NFL Injuries/Concussions/Etc: Do You Actually Care?

[NDallasRuss]

It's apparent that the league doesn't care about player health and safety. It's just as apparent that the teams don't care. More apparent is that the players don't care about their own health and safety. Let's face it, if they really did, they wouldn't be out there intentionally putting themselves at risk. Rather, they're main concern is that they stay on the field no matter what, and protect their roster spot for as long as possible.

So, my question is: Do you all actually, deep down, if you're being honest, care about player health and safety? Or do you just want to see more of the big collisions that the NFL profited off of for decades?

It's an anonymous poll, so answer however you want. As for me: I'l openly admit that I'm not really concerned with what happens to them. At this point the players know exactly what they're getting into when they choose to play football, and they accept the risks and the long-term costs in exchange for a bunch of money.

 

[RancheroNole]

NFL?
When did they start back?

 

[LesClaypool]

I marked, "Yes."

I don't care about the NFL, itself, at all though. I just don't want to see more Junior Seau's in the future.

 

[321Nole]

I'm more sympathetic to the amateur level players who are incurring the same brain injuries. This issue is a big reason why I think college players should flat out be paid market value.

I think it will be important to keep researching and developing the ability to diagnose CTE in live patients, etc. There are a lot of people who still think they have to get a concussion to get brain damage, and many players aren't really making informed decisions on whether to play or not.

It would be nice if 10 years in the future a player can visit a doctor and get a brain scan showing whether they have early markers of CTE.

 

[F4Gary]

I don't care.

 

[NDallasRuss]

It would be nice if 10 years in the future a player can visit a doctor and get a brain scan showing whether they have early markers of CTE.

I wonder if that would change behaviors and risk tolerances? What if a player went in and had a scan, and the doctor was able to give them a percentage that started at 100, and the number declined as the trauma to their brains accumulated over time? I wonder how much of a drop would scare a player into quitting? Or would they find ways to rationalize that "75% isn't so bad - that's still 3/4!", or "55% is still more than half!"?

 

[QuaZ2002]

I’d like to see more studies on the post career lives of football players. I realize there have been some suicides and guys who have spoken out about losing their memory or being in constant pain, but what percent have those symtptoms. It’s not like half of all former NFL players are dead at age 50 or they’re all demented cripples by that age. As long as they know the risks and the league continues fo emphasize less hits to the head I don’t have some weird moral conundrum with watching.

 

[RunRonnieRun]

I'm in the "want them safe but like the big hits" group. Like others, I'm more concerned about the college players and younger than the NFL players.

 

[GwinnettNole]

Good poll. The question really hit home for me as I've been on a crusade for safer sports as I've seen/read the stories about players contracting CTE via the constant sub-concussive hits. First, football became my favorite sport in the 90's-- FSUs run. Even back then I knew the game was violent but as long as they had helmets on it protected the brain (so I thought). The research done by the Boston University is cutting edge (http://www.bu.edu/cte/) and we all know now the violent nature of how football played effects the brain. I'll go one step further-- if basic action is part of the play that causes head trauma (soccer and heading) by the nature of how the sport is played then I question if the game should be played (for my kids). Call me what you want.....

If someone ends up with a busted knee where they can no longer walk that is one thing. But when you impact the brain then that is different than a limp for the rest of ones life. The brain is like jello. It won't repair itself.

This issue really is deeper than the NFL. It starts at pee-wee football. I see the comments about NFL, but jeez the head injuries start at lowest levels.

Its like a modern day gladiator. And it isn't good. Its no longer my favorite sport. I still watch because even I will admit that verdict is not sealed yet. Could it be specifically related to someone's genetics? Perhaps.

I received Benett Omalu's (CTE founder) book for Christmas. And am about halfway through. He is a wonderful person in my opinion. I won't let my kids play football-- they play basketball, baseball, and no heading soccer. As time goes on I hope we become smart about what our kids play. If this impacts the future of football it is what it is.

