Are you kidding me?

[geauxgator1]

New rule proposal won't let NFL running backs lead with their head? People will quit watching the game. They might as well play touch.


SPORTS FOOTBALL


BY JOHN KRYK ,QMI AGENCY
FIRST POSTED: THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2013 08:03 PM EDT | UPDATED: THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2013 09:28 PM EDT

A rule proposed by the NFL’s competition committee would make it a foul for a ball carrier to smash into a defender with the crown of his helmet in open space.

It would be the first rule in American football history limiting a runner’s contact with a defender, outside of egregious acts such as punching a tackler, or grabbing his facemask while stiff-arming.

Owners vote next Wednesday at the league’s annual meeting in Phoenix on whether to approve this and five other proposed new rules, announced Thursday by the competition committee on a conference call with NFL writers.

Sure to be the most controversial of the six proposed changes is the runner-contact rule. It reads:

“It is a foul if a runner or tackler initiates forcible contact by delivering a blow with the top crown of his helmet against an opponent when both players are clearly outside of the tackle box. Incidental contact by the helmet of a runner or tackler against an opponent shall not be a foul.”

Rich McKay, president and CEO of the Atlanta Falcons and chairman of the competition committee, elaborated.

“This is a pure and simple player-safety rule proposal, first and foremost,” he said. “We really think the time has come that we need to address the situation in space when a runner or a tackler has a choice as to how they are going to approach the opponent. We are going to say that you can’t make that choice ducking your head and delivering a blow, a forcible blow, with the top crown of your helmet. We are trying to protect the runner or the tackler from himself in that instance.”

St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher was on the call, and he explained that a ball carrier would still be permitted to lower his shoulder and head, to protect the football. But not the head just before contact with a tackler, outside the box.

[your_perfect_enemy]

I'm glad they're finally coming around to it not being all on the defensive player but this one is pretty stupid. Good luck enforcing it.

[DoctorGator]

Just part of the dismantling of football. The president has even weighed in on it. If football exists in 25 years, we'll have a hard time recognizing it.

[96Gatorcise]

as fans we find these types of changes disheartening but if something is not done to limit concussions, acute brain injuries and chronic brain injuries from repeated blows the game will disappear anyway. Parents will stop letting their kids play football which over time, will shrink the pool of available players

[CSpantheGatorFan]

Just part of the dismantling of football. The president has even weighed in on it. If football exists in 25 years, we'll have a hard time recognizing it.

This. It's getting out of control.

[geauxgator1]

as fans we find these types of changes disheartening but if something is not done to limit concussions, acute brain injuries and chronic brain injuries from repeated blows the game will disappear anyway. Parents will stop letting their kids play football which over time, will shrink the pool of available players

They have been saying this for decades, and football is more popular and more people playing it than ever.

[gatorman_07732]

The game has started to be officially ruined this off season.

[channingcrowderhungry]

If you give people helmets they are going to use them as weapons. That being said, this is pretty stupid.

[96Gatorcise]

They have been saying this for decades, and football is more popular and more people playing it than ever.

Not saying it will happen tomorrow but as more science backs up the claims of CTE and its link to football and repeated blows to the head, the game will have to change...

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/8867972/ucla-study-finds-signs-cte-living-former-nfl-players-first-time

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/8697286/boston-university-researchers-discover-28-new-cases-chronic-brain-damage-deceased-football-players

According to the study, the BU researchers now have 50 confirmed cases of former football players with CTE -- 33 who played in the NFL, one in the CFL, one semi-professionally, nine through college and six who played only through high school. That included Nathan Stiles, 17, who died of a subdural hematoma after a hit in a 2010 high school homecoming game in Spring Hill, Kan.

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/8297366/espn-survey-finds-news-coverage-concussions-leads-majority-parents-less-likely-allow-sons-play-youth-football-leagues

The concussions, violent hits seen on TV, lawsuits over health, and suicides among football players have taken their toll on parents, who see a connection between what's happening in the pros and the risks their children face on the field down the street, an "Outside the Lines" survey finds. About 57 percent of parents in an online public opinion survey of more than 1,000 people conducted by ESPN Research and the Global Strategy Group in early August said that recent stories about the increase in concussions in football have made them less likely to allow their sons to play in youth leagues.

