tony hipchest
05-04-2007, 09:58 AM
http://nfl.com/news/story/10164379
By Pat Kirwan
NFL.com Senior Analyst
(May 3, 2007) -- The issue of concussions is turning into a very hot subject around the league. Commissioner Roger Goodell has mandated that every team attend a league-wide conference on concussions on June 19.
Is the issue over who to blame when injuries occur? Is it over the club or the coach that suggests to the player, "We need you. Can you go?" Is it the player who fears he'll lose his job if he sits? Or is it, as I believe, now time to protect the players from themselves.
Commissioner Roger Goodell has made the issue of concussions a top priority.
I spent most of the day talking to NFL players about the concussion story. Players said they did feel some pressure from clubs to play when they were hurt, but they also admitted they would try and "talk the trainer into letting them play."
It is my opinion that teams are a lot more cautious than they were years ago and that older players are wiser, but the young players feel invincible. As one player told me, "I feel like Superman." Well, no one is protected from concussions in a violent collision sport like football, but the longer I talked with players, the more I was convinced of a few issues that could help protect the players from themselves.
Make the mouthpiece mandatory in the NFL: Most of the players I discussed the mouthpiece subject with felt about 35 percent of NFL players wear a mouthpiece. When asked about his mouthpiece, one linebacker said, "I only wear it when the team we play has a big fullback." He also said, "I can't call the defense with a mouthpiece."
Players have to wear helmets that fit: As one veteran said, "There's a player on our team that uses a helmet two sizes too big to fit his hair under the helmet." R.W. McQuarters cut his hair recently, and I'm sure he had to get a different helmet.
Provide a group of league doctors: There is a growing sentiment that a league bank of doctors not affiliated with a specific team should rule on all concussions. A player that gets a concussion on a given Sunday could have a "league doctor" rule him out for a specific time period with no chance of the player being released. Players are afraid that if they get labeled injury prone, they will not be on the payroll to long. Some players feel the team doctor is to close to the team to do the right thing. I have known some great team doctors who always put the patient ahead of the team, but it could be a legitimate fear among players.
Finally, the courage and toughness required to play this game and the intense loyalty the players have for each other can work against the same player when a concussion is the issue.
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By Pat Kirwan
NFL.com Senior Analyst
(May 3, 2007) -- The issue of concussions is turning into a very hot subject around the league. Commissioner Roger Goodell has mandated that every team attend a league-wide conference on concussions on June 19.
Is the issue over who to blame when injuries occur? Is it over the club or the coach that suggests to the player, "We need you. Can you go?" Is it the player who fears he'll lose his job if he sits? Or is it, as I believe, now time to protect the players from themselves.
Commissioner Roger Goodell has made the issue of concussions a top priority.
I spent most of the day talking to NFL players about the concussion story. Players said they did feel some pressure from clubs to play when they were hurt, but they also admitted they would try and "talk the trainer into letting them play."
It is my opinion that teams are a lot more cautious than they were years ago and that older players are wiser, but the young players feel invincible. As one player told me, "I feel like Superman." Well, no one is protected from concussions in a violent collision sport like football, but the longer I talked with players, the more I was convinced of a few issues that could help protect the players from themselves.
Make the mouthpiece mandatory in the NFL: Most of the players I discussed the mouthpiece subject with felt about 35 percent of NFL players wear a mouthpiece. When asked about his mouthpiece, one linebacker said, "I only wear it when the team we play has a big fullback." He also said, "I can't call the defense with a mouthpiece."
Players have to wear helmets that fit: As one veteran said, "There's a player on our team that uses a helmet two sizes too big to fit his hair under the helmet." R.W. McQuarters cut his hair recently, and I'm sure he had to get a different helmet.
Provide a group of league doctors: There is a growing sentiment that a league bank of doctors not affiliated with a specific team should rule on all concussions. A player that gets a concussion on a given Sunday could have a "league doctor" rule him out for a specific time period with no chance of the player being released. Players are afraid that if they get labeled injury prone, they will not be on the payroll to long. Some players feel the team doctor is to close to the team to do the right thing. I have known some great team doctors who always put the patient ahead of the team, but it could be a legitimate fear among players.
Finally, the courage and toughness required to play this game and the intense loyalty the players have for each other can work against the same player when a concussion is the issue.
so would steelerfans rather have troy with long hair for 10 years or 15 years with it short?