Casualties Of The Gridiron - Sad side of football

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hungan1

hungan1

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This may slightly off-topic, but I think it is a must see for all football players and coaches about the long term effects of concussion and other injuries incurred while playing football.

You worry about former Gopher players like Marion Barber III and the effects of concussions that he has sustained while playing football.

You can watch several episodes on Youtube.

http://casualtiesofthegridiron.com/

Episode 2: Former Vikings Brent Boyd & Others: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQhUpmGTfQc

Finally, Dr. Focazio & others in the PAST Medical Group are doing pro bono work to help some of these players that are hurting.

I think the scary think that former Jets QB Ray Lucas said is that expect to see dramatic increase of players that will be needing help from PAST.
 

Not off topic IMO. It begs the question about the future of football in general. Unless someone develops a miracle helmet and other protective equipment or perhaps rule changes to prevent such injuries, will this be the ultimate downfall of the sport? Scary stuff!
 

If you want to reduce concussions, get rid of the hard helmuts.

Concussions will happen, but the hard hats make players feel invisible so they lead with their heads. You watch games from before the hard hat and linemen used their hands and rarely smacked heads, safeties didn't dive head first into piles and players defended themselves on contact rather than launching themselves into the contact.

I know it will never happen...the other option is to drastically change the game and then who would want to watch it?
 

GopherinPhilly said:
If you want to reduce concussions, get rid of the hard helmuts.

Concussions will happen, but the hard hats make players feel invisible so they lead with their heads. You watch games from before the hard hat and linemen used their hands and rarely smacked heads, safeties didn't dive head first into piles and players defended themselves on contact rather than launching themselves into the contact.

I know it will never happen...the other option is to drastically change the game and then who would want to watch it?
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It's actually the facemask that gives the false security. HBO has a "State of Play" that is pretty good on the topic. Keep penalizing, ejecting, and fining and it will get better. It will always be part of the game.
 

MNGoldenGophers1 said:
Not off topic IMO. It begs the question about the future of football in general. Unless someone develops a miracle helmet and other protective equipment or perhaps rule changes to prevent such injuries, will this be the ultimate downfall of the sport? Scary stuff!
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All need to be done. I believe that tackle football should be banned at ages below the 8th grade. Flag teaches fundamentals and blocking and tackling can be better taught when kids are old enough to understand. Moms need to be convinced the game can be safe.
 


Actually adding a soft layer like leather or something to the outside may help quite a bit.
 


hungan1 said:
College football should embrace John Gagliardi's coaching philosophy. He was winning with limited contact practices. Guess what he retired as the winningest coach in football.

http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2012/09/08/john-gagliardi-football
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I can't speak for practices at the D1 level, but I played D2 in the early 2000s and currently coach at a small high school. Practices have changed dramatically over the last decade. Even at the high school level, outside of preseason tackling drills and scrimmages there is very little contact at our practices. This is two fold, 1) players get beat up enough on Friday nights/Saturday afternoons 2) We want players to be fresh for the games.
 

NFL players are compensated for this risk. There's a reason these guys are paid a lot more money than they could make at a desk job. As far as college players go, they know the risk. Way she goes.
 



kellyleeks said:
NFL players are compensated for this risk. There's a reason these guys are paid a lot more money than they could make at a desk job. As far as college players go, they know the risk. Way she goes.
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Star players like Matt Spaeth & Marion Barber III do get a ton of money if not guaranteed money. But most players in the 53-man roster don't make close to the super stars.

Guys like Brent Boyd and Terry Taoulo end up on the streets homeless or destitute. I am shocked that Ray Lucas needed pro bono help for surgeries otherwise his family could not afford.

There are some players that squander away their earnings living the high life. But, I would think most of them don't do that.

You have to admire former Vikings RB Robert Smith for walking away from a multi-million dollar payday when he retired early. I did remember him saying in a talk show that he wants to be able to play with his kids.

http://www.keloland.com/newsdetail.cfm/robert-smith-walks-away-on-top/?id=9313

The NFL owners made millions out of these guys. They ought to reach out and take care of these guys health-wise.
 

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