The survey asked several questions about people's perception of injuries, specifically concussions, in the NFL, and how those opinions trickled down through all levels of the sport. Special emphasis was given to parents of boys younger than 15. About two-thirds of parents said concussions are a serious issue in youth football.

[NJAGator]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/14/emmitt-smith-criticizes-proposed-helmet-rule/

Mr Emmitt Smith, who knows a thing or two about playing the position, disagrees with it completely.

“If I’m a running back and I’m running into a linebacker, you’re telling me I have to keep my head up so he can take my chin off?’’ Smith told 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. “You’ve absolutely lost your mind.’’

“As a running back, it’s almost impossible [to not lower your head],’’ he said. “The first thing you do is get behind your shoulder pads. That means you’re leaning forward and the first part of contact that’s going to take place is your head, regardless.

“I disagree with the rule altogether. It doesn’t make any sense for that position. It sounds like it’s been made up by people who have never played the game of football.’’

[Tipmoose]

Just put cute little ribbons attached with velcro to their waists and be done with it. Also, eliminate all line play and make the opposing non-line-backers have to count out loud to 5 mississippi before they get to rush the opposing QB.

This is freaking RIDICULOUS.

[LimeyGator]

Football can have dangerous consequences eh? Who would ever have thought it...

There was me thinking that playing Football was a choice, too.

[gatorman_07732]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/14/emmitt-smith-criticizes-proposed-helmet-rule/

Mr Emmitt Smith, who knows a thing or two about playing the position, disagrees with it completely.

“If I’m a running back and I’m running into a linebacker, you’re telling me I have to keep my head up so he can take my chin off?’’ Smith told 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. “You’ve absolutely lost your mind.’’

“As a running back, it’s almost impossible [to not lower your head],’’ he said. “The first thing you do is get behind your shoulder pads. That means you’re leaning forward and the first part of contact that’s going to take place is your head, regardless.

“I disagree with the rule altogether. It doesn’t make any sense for that position. It sounds like it’s been made up by people who have never played the game of football.’’

It's also trying to take away instinctive to the position. It's beyond bizarre that they would try to take away something so natural to the position. I just think they are crossing a boundry with this rule.

[g8rboy]

it is simple. everyone knows it is a violent game. we know the possible ramifications. if you don't like that, don't play.

[96Gatorcise]

Study: Impact of youth head hits severe

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/7601017/study-impact-kids-football-head-hits-severe-college-games

In the wake of a new study showing that head impacts among second-grade football players are sometimes as severe as those seen at the college level, the national president of Pop Warner said he will propose a rule that, for the first time, would limit the amount of contact allowed in practices.

Jon Butler, who heads the nation's oldest and largest youth football organization, told ESPN on Wednesday that his membership needs to take action to protect the safety of children and prevent attrition driven by parents who are increasingly concerned about concussion risks.

Here is the whole study:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3310979/

[geauxgator1]

Study: Impact of youth head hits severe

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/7601017/study-impact-kids-football-head-hits-severe-college-games



Here is the whole study:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3310979/

I appreciate the input and I'm sure most reasonable persons would want the game to be as safe as possible. The football/headinjury situation seems almost analogous to the smoking issue in some respects. Any reasonable person knew after the 1960's and probably before that, that smoking could hurt you. I think most people realize that there is an inherent danger in football. We don't need more studies to let us know that. Although I don't condemn those studies, and I'm sure they bring a lot of helpful information to the discussion, people chose to play football, and watch football. I would have to believe players know they are taking a risk. They should be informed of the risk, and any technology that could make the game safer should be used. But, do not change the game, because of the risk. Simple enough, don't play the game, or don't let your kids play the game, if you do not want to, but let those who do want to play, play.

