rfk Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 Is it possible that the NFL can be made safe and yet still as compelling to watch as it is now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CodeMonkey Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 Is it possible that the NFL can be made safe and yet still as compelling to watch as it is now? No. What makes it compelling to people is the level of violence and players flying at each other with reckless abandon. If you take the intensity of the violence away from the game there isn't enough left to interest people. You can see it already with the complaining with the current "pussification" of the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfk Posted November 29, 2014 Author Share Posted November 29, 2014 People get pretty crazy with soccer.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallskiWallski83 Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 I dont see crab fisherman complaining about drowning on the job I dont see factory workers complaining about getting their extremeties getting maimed from industrial accidents NFL players get paid 100x more than the average person to play a game. They know the risks involved with repetitive blows to the head...If you decide its not worth it, you can always walk away and pick up a normal job like anyone else on this message board. I hate how in our society the NFL and this concussion issue is hot button of conversation, when worker related injuries and DEATHS have been going on for centuries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfk Posted November 30, 2014 Author Share Posted November 30, 2014 I suspect that anybody who works has some concern for their own well being no matter what that work involves. Workers apply for Disability and Compensation all the time and there are always lawyers ready to sue for unsafe working conditions that cause injury and death. NFL players are in the media spotlight and the issue is not going away. I have to think that as time goes on, any exceptional athlete with half a brain is going to consider other less dangerous professional sports to play. Sorry, you'll have to enjoy your maiming and such at work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wiz Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 People get pretty crazy with soccer.. The fans are more violent than the players with their rivalries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfk Posted November 30, 2014 Author Share Posted November 30, 2014 I'd prefer to see more fan concussions and less player injuries...Nothing like getting waked with a Guinness bottle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainwampus Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 How about all players start wearing Kelso style helmet caps as standard equipment? I haven't heard any any compelling arguments against them, other than looks and durability issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiz Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 Bring leather helmets back. Seriously, they won't be able to use them as weapons.Players would have to go back to fundamental blocking and tackling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sodbuster Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 Bring leather helmets back. Seriously, they won't be able to use them as weapons.Players would have to go back to fundamental blocking and tackling. This is the problem. Players have this great equipment, and it is miles better than anything before, but they think it makes them invincible. You see it all the time with drivers who have 4WD or AWD and think they can drive 65 in a snowstorm. Then they wonder how they ended up in a ditch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papazoid Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 if "safe" means zero brain injuries.....the answer is NO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GG Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 A serious question needs to be answered in why are there far higher instances of CTE in players who came into the league in the '80s vs previous eras. The game itself didn't change, but the players and the equipment did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pondslider Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 This is the problem. Players have this great equipment, and it is miles better than anything before, but they think it makes them invincible. You see it all the time with drivers who have 4WD or AWD and think they can drive 65 in a snowstorm. Then they wonder how they ended up in a ditch. Get rid of all the equipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 No. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FluffHead Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 Football at its core cannot be totally safe however It's already been made much safer. Problem is you won't realize it until today's players are in their 50s and older and aren't having the same problems at the same frequency. Bring leather helmets back. Seriously, they won't be able to use them as weapons.Players would have to go back to fundamental blocking and tackling. People say this all the time but you can bet knees to the face and elbows to the temple cause the same damage. A serious question needs to be answered in why are there far higher instances of CTE in players who came into the league in the '80s vs previous eras. The game itself didn't change, but the players and the equipment did. PEDs rampant for the first time as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfk Posted November 30, 2014 Author Share Posted November 30, 2014 With the weight training, nutrition, equipment, and painkillers these guys have been turned into weapons and victims..What about the Canadians ....do they have the same outcomes. I'm glad my Grandsons play Soccer i loves me some bone crunching tackles but.... Perhaps naked football is the answer.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorkington Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 Even "non contact" sports like basketball have life long consequences for players. Might not be depression, but hobbled by leg and back injuries, all too often. It's the price of playing sports for a career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jmsbills Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 No it's a violent game at an incredible pace with world class athletes. By the time most veteran players retire they have played the game for over 20-25 years. The head/brain injuries and consequences will always be there. If players start to retire by the age 28-30 - which will not happen - you may see a significant reduction in the number to these types of injuries. But we all know the almighty DOLLAR is more important. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Gun Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 No it's a violent game at an incredible pace with world class athletes. By the time most veteran players retire they have played the game for over 20-25 years. The head/brain injuries and consequences will always be there. If players start to retire by the age 28-30 - which will not happen - you may see a significant reduction in the number to these types of injuries. But we all know the almighty DOLLAR is more important. Yep, no helmet will ever be able to stop concussions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpberr Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 Safer, I'm not sure. I do think the NFL as a private business has to think up something innovative to handle the health care needs of its players proactively after retirement. Something akin to a pension for health care - an untouchable sum of money that's built by both player and league contribution that the player can use after retirement solely for their health care needs. Or in the year or two after retirement, the NFL paying for what I'd call post-career conditioning in helping players, especially offensive linemen, shed weight, eat right, get off the PEDs, etc. so retired players get started off in retirement on the right track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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