Head shots in a solid game of monkey in the middle, jumping ramps with your bike...etc. Also, this just in. Too much exposer to the sun can cause cancer. Better not ever go outside. Yet, beaches are packed. Point of my rant? Every sport has head injury capability, but we still sign our kids up to play. Ever seen a hard charge in basketball, kid get undercut on a lap up, two kids collide in soccer, heading a ball that is going 40 MPH in soccer? Those are shots that affect the brain...but let's pick on football, a sport that is actually trying to protect it's players. When soccer and basketball comes out with a helmet that is mandatory, then I will buy into the fact that we are really concerned with the brain health of our kids.

I guess the hardwood on basketball court wont hurt a kids head who falls head first on it.

Now if they were honest and wanted to talk about knee, hip and shoulder problems I would have sympathy, but they don't. They want to talk about concussions.

 

It reminds me of when you go to your doctors office for a badly twisted ankle, and one of the first thing they ask you is if your a smoker. Whether you are or aren't, what could that possible have to do with a twisted ankle?

Now if they were honest and wanted to talk about knee, hip and shoulder problems I would have sympathy, but they don't. They want to talk about concussions.

 

It reminds me of when you go to your doctors office for a badly twisted ankle, and one of the first thing they ask you is if your a smoker. Whether you are or aren't, what could that possible have to do with a twisted ankle?

 

The issue with concussions and head injury is mental issues and illness that could come with it. It stinks when a kid blows out a knee, but that isn't going to lead a kid to the inability to think and produce in life. We are talking about quality of life.

Now if they were honest and wanted to talk about knee, hip and shoulder problems I would have sympathy, but they don't. They want to talk about concussions.

 

It reminds me of when you go to your doctors office for a badly twisted ankle, and one of the first thing they ask you is if your a smoker. Whether you are or aren't, what could that possible have to do with a twisted ankle?

 

Pain medications, anti-inflammatories, and shady lawyers ready to pounce if something happens and those questions aren't asked.

The issue with concussions and head injury is mental issues and illness that could come with it. It stinks when a kid blows out a knee, but that isn't going to lead a kid to the inability to think and produce in life. We are talking about quality of life.

 

The scary part about concussions isn't the extreme case. It is the depression that they cause. It may not lead you to take your life, but it affects every day interactions.

I thought the guy who did the study was very reasonable. He clearly states his team is not trying to end football and still encourages parents to let them play. He just wants to make the game safer. I have no problem with this.

Also, what are the counts for turf fields vs. grass fields. That whip lash effect from hitting the turf and your head bouncing has to do more damage than hitting grass.

The only way to make it safer is to put flags on everybodys hip and the QB in a different colored jersey. No more tackling/hitting makes for a safe game. Heck while youre at it, make XP's automatic and FG's automatic all while eliminating punt, punt return, KO and KOR since you can get hit during these.

If you can make a better helmet, shoulder pad, knee pad, etc.. go for it. But most of these type of articles have an agenda if you look closely, and no one will ever start out with "I want to see the sport changed so kids have to use flags to avoid injuries, and any helmet to helmet contact is an automatic ejection or forfeit if a coach encourages it.", because if they did we would all say, "WT heck? Are you crazy?" So instead they slow play the issue, appealing to our base need to be logical when making decisions, and saying its "for the kids". They provide information in the lowest light possible to avoid a thorough revue, or plaster you with quite the opposite in a fashion the average layman won't understand. Even if they are unsuccessful in achieving their goal, if they can flood enough information out there over time, it begins to be accepted as gospel without being actually proven science. Feelings as we know are so much more important than facts a lot of times. :jump:

 

I will say again. I played for 20 years, and coached just as long. I have been involved with minor league football and a minor league football hall of fame for the past 23 years. This is not an issue within our community. I am sure there are extreme cases somewhere, but non that I am aware of. If it was I would be the first to report it.

Also, what are the counts for turf fields vs. grass fields. That whip lash effect from hitting the turf and your head bouncing has to do more damage than hitting grass.

 

Read a study years ago that indicated more concussions came via head contact to ground than head to head. Will try to find that article.

The game needs to get safer, but let's not get on our high horse. If we cared about safety so much there would be no ATVS or motorcycles. Baseball players would all wear face masks and all bats would be wood. The list could go on and on.

 

Football is today's target from concussions to abusers. I hope our game survives this media onslaught and comes out better on the other side.

My only question is, how did people who played in only leather helmets ever survive? I want comparisons for former football players to other athletes.

 

Not saying football doesn't cause potential life long problems, but this witch hunt is damaging to the sport, while other sports get a pass.

 

Football is a violent game, no doubt about it. However, all of these studies have come out and so far not many, if any, football players have decided not to go into the draft for health reasons. The same people that will be suing for millions of dollars are signing up to play the game and make millions at, health risks ignored for the time being.

 

At the high school level, I think the damage long term would be much more minimal. Slower players, slower rate of contact, etc. If a parent decides not to let their child play football or a child decides not play football for their health, then so be it. That is their right. In my brief experience, I have noticed that there are alot more long-term benefits to playing football than negative ones.

 

This is getting ridiculous.

My only question is, how did people who played in only leather helmets ever survive? I want comparisons for former football players to other athletes.

 

Not saying football doesn't cause potential life long problems, but this witch hunt is damaging to the sport, while other sports get a pass.

 

Football is a violent game, no doubt about it. However, all of these studies have come out and so far not many, if any, football players have decided not to go into the draft for health reasons. The same people that will be suing for millions of dollars are signing up to play the game and make millions at, health risks ignored for the time being.

 

At the high school level, I think the damage long term would be much more minimal. Slower players, slower rate of contact, etc. If a parent decides not to let their child play football or a child decides not play football for their health, then so be it. That is their right. In my brief experience, I have noticed that there are alot more long-term benefits to playing football than negative ones.

 

This is getting ridiculous.

 

History says football players in the beginning of the sport died on the field of play. So there is no silver bullet on how to prevent injuries.

 

Some, though, think the helmet has evolved into a true weapon instead of a protective device and that has led the game to be more violent. If the head gear is not as strong as it is now the thinking goes that people would use their head much less to tackle. That by itself could contribute to less head and other serious injuries.

I'm going to be honest. Some of you cats aren't making the debate team based on the responses I've read here.