[gnvgator]

Just put cute little ribbons attached with velcro to their waists and be done with it. Also, eliminate all line play and make the opposing non-line-backers have to count out loud to 5 mississippi before they get to rush the opposing QB.

This is freaking RIDICULOUS.


http://www.icsmmblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/flag-football.jpg

[96Gatorcise]

I appreciate the input and I'm sure most reasonable persons would want the game to be as safe as possible. The football/headinjury situation seems almost analogous to the smoking issue in some respects. Any reasonable person knew after the 1960's and probably before that, that smoking could hurt you. I think most people realize that there is an inherent danger in football. We don't need more studies to let us know that. Although I don't condemn those studies, and I'm sure they bring a lot of helpful information to the discussion, people chose to play football, and watch football. I would have to believe players know they are taking a risk. They should be informed of the risk, and any technology that could make the game safer should be used. But, do not change the game, because of the risk. Simple enough, don't play the game, or don't let your kids play the game, if you do not want to, but let those who do want to play, play.

I agree and understand, I do not want to see the game change. I love football and want it to continue. I have no skin in the the game, I do not have kids so I do not have to worry about CTE or injuries. So I am biased when it comes to the game.

But I completely understand where parents are coming from when it comes to the safety of their kids.

I see the end game here from the NFL, more and more parents will turn their kids away from the sport as the links to CTE become more solid so they are making changes to the game NOW to head off the coming surge against the game.

The NFL is sacrificing short term to make sure there is a long term life of the game.


We may not like it but it is going to happen....

[socraticsilence]

They have alter things a bit, people are too big and too fast right now, something catastrophic could happen and or a visible name player is going to suffer an Ali like post-career decline and that will be that in terms of mothers letting their kids play. The game is not now what it was in 1990 and 1990 is not what it was in 1970, the game is constantly evolving football isn't baseball the rules have always been in a state of flux.

[tilly]

No ones going to stop watching. That always cracks me up.

[geauxgator1]

I agree and understand, I do not want to see the game change. I love football and want it to continue. I have no skin in the the game, I do not have kids so I do not have to worry about CTE or injuries. So I am biased when it comes to the game.

But I completely understand where parents are coming from when it comes to the safety of their kids.

I see the end game here from the NFL, more and more parents will turn their kids away from the sport as the links to CTE become more solid so they are making changes to the game NOW to head off the coming surge against the game.

The NFL is sacrificing short term to make sure there is a long term life of the game.


We may not like it but it is going to happen....

I think we are pretty much on the same page, but I doubt this impacts the way parent's react all that much. I also doubt that the NFL rules committee adopts the proposal.

[G8R92]

No ones going to stop watching. That always cracks me up.

Exactly. Unless your FFL awards points for helmet to helmet hits........

[tilly]

I have yet to meet a single true NFL fan who has watched 1 less minute do to the rule changes.

[dadx4]

it is simple. everyone knows it is a violent game. we know the possible ramifications. if you don't like that, don't play.

Ding...Ding...Ding...we have a winner folks.

[FearNoSpear]

Last ti e I checked nobody is forced to play football. Everyone who plays has the free choice to do so. They go into it knowing the risks. We are becoming so soft as a society it's disgusting. Everyone wants their damn hand held

[Jupgator]

I got the answer. Players wouldn't lead with their heads if they made everyone wear leather helments. Maybe the old timers had it right after all. :yes:

[mjbuf05]

The pussification of america continues.

[gator1986]

This is why I watch college football.... They're making the NFL gay as aids

[mjbuf05]

This is why I watch college football.... They're making the NFL gay as aids

LOL!

[GatorLaw]

Leading with the "crown" = bad, "incidental contact" = o.k. More judgement calls for the refs, more controversy over refs' calls, more games decided by refs. This is a really bad proposal.

[DawgFanFromAlabam]

The pussification of america continues.

Yes, because dying of brain injury makes us a more manly society.

I'm guessing if one of the countless ex-players that have died or are dying as a result if brain injury was your son you might have a different outlook on how "tough America is."

