Surprising study from Cleveland Clinic.

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/11/cleveland_clinic_study_shows_m.html

Surprising study from Cleveland Clinic.

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/11/cleveland_clinic_study_shows_m.html

 

I'm sticking with my prediction that within 10 years, kids won't be wearing helmets at all, or if any, soft ones without facemasks. Quite a bit less likely to go flying in there without a helmet. May increase broken noses and jaws, but I'll take those over brain damage every day.

I'm sticking with my prediction that within 10 years, kids won't be wearing helmets at all, or if any, soft ones without facemasks. Quite a bit less likely to go flying in there without a helmet. May increase broken noses and jaws, but I'll take those over brain damage every day.

 

I've heard discussion of this theory and it has some validity IMO.

 

We still have too many coaches that through lack of education do not know what is safe and what is not as far as head injuries. Note: I'm not blaming coaches. I'm just saying that they haven't received the necessary education in most cases.

I'm sticking with my prediction that within 10 years, kids won't be wearing helmets at all, or if any, soft ones without facemasks. Quite a bit less likely to go flying in there without a helmet. May increase broken noses and jaws, but I'll take those over brain damage every day.

I tend to agree. What started as protection (helmets, pads, face masks) have developed into weaponry. I wish helmets could be made to be soft on the outside. I also think there should be a limit on how large shoulder pads can be, that is, the more they conform to true shoulder size, the better.

If you know anything about rugby, there was no padding (until the recent past when some shoulder protection was allowed) yet there were far fewer injuries IMO than in "gridiron" football. The less padding, the better, and I think the football rules-makers can take care of the rest so as to make the sport safer. I shudder when I see those NFL'ers go at each other full speed with all that equipment.

What is the ratio of head injuries to American Football players v. rugby players? Every rugby player that I have spoken to talked about how proper tackling techique is drilled as much as proper pitching.

What is the ratio of head injuries to American Football players v. rugby players? Every rugby player that I have spoken to talked about how proper tackling techique is drilled as much as proper pitching.

 

Tough to find but I did find someone who cited some studies that said in 1999 a study found there were 9.5 concussions per 1,000 players for rugby vs a 2003 study that said there were between 54 and 76 per 1,000 for football.

It is mandatory today for hockey players in the NHL to wear helmets and the concussions are on the rise. Back in the "original 6 days" helmets were not worn and the concussions were few and far between. I think respect for one's own body as well as others is diminished with the addiitonal head protection.

It is mandatory today for hockey players in the NHL to wear helmets and the concussions are on the rise. Back in the "original 6 days" helmets were not worn and the concussions were few and far between. I think respect for one's own body as well as others is diminished with the addiitonal head protection.

 

I understand the point of your post, but you have to remember how much better we are at diagnosing concussions today than back then.

I tend to agree. What started as protection (helmets, pads, face masks) have developed into weaponry. I wish helmets could be made to be soft on the outside. I also think there should be a limit on how large shoulder pads can be, that is, the more they conform to true shoulder size, the better.

If you know anything about rugby, there was no padding (until the recent past when some shoulder protection was allowed) yet there were far fewer injuries IMO than in "gridiron" football. The less padding, the better, and I think the football rules-makers can take care of the rest so as to make the sport safer. I shudder when I see those NFL'ers go at each other full speed with all that equipment.

 

Have you ever watched an Austrailian Rules Football game? ZERO PADS!!!!!! Those guys take some serious hits!

My Dad played college ball in the late 40's and eary 50's. Dad had used the leather helmet for 3 yrs . He was one the first players to get a suspension plastic helmet because his head was huge and the leather helmets were too small. He always said that head injuries and knee injuries increased as a result of the hardshell helmet. Dad said the helmet had become a weapon on the field.