New safety rule proposal for NFL RBs. Emmitt Smith says NFL has lost its mind

[Deberg_1990]

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2013/03/14/emmitt-smith-says-new-safety-rule-means-nfl-has-lost-its-mind/



The NFL is changing its rules to prevent ball-carriers from initiating contact with the crown of the helmet.

It’s an attempt to make the game safer – but the league’s all-time leading rusher, Emmitt Smith, thinks the NFL should have its own head examined.

“If I’m a running back and I’m running into a linebacker, you’re telling me I have to keep my head up so he can take my chin off?’’ Smith said Thursday in an exclusive interview with Dallas radio station 105.3 The Fan. “You’ve absolutely lost your mind.’’

The NFL’s rules-making competition committee will propose this change to NFL owners at league meetings next week. At least 24 votes from 32 owners are required for passage.

“As a running back, it’s almost impossible (to not lower your head),’’ said the Dallas Cowboys legend. “The first thing you do is get behind your shoulder pads. That means you’re leaning forward and the first part of contact that’s going to take place is your head, regardless.

“I disagree with the rule altogether. It doesn’t make any sense for that position. It sounds like it’s been made up by people who have never played the game of football.’’

It is the league’s view that the crown of the helmet is dangerous for both the defender (who isn’t allowed to use the technique against ball-carriers) and the player with the ball. The competition committee is clearly seeking extra protection for defenders.

“That’s part of the game,’’ Smith said of “the violent part of the game … I don’t know how you’re going to be able to enforce that rule without really jeopardizing the integrity of the game itself. ‘’

Smith, who helped the Cowboys to three Super Bowl titles and in his 15 NFL seasons amassed a record 18,355 rushing yards, believes the league’s effort “makes the ref’s job, that’s already hard, even tougher. There’s no way in the world a running back is not going to be able to avoid contact without leading with his head first. … If this is truly what the NFL is trying to get after and they’re calling that ‘defenseless’, it’s so subjective that it doesn’t make any sense. That’s one rule that absolutely does not make sense. ‘’

[Hammock Parties]

fuck this rule

http://stream1.gifsoup.com/webroot/animatedgifs1/1225465_o.gif

[Direckshun]

Emmitt Smith done said the NFL had loss its mine.

[chiefzilla1501]

What the fuck good has Goodall done.with anything.

Want to make the game safer? Make players wear specific equipment and make that decision asked on safety, not based on which supplier provides the best sweetheart deal.

[Rasputin]

Roger Goodell knows what it is like because he played pee wee football.

Now he is trying to make it as tough as pee wee football.

[Rasputin]

Just change the name to NFFL National Flag Football League.

[Dayze]

What the **** good has Goodall done.with anything.

Want to make the game safer? Make players wear specific equipment and make that decision asked on safety, not based on which supplier provides the best sweetheart deal.

and or, eliminate the other injury causing aspects. like cut-blocks.

it's a dog and pony show for the NFL to cover its' ass from future lawsuits IMO

[In58men]

They talked about this on Monday.

Been around for awhile I assume

[CoMoChief]

You guys realize they're doing all of this now because the NFL is getting ready to be sued out the ass for this concussion stuff right?

[Lzen]

I wish Roger Goodell would go bye bye. :shake:

[Deberg_1990]

You guys realize they're doing all of this now because the NFL is getting ready to be sued out the ass for this concussion stuff right?

Its all just so silly......ex-players who are sueing are trying to have their cake and eat it too.

How do you want it? Its a violent game. There is not much the NFL can do to make things safer without changing the integrity of the game. It would just be a completely different game.

If you dont want to risk a shorter lifespan, go find a different line of work.

[Vietnam58]

This is a horrid rule but if they have the rule for defenders its only right they have the same rule for the offensive players. . both rules suck as does the NFL lately

pretty soon the only legal tackle will be an arm tackle and the Chiefs will have the number 1 defense in the NFL

[DaKCMan AP]

Its all just so silly......ex-players who are sueing are trying to have their cake and eat it too.