[urbangirl]

It's also trying to take away instinctive to the position. It's beyond bizarre that they would try to take away something so natural to the position. I just think they are crossing a boundry with this rule.

Next thing will be when you go to fall down, don't put your arm out to brace your fall. You might break your wrist.:laugh:

[mjbuf05]

Yes, because dying of brain injury makes us a more manly society.

I'm guessing if one of the countless ex-players that have died or are dying as a result if brain injury was your son you might have a different outlook on how "tough America is."

Players know the risk, how many nfl players have died due to brain injuries? Give me a break.

[gator1986]

Yes, because dying of brain injury makes us a more manly society.

I'm guessing if one of the countless ex-players that have died or are dying as a result if brain injury was your son you might have a different outlook on how "tough America is."

They know what they're getting into. They play for that reason. They get paid millions and they know the risk of the sports. If you don't like it, don't play it. I played I knew the consequences and I did not care, it's a full contact sport helped keep me in line. You might as well put some flags on these guys, with skirts, and possibly some tutus, and let them run around in circles. People watch this sport and others alike ( hockey ) because its the closest thing to violence that you can be apart of without having the law getting involved. Once again these players "know" exactly what they're getting into from the start in high school, they choose from there on out. The ones who do not make it or ended up not playing couldn't cut it obviously. I don't think these guys deserve millions if your going to be eliminating the hits, we already have to suffer with kickers flopping faking hits, QB's crying about everything along with WR's... Please don't make everyone a bunch of pussies..

[96Gatorcise]

They know what they're getting into. They play for that reason. They get paid millions and they know the risk of the sports. If you don't like it, don't play it. I played I knew the consequences and I did not care, it's a full contact sport helped keep me in line. You might as well put some flags on these guys, with skirts, and possibly some tutus, and let them run around in circles. People watch this sport and others alike ( hockey ) because its the closest thing to violence that you can be apart of without having the law getting involved. Once again these players "know" exactly what they're getting into from the start in high school, they choose from there on out. The ones who do not make it or ended up not playing couldn't cut it obviously. I don't think these guys deserve millions if your going to be eliminating the hits, we already have to suffer with kickers flopping faking hits, QB's crying about everything along with WR's... Please don't make everyone a bunch of pussies..

I think many are missing the point......

This is not 100% player safety for today's players, this is about youth football to high school football.

There has been a decline in the number of youths participating in football at the local and high school level where the "parent" has the say if the kid plays football or not.

More parents are pushing their kids to different sports due to the evidence of concussions and brain injury starting at the local/youth level.

I linked a study earlier in this thread that showed impacts and concussions as early as 7-8 years old equaling that of high school and college impacts.

The decline will only continue with more studies and more solid links to concussions/brain injury and CTE.

The NFL is trying to be proactive on this and it will trickle down into college/high school/youth football.

From a personal perspective, of the many parents that I know only 2 let their kids play youth football. 1 of them is a former USFL CB (now a chiropractor) and he will only let his kid be a kicker because of his personal experience with the sport.

Another side note- the chiro takes care of many of the local athletes around Tampa. One day Warrick Dunn was in his office and I got to meet him. His speech was slow and gaze a little off. Had a little trouble putting things together. Afterwards I asked the Dr. what was wrong and the Dr. told me too many hits to the head. Yes I know it is anecdotal but I have seen this in other players I have worked with and met through my career.

[DawgFanFromAlabam]

I think many are missing the point......

This is not 100% player safety for today's players, this is about youth football to high school football.

There has been a decline in the number of youths participating in football at the local and high school level where the "parent" has the say if the kid plays football or not.

More parents are pushing their kids to different sports do to the evidence of concussions and brain injury starting at the local/youth level.

I linked a study earlier in this thread that showed impacts and concussions as early as 7-8 years old equaling that of high school and college impacts.

The decline will only continue with more studies and more solid links to concussions/brain injury and CTE.

The NFL is trying to be proactive on this and it will trickle down into college/high school/youth football.