 

[Bartdog]

I’d like to see more studies on the post career lives of football players. I realize there have been some suicides and guys who have spoken out about losing their memory or being in constant pain, but what percent have those symtptoms. It’s not like half of all former NFL players are dead at age 50 or they’re all demented cripples by that age. As long as they know the risks and the league continues fo emphasize less hits to the head I don’t have some weird moral conundrum with watching.

This is what I was thinking. The players are taking a risk. It's not a certainty one way or the other. They are taking a calculated risk with a very high potential reward.

ps - I voted "yes." This doesn't mean I want the game to change. Maybe I voted wrong. The question was "do you care." Maybe it should have been "Do you care enough to change the game drastically?"

 

[GwinnettNole]

I'm more sympathetic to the amateur level players who are incurring the same brain injuries. This issue is a big reason why I think college players should flat out be paid market value.

I think it will be important to keep researching and developing the ability to diagnose CTE in live patients, etc. There are a lot of people who still think they have to get a concussion to get brain damage, and many players aren't really making informed decisions on whether to play or not.

It would be nice if 10 years in the future a player can visit a doctor and get a brain scan showing whether they have early markers of CTE.

The good news is for the first time (I think a month ago or so) they were able to identify CTE in a living patient. Lets hope the researchers continue to be able to diagnose this early...

 

[SoddyNole]

The problems football players have not effected me to the extent of seeing Ali with the Parkinson's disease and boxing. Probably one of the bigger reasons boxing is not longer a must see for me and has lost some its luster over the years. With football I still believe there may be a chance to lesson some of the impact with technique and better equipment.

 

[SeaPA]

I'm in the "want them safe but like the big hits" group. Like others, I'm more concerned about the college players and younger than the NFL players.

This is where I am, too

 

[SeaPA]

The problems football players have not effected me to the extent of seeing Ali with the Parkinson's disease and boxing. Probably one of the bigger reasons boxing is not longer a must see for me and has lost some its luster over the years. With football I still believe there may be a chance to lesson some of the impact with technique and better equipment.

I think it's more likely to lessen the risk by lowering the quality of the equipment - providing minimal protection/cushion for the guy delivering the blow. Human instinct would make a defender slow down if the blow is gonna hurt like heck.

 

[NDallasRuss]

I think it's more likely to lessen the risk by lowering the quality of the equipment - providing minimal protection/cushion for the guy delivering the blow. Human instinct would make a defender slow down if the blow is gonna hurt like heck.

Isn't this the argument with rugby vs football? Rugby players supposedly suffer fewer brain injuries because the lack of helmets results in the players not leading with their heads? Whereas football players are made to feel (mistakenly) invulnerable because of the big, thick, protective helmets?

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

I'm a soft yes. I don't want my kids to play but don't care if others decide to. No philosophical issue with watching football.

I never watch boxing though. I wouldn't favor banning it but do hope it just fades away at some point.

 

[GwinnettNole]

Isn't this the argument with rugby vs football? Rugby players supposedly suffer fewer brain injuries because the lack of helmets results in the players not leading with their heads? Whereas football players are made to feel (mistakenly) invulnerable because of the big, thick, protective helmets?

Rugby has not had an in-depth study for CTE yet (soccer is next on this list). Helmet or not I would have a hard time believing it’s much different than football results. The head jarring, in the scrums alone, leave me to think it’s a matter of time....

 

[DanC78]

I don’t care when it comes to NFL.

I will care when it comes to my kids playing football, if they ever choose to at least.

 

[LesClaypool]

I don’t care when it comes to NFL.

I will care when it comes to my kids playing football, if they ever choose to at least.

So you would let them? Or you mean that’s when you’ll start worrying about the question?

I have a daughter, but if I had a son, i don’t think I would’ve let him play. Never know for sure though.

 

[DanC78]

So you would let them? Or you mean that’s when you’ll start worrying about the question?

I have a daughter, but if I had a son, i don’t think I would’ve let him play. Never know for sure though.

I should rephrase I guess. I don’t want to see anyone hurt or to have long term brain damage. But it’s not my decision to put on the helmet and go play, the players can elect not to play, so if they don’t care, I don’t care.

I will let my son play, but I don’t see him being any good, so I’m not too worried.

If he plays in high school then I may worry.