How do you want it? Its a violent game. There is not much the NFL can do to make things safer without changing the integrity of the game. It would just be a completely different game.

If you dont want to risk a shorter lifespan, go find a different line of work.

This.

The problem is if the NFL has hidden injury information/risks in the past. For current/future players, however, they HAVE to know the risks.

[Molitoth]

I hate the NFL more and more every year.

[jimw51]

I am with Smith

[Planetman]

Every running play = a flag.

[stevieray]

This is a horrid rule but if they have the rule for defenders its only right they have the same rule for the offensive players. . both rules suck as does the NFL lately

pretty soon the only legal tackle will be an arm tackle and the Chiefs will have the number 1 defense in the NFL
:LOL:

[Bump]

nm

[Ming the Merciless]

I am with smith....let the ball carrier do whats best for them........what the fuck is the NFL thinking messing with a great product

[Demonpenz]

The NFL should make it illegal for any player to fall down.

[GoChargers]

Fuck Roger Goodell. That sanctimonious prick is ruining the NFL more and more with each half-baked rule change just so HE can avoid a lawsuit.

When are the owners going to get fed up with this selfish clown? I realize the excuse is that the NFL has been extremely profitable under Goodell, but you could put a 2-year-old in charge of the NFL and still turn insane profits.

[Shox]

I predicted a year ago the NFL has reached it's peak and interest in the game has started to decline. These type of rules will ruin it. 5 years from now, other than a handful of teams, stadiums will not be full.

[notorious]

Roger Goodell is not the enemy. He works for the owners. Rip them.

[Easy 6]

I hate goodells stinking guts, he is absolutely killing the game... lets hope this proposal dies a miserable death.

[Ace Gunner]

I hate the NFL more and more every year.

me too. I'm darn near finished watching pussyball.

[mikey23545]

The new NFL uniform:


http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/2280/michelinman.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/4/michelinman.jpg/)

[Ace Gunner]

Roger Goodell is not the enemy. He works for the owners. Rip them.

so the owners told goodell to destroy the patriotgate tape.

[Mr. Laz]

This isn't Goodell ... this is the owners and competition committee trying to protect themselves from the player's lawsuit.

That and trying to not have a generation of kids stopped from playing football because their parents don't want them hurt.

[Easy 6]

When a running back is no longer allowed to truck a defender... just disband the whole ****ing thing, because its NOT football anymore.

[Ace Gunner]

When a running back is no longer allowed to truck a defender... just disband the whole ****ing thing, because its NOT football anymore.

indeed. somebody needs to tackle goodell while leading with his head. fucking mickeymouse moneygrubbing idiot.

[milkman]

I am no fan of Roger Goodell, but the outrage directed to him is misguided and stupid.

You want to blame someone for these rules, blame the retired players who were apparently too stupid to recognize the risks of playing a violent sport.

[BlackHelicopters]

Fo shizzle, rizzle?

[KurtCobain]

I am no fan of Roger Goodell, but the outrage directed to him is misguided and stupid.

You want to blame someone for these rules, blame the retired players who were apparently too stupid to recognize the risks of playing a violent sport.

Too stupid because of brain damage, of course.

[alpha_omega]

You guys realize they're doing all of this now because the NFL is getting ready to be sued out the ass for this concussion stuff right?

Winner.

[KChiefs1]

**** this rule

http://stream1.gifsoup.com/webroot/animatedgifs1/1225465_o.gif

Campbell should have had a 15 yard penalty & thrown out of the game!

[KChiefs1]

The new NFL uniform:


http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/2280/michelinman.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/4/michelinman.jpg/)

Sweet!

[tk13]

It's just the way it's going to be. Especially as more and more studies show that most of these guys have suffered brain damage. Goodell has to battle the impending lawsuits, the fear that more parents will turn their kids away from football... meanwhile trying to find a way to push the season to 18 games. You wonder if head contact will even be allowed in 15 years.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

The NFL should make it illegal for any player to fall down.

lmao
Posted via Mobile Device

[jAZ]

I'm so sick of people bitching about rule changes. The game is going to change because it's been revealed that it's really f*cking people up. And the league is on the hook financially for massive amounts of money because of that damage. I have no idea if this particular rule is going to help, and perhaps its going to end up not being approved or not working. But can we get over the bitching about the efforts to fix the game and complaining that it's changing.

