The topic of head injuries in the NFL has never been more prevalent.
Research has been brought to light, Congress has tackled the subject and John Madden has a committee that will make recommendations to the league on ways to reduce the effects of concussions.
The list of former football players that are suffering long-term brain damage is growing.
But where do we draw the line? What changes can be made that won’t take away from the physical nature of the sport? Here are some suggestions that have come up:
1. Taking off the helmets » Although helmets are worn to reduce injury, they also increase the amount of contact to the head. A game without helmets will never happen, but headgear may be limited in practices. But would the reduction of contact in training adequately prepare players for the pounding they encounter during games?
2. Looking at recovery time » Running back Brian Westbrook raced back to play for the Eagles on Sunday only to suffer his second concussion in three weeks. Players are evaluated after head injuries, but there always remains a possibility of a reoccurrence. The variance in the severity of concussions makes it difficult to have a concrete guideline for head injuries. All concussions must be addressed on an individual basis. Hopefully with more research, there will be a more accurate timetable for proper recovery.
3. Rule changes » It’s not fun to watch a defensive lineman get penalized for simply tackling a quarterback, but there is a purpose to those yellow flags. Quarterbacks are arguably the most defenseless players and it’s not unlikely to see careers end due to excessive head injuries — Troy Aikman and Steve Young. But with defenders already being limited by not contacting anywhere near a quarterback’s head or knees, it’s hard to imagine even more rule changes without just putting the NFL’s poster boys in a non-contact red jersey.
There is no definitive answer as to how the NFL should address the issues with concussion, but it’s refreshing to see how commissioner Roger Goodell is attacking this problem. Let’s just hope Madden and crew can find a way to make football safer without taking away from the game we love to watch every Sunday.