From a personal perspective, of the many parents that I know only 2 let their kids play youth football. 1 of them is a former USFL CB (now a chiropractor) and he will only let his kid be a kicker because of his personal experience with the sport.

Another side note- the chiro takes care of many of the local athletes around Tampa. One day Warrick Dunn was in his office and I got to meet him. His speech was slow and gaze a little off. Had a little trouble putting things together. Afterwards I asked the Dr. what was wrong and the Dr. told me too many hits to the head. Yes I know it is anecdotal but I have seen this in other players I have worked with and met through my career.

Quit trying to interject facts and logic. If you're not willing to risk lifelong injury and an early demise for sport you're just a puss...

[socraticsilence]

Watch what happens in the years following a Manning or a Brady developing CTE, parents are going to pull kids and refuse to sign permission slips. Hell I think most of us played on here and how many would be perfectly cool with your kid playing- I'd have to think a little at least.

[ACCecil]

Hold on.

Time out.

It is fine to adjust the rules to improve safety for the players but you have to construct tules that make freakin' sense first. That is the first rule of making rules it has to make freakin' sense.

Making it a penalty for the RB to not lead with his head is just plain stupid and difficult if not impossible to enforce.

There zero point zero decline in youths playing football in my neck of the woods. In fact, the leagues are multiplying like rabbits on viagra. Both of my sons played, my oldest son picked off one of Driskel's passes, true story, haven't mentioned it before, when Driskel was at Hagerty and Hagerty did some off season 7 on 7's with my son's high school.

My oldest son only started two games his whole high school career, a safety, he lost what was supposed to be his starting job going into his senior year but rotated that year just didn't start any. Sorry to get off topic, my point is, the young people are still playing football and Roger Godell is getting a little weird with the rules. I realize it is a safety committee doing this but you know Roger is behind it.

Again, changing the rules to enhance safety is fine but any rule that essentially takes the contact out of the game is just not sensible. Come on, Roger. Oh, before I forget my oldest son picked off fomer WP High QB Asanta Woulard, another Elite 11 winner, who eventually committed to UCLA this year. This time in a real game when they were mad at the kid who stole my son't starting job after he got burned for two TD's in the first three WP drives. My son played the rest of the way and picked an Asanti overthrow.

I better stop now, hell, I could go on all day.

Neither one of my kids has any real football injuries and they played all through Pop Warner including against one of Ray Lewis's sons, the guy who just signed with Miami, the RB. My little one will be a 10th grader next year. Football is good for the little midgets. It is fun. It makes men out of them. It puts hair on their chests.

Roger Godell has no hair in his chest.

[DawgFanFromAlabam]

Neither one of my kids has any real football injuries and they played all through Pop Warner including against one of Ray Lewis's sons, the guy who just signed with Miami, the RB. My little one will be a 10th grader next year. Football is good for the little midgets. It is fun. It makes men out of them. It puts hair on their chests.

You're really not getting this. Brain injury doesn't show up until YEARS later. Kids could be more hurt than you know.

I played. Know I had multiple concussions, hits I barely remembered getting up from. I'm 57 and seem to be doing OK. My son played, was an all-state center and could have played at divII level (but decided to concentrate on his studies during college). His younger brother didn't play and is every bit the man his brother is. Both are good men and both have hair on their chests. :laugh:

I hope your son and mine remain OK. But I will support all efforts to make the sport safer. To equate risking your life with manliness is ridiculous. Now that I live in Florida I see guys everyday riding motorcycles without helmets. I rode for years - and probably owe my life to having worn a helmet. Those guys aren't bigger or better men than me for riding without a helmet - just dumber men. Maybe they'll be better and more virile looking men at 30 in their casket. Live fast, die young and leave a good looking corpse - I thought that crap went out with bell bottoms...

[ACCecil]

My friend, I hear you loud and clear.

I am not equating risking one's life or health to manilness. I m in favor of making the sport safer. It might be new technology for helmets, it might be rule changes, I agree it needs to be done. A big change is already happening because concussions, and possibly concussions, are no longer being ignored. Coaches and trainers are, slowly, changing how they handle these kinds of injuries.