[jAZ]

... the fear that more parents will turn their kids away from football...

It's not merely a fear.

http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/smartnews/2012/10/five-kid-concussions-in-one-game-has-parents-questioning-pop-warner-football/

It's a near certainty unless something changes.

[Valiant]

I think it is absolute bs. But. If they pass these others stupid rules they need to add this one to balance it out. Maybe a new league will form. And they go back to leather helmets and pads. Ala rugby. KC might win something then.

[bowener]

I wish Roger Goodell would go bye bye. :shake:

At $29million a year I doubt he goes anywhere.

[HMc]

eliminate helmets altogether. You don't see this head as a weapon shit in rugby because people tend to be protective of their heads. Give a guy a helmet, whether he's on a bicycle, skiing, playing football or whatever, and he suddenly thinks he's invincible.

[SPATCH]

eliminate helmets altogether. You don't see this head as a weapon shit in rugby because people tend to be protective of their heads. Give a guy a helmet, whether he's on a bicycle, skiing, playing football or whatever, and he suddenly thinks he's invincible.

Exactly what I was thinking.

I was trying to envision an NFL without helmet-initiated contact and all I can see is awkward rugby tackles. Rugby players let off the gas just a bit before they initiate contact; same thing would happen in the NFL. Truly full speed collisions could be eradicated from the league almost entirely.

Sad.

[tk13]

It's not merely a fear.

http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/smartnews/2012/10/five-kid-concussions-in-one-game-has-parents-questioning-pop-warner-football/

It's a near certainty unless something changes.

One of the doctors involved in the Boston U. study that helped get the ball rolling on all of this has already said kids under 14 shouldn't play football.

[Earthling]

eliminate helmets altogether. You don't see this head as a weapon shit in rugby because people tend to be protective of their heads. Give a guy a helmet, whether he's on a bicycle, skiing, playing football or whatever, and he suddenly thinks he's invincible.

This. :thumb:

[jAZ]

One of the doctors involved in the Boston U. study that helped get the ball rolling on all of this has already said kids under 14 shouldn't play football.

I was at a summer camp fair today and was going from table to table. I walked by the football league table and started talking to the guy getting information and realized that I wasn't planning on introducing football to my son and had no reason to to talking to him. So I started getting impatient and looking around to see if my son was going to wander over and start asking about it.

I'm genuinely disappointed as a father because I have always planned to coach my son in little league football. But that's not going to happen. Basketball it is.

[acesn8s]

If the NFL really wanted to stop the players from using the crown of their helmet they should have the players wear the same head gear as boxers. It will prevent the jaw from having the side to side action that causes unconsciousness from severe blows. Additionally, the tops are exposed to discourage the players from dropping their head.

[notorious]

Wow, kids are getting concussions in Pop-Warner? WTF?


I have been involved in some fairly massive shots through Jr High and HS, (giving and receiving) and never got a concussion. I guess I am just lucky.

[Easy 6]

eliminate helmets altogether. You don't see this head as a weapon shit in rugby because people tend to be protective of their heads. Give a guy a helmet, whether he's on a bicycle, skiing, playing football or whatever, and he suddenly thinks he's invincible.

But then it would become rugby, and this isn't rugby.

[Valiant]

But then it would become rugby, and this isn't rugby.

Really? Were we advocating getting rid of passing and all the other aspects? Football here originally used leather, it would be going back to its roots if anything and making the game safer..

[Mav]

Wow, kids are getting concussions in Pop-Warner? WTF?


I have been involved in some fairly massive shots through Jr High and HS, (giving and receiving) and never got a concussion. I guess I am just lucky.

