignorance and backwards views about suicide are too disheartening to argue with.
is a fucking moron.
It's not worth our time, he doesn't deserve our thoughts.
Are you really stupid enough to think of this as a lifestyle choice?
I bet you think of "The Gay" as a lifestyle choice, too, huh?
That is called being SELFISH!!!!
I dont care what kind of problems you have in life. Everyone has issues point blank. So dont tell me I need to feel sorry for Seau because he committed suicide.
Self inflicted DEATH doesnt give you a pass.
Let the man rest in peace, bashing him is disgusting.
Go troll elsewhere.
it's not a suicide in the truest sense. what you're dealing with is a disease. 30-40 year old people with damaged, withered brains of elderly people. it's an unnatural form of dementia.
and the way these are being carried out is creepy.
I don't know if it would work, but it seems like if they would reduced the face mask to a minimum, it might make a player think twice about leading with his head as often as he now does and go back to using the padded shoulder. I guarantee it they all would be given an old leather helmet you would see a different approach to tackling on the field (not suggesting this literally)