My youngest son was mildly concussed after a freshman game last year. He threw up after the game (a symptom of concussion). But he also had a head cold that day and he didn't have any other symptoms the next day, he was required to go to the trainers and get checked out, that never used to happen in the Butkis, Nitscke days.

He defended a pass in the end zone, sorry for the dad talk, and when the ball came down he had to jump at the receiver and him, the ball and receiver all got there at the same time. The force of the collision sent him backwards and he landed on the back of his head. That was the hit that mildly concussed him. It sucked but that is football and if you don't want to risk those kinds of hits you just simply can't play this sport.

My problem with this proposed rule is it isn't enforceable fairly and it doesn't make sense for the RB not to lead with his helmet, just like Emmit said, when about to be hit. That is exactly what a good RB should do! You can't legislate against that! That is the way the game is played.

[mjbuf05]

My friend, I hear you loud and clear.

I am not equating risking one's life or health to manilness. I m in favor of making the sport safer. It might be new technology for helmets, it might be rule changes, I agree it needs to be done. A big change is already happening because concussions, and possibly concussions, are no longer being ignored. Coaches and trainers are, slowly, changing how they handle these kinds of injuries.

My youngest son was mildly concussed after a freshman game last year. He threw up after the game (a symptom of concussion). But he also had a head cold that day and he didn't have any other symptoms the next day, he was required to go to the trainers and get checked out, that never used to happen in the Butkis, Nitscke days.

He defended a pass in the end zone, sorry for the dad talk, and when the ball came down he had to jump at the receiver and him, the ball and receiver all got there at the same time. The force of the collision sent him backwards and he landed on the back of his head. That was the hit that mildly concussed him. It sucked but that is football and if you don't want to risk those kinds of hits you just simply can't play this sport.

My problem with this proposed rule is it isn't enforceable fairly and it doesn't make sense for the RB not to lead with his helmet, just like Emmit said, when about to be hit. That is exactly what a good RB should do! You can't legislate against that! That is the way the game is played.

This! Well said.

[samit23]

Just part of the dismantling of football. The president has even weighed in on it. If football exists in 25 years, we'll have a hard time recognizing it.

Football won't exist in 25 years if thy don't do something about the head injuries. That is a fact. The changes in rules will ultimately save the game.

Sent from my iPhone using GatorCountry

[socraticsilence]

Football won't exist in 25 years if thy don't do something about the head injuries. That is a fact. The changes in rules will ultimately save the game.

Sent from my iPhone using GatorCountry

This, football is constantly evolving-- look at the way the game has changed at the NFL level since the 90s- thats not odd, its common place- go from the 90s back to the 70s then back to the 50s, to the 30s, etc. The game is always shifting generally to a less compact more spread out, more pass heavy less physical style of play which counters the fact that players are constantly getting larger and faster.

[samit23]

This, football is constantly evolving-- look at the way the game has changed at the NFL level since the 90s- thats not odd, its common place- go from the 90s back to the 70s then back to the 50s, to the 30s, etc. The game is always shifting generally to a less compact more spread out, more pass heavy less physical style of play which counters the fact that players are constantly getting larger and faster.

My point exactly. As much as people whine about recent rules changes, Dick Butkus thinks football of the last 3 decades is a wimp's game.

Sent from my iPhone using GatorCountry

[96Gatorcise]

I do not know if anyone caught Mort's segment on this rule this morning on ESPN. Basically he said the rule is to be enforced on the second level. The rule is not meant when the RB is hitting the hole but when he gets past the LOS and lowers his head to take on an on-coming tackler.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAEiTD9TSqM

this is an example they used in that segment. Watch how TR lowers his head and uses it as a weapon.

[mjbuf05]

The problem is that nobody teaches kids how to tackle. You are never supposed to use your helmet to tackle. If these players want to go for the big hit instead of tacking properly then they get what they get.

[Spurffelbow833]

The situations for which this rule is intended are those where the stiff-arm should be used instead. I have no problem with this rule.