Yeah. I thought the same thing. in high school, i was the gunner on punts, i was the wheel on kickoffs, i set crack downs on lbs, i dont ever recall getting a concussion. Saw stars a couple times. shrugs....who knows

[Easy 6]

Really? Were we advocating getting rid of passing and all the other aspects? Football here originally used leather, it would be going back to its roots if anything and making the game safer..

I bet if you polled all active players, this idea would die a miserable death.

To look at just one aspect of the game, imagine O lines vs D lines... it would look ridiculous, just a big, slow rugby scrum.

It would completely change the game I love most, and i'll never be sold on that idea.

[BlackHelicopters]

Didn't know Smith could put together a complete sentence.

[jAZ]

Wow, kids are getting concussions in Pop-Warner? WTF?


I have been involved in some fairly massive shots through Jr High and HS, (giving and receiving) and never got a concussion. I guess I am just lucky.

You've never been diagnosed. And as a kid, how would you ever self diagnose. Perhaps it's more likely to happen now than in the past.

[jAZ]

Yeah. I thought the same thing. in high school, i was the gunner on punts, i was the wheel on kickoffs, i set crack downs on lbs, i dont ever recall getting a concussion. Saw stars a couple times. shrugs....who knows

I remember doing a drill in 7th Grade where each player stood in the center of a circle of other players and the coach would call out a player number who would rush in and try to level the person at the middle. That person would get slammed good each time often without having any idea where the hit was coming from. I guess the point was to develop improved awareness and to learn to take hits.

In the end, it played a role in my choosing not to keep playing football in HS. It also seems like, looking back, exactly the kind of drill the may have left kids with concussions that we never knew about.

[Mav]

I remember doing a drill in 7th Grade where each player stood in the center of a circle of other players and the coach would call out a player number who would rush in and try to level the person at the middle. That person would get slammed good each time often without having any idea where the hit was coming from. I guess the point was to develop improved awareness and to learn to take hits.

In the end, it played a role in my choosing not to keep playing football in HS. It also seems like, looking back, exactly the kind of drill the may have left kids with concussions that we never knew about.

Bull in the ring. Yup. Remember that one.

[TribalElder]

Emmit smith must be suffering the effects of using the crown of his helmet during his career. This sounds like a great idea NFL

Not

This rule fails at life. Keep fucking with the rules and soon it will be so pussified nobody will be interested anymore.

[Brock]

I remember doing a drill in 7th Grade where each player stood in the center of a circle of other players and the coach would call out a player number who would rush in and try to level the person at the middle. That person would get slammed good each time often without having any idea where the hit was coming from. I guess the point was to develop improved awareness and to learn to take hits.

In the end, it played a role in my choosing not to keep playing football in HS. It also seems like, looking back, exactly the kind of drill the may have left kids with concussions that we never knew about.

ROFL what a pussy.

[hometeam]

This change wont happen, they are proposing it so that they can say they did. Anyone can see that it cannot pass and allow the game to remain even closely the same.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Oklahoma Drill. Got paired up with a fast little goddamned midget who caught me at the knees and took me down. I just couldn't get low enough on the fucker. Little bastard. He did however possess the stupidity to get in my face in the locker room after practice and say something derogatory about my father. Mmm...I wonder how HIS father felt, coming to pick him up from practice, and having to work with Coach to pry his little ass out said lockers? Good times....
Posted via Mobile Device

[jAZ]

ROFL what a pussy.

Yes, that's exactly it.

[jAZ]

ROFL what a pussy.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/02/04/tackle.technique.concussion/index.html

[ghak99]

I remember doing a drill in 7th Grade where each player stood in the center of a circle of other players and the coach would call out a player number who would rush in and try to level the person at the middle. That person would get slammed good each time often without having any idea where the hit was coming from. I guess the point was to develop improved awareness and to learn to take hits.

In the end, it played a role in my choosing not to keep playing football in HS. It also seems like, looking back, exactly the kind of drill the may have left kids with concussions that we never knew about.

ROFL

If this is the drill that pushed you out of football, it's a damn good thing your vagina never saw the field in an actual tough physical game.

[jAZ]

ROFL

If