[Welshgator]

http://www.icsmmblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/flag-football.jpg

That should be a penalty, blatantly pulling the ribbon off.

[Tipmoose]

Quit trying to interject facts and logic. If you're not willing to risk lifelong injury and an early demise for sport you're just a puss...

Tough chit. Life aint fair. Don't like it? Don't play the game.

[tec68]

I guess we should fire Muschamp because his pounding the football ways will not last much longer.

Tell Matt Jones, Mack Brown, Kelvin Taylor, and Adam Lane to quit leading with their heads and make sure you just bounce around people.

Less contact the better.

[The_Graygator]

http://www.icsmmblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/flag-football.jpg

That poor little puppy who couldn't clear the hedge. :laugh:

I love dogs.

[wygator]

To take on a tackler and win, the running back goes into a forward lean to add to the force of the hit. The running back lowering his head is shifting his body momentum forward. The only way for a running back to avoid lowering his head is to run upright. That would make him even more of a target.

[geauxgator1]

To take on a tackler and win, the running back goes into a forward lean to add to the force of the hit. The running back lowering his head is shifting his body momentum forward. The only way for a running back to avoid lowering his head is to run upright. That would make him even more of a target.

Exactly, this is a stupid proposal. I don't even suspect that these types of collisions (between RB's and LB's and DB's) result in many injuries anyway.

[96Gatorcise]

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/the_hidden_brain/2011/01/the_national_braindamage_league.html
In collisions, "G" is a unit equal to the force of gravity. A low-speed rear-end crash causes an impact of 10G to 30G. A high-flying soccer ball lands on your head with a force of around 20G. Then there's the high-school football player who, according to a recent evaluation by Purdue researchers, received a blow to the head during a game that carried a force of 289G—nearly 300 times the force of gravity.

Nauman and his colleagues wanted to compare changes in the brains of football players who had suffered concussions with the "normal" brains of football players who were concussion-free. But when they scanned the concussion-free players a few weeks into the season and compared these pictures to the same players' preseason scans, they found that many had long-lasting brain changes.

Nauman and other researchers aren't exactly sure what is happening to these players. But they believe that what we call concussions are only one of several kinds of head injury that affect players' verbal ability, memory, and "vestibular system," which controls spatial orientation and balance. Many of the hits that produce "shell-shock" concussions involve blows to the side of the head, as happens with helmet-to-helmet collisions in the open field. The new group of injured players—the ones without visible injury—had suffered damage to the frontal lobe, the part of the brain that controls high-end "executive functioning."
"These seem to result from repetitive blows to the top-front of the head," Nauman told me in an e-mail. "Most common when players lead with their heads to block or tackle. The challenge is that we don't really have sideline tests that can evaluate visual working memory or impulse control. So it is very hard to find the players in this group. Our fear is that they go undiagnosed, keep playing, and accumulate more and more damage."

[PIMking]

as fans we find these types of changes disheartening but if something is not done to limit concussions, acute brain injuries and chronic brain injuries from repeated blows the game will disappear anyway. Parents will stop letting their kids play football which over time, will shrink the pool of available players

No it won't. Parents still see this as a meal ticket

Just have the players sign a waiver before every contract stating that they know the possibilities of a brain injury

[geauxgator1]

The game has never been more popular, I doubt that the game does anything but continue to grow. I suspect these issues are as much political as anything. Some people just don't like football for whatever the reason and will try to derail the game anyway that they can.

[96Gatorcise]

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/football-high/attention-players-parents-coaches/

Last year, research showed that Owen Thomas, the 21-year-old captain of the University of Pennsylvania football team who committed suicide in April 2010, was in the early stages of CTE. He had never been diagnosed with a concussion.

http://www.time.com/time/video/player/0,32068,64253995001_1957921,00.html

good 9 min video

[96Gatorcise]

http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-10-24/sports/35498322_1_youth-football-youth-league-roger-goodell

While USA Football, the sport’s national governing body, estimates 3 million children participate in youth football across the country, at least one study, conducted by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, a Silver Spring-based trade association, found an 11 percent decline in tackle football’s “core” participation the past three years.

Participation dropping

A tour of the youth football leagues in the Washington area shows some justification for the commissioner’sconcern.

The Lower Loudoun Boys Football League, which plays in the one of fastest-growing counties in the nation, is down at least 100 players and has eliminated five teams. In Fairfax, the youth league has seen a nearly 10 percent drop in registration figures, falling from 6,700 players in 2010 to 6,034 this fall. The biggest decreases are among entry-level teams that feature younger players; the “anklebiters,” 75-pound and 85-pound weight classes, have lost a total of 35 teams in three years.

While the Rockville Football League’s overall participation numbers are unchanged, the league’s organizers have seen losses in the youngest age groups. “If anything is going to hurt youth football, that’s what will hurt,” said Eric Hechman, the league president. “That’s the lifeblood.”

here’s a natural churn in youth sports. As children and teens graduate to new interests and activities, the challenge for leagues and teams is replacing them. While tackle football lost 25 percent of its participants in 2010, it added only 11 percent new players, according to the trade association survey, a net loss of 14 percent.

Hechman has watched many of his players in Rockville switch to lacrosse, also a physical sport but one that hasn’t seen the same level of scrutiny as football. While youth football participation has fallen around the Washington area — or at best, held steady — Bethesda Lacrosse reports its participation numbers have more than doubled in the past five years.

[96Gatorcise]

http://www.brainpads.com/images/stories/20060921_101017_concussionfoot092206_500_bpd.jpg

[acegator]

Just put cute little ribbons attached with velcro to their waists and be done with it. Also, eliminate all line play and make the opposing non-line-backers have to count out loud to 5 mississippi before they get to rush the opposing QB.

This is freaking RIDICULOUS.

Please don't be ridiculous! Everyone knows that its 3 Mississippi's. Also they will have to yell "Kickn or Stickn on 4th down." :laugh:

[Tipmoose]

Please don't be ridiculous! Everyone knows that its 3 Mississippi's. Also they will have to yell "Kickn or Stickn on 4th down." :laugh:

Are you insane? With the speed and athleticism of today's players, the 3 Mississippi rule is a disaster waiting to happen. There is just not enough time for the QB to avoid the rush and make it through his progressions to hit his receiver. You're practically begging for him to have his ribbons pulled off and have to face the shame associated with being sacked in front of his teammates. Imagine the horrible impact that would have on him, no matter how large his participation trophy is at the end of the season. And this doesn't even begin to address the risk of a twisted ankle or sprained knee while he tries, in vain, to avoid the behemoths charging towards his ribbons. It would take someone with the spinning ability of Baryshnikov to avoid being sacked under those circumstances. Its made even worse when you have one guy playing all-time QB.

Please, for the sake of our CHILDREN...rethink your obviously reckless plan of allowing a 3 Mississippi rule. Its just not SAFE.

[LimeyGator]

I've got a strong feeling on this: pro athletes know the risks and love the game. It's no good crying afterwards. The majority live a life of luxury that I could only dream about.

I honestly read a story in the paper the other day about a woman in her 40s who tripped over on the pavement, banged her head and suffered a serious head trauma. She died very tragically a couple of weeks later. At the risk of sounding callous, nobody could have protected her from this - these rule changes are akin to proposing that this local council get rid of pavements and replace them with cotton wool or something...

There is risk in everything. Managing risk is fine but I get the impression these changes are part of a step towards trying to eliminate it. It's not possible.

Simple solution remains this: there is an increased risk to your health playing professional football. Accept it and decide what you will do. But if you do it, don't complain afterwards about the consequences if you didn't complain at the time.

[GatorLaw]

. . . Another side note- the chiro takes care of many of the local athletes around Tampa. One day Warrick Dunn was in his office and I got to meet him. His speech was slow and gaze a little off. Had a little trouble putting things together. . . .

Slow speech, gazed off into space, had trouble putting things together? That's not because of playing football, that's normal for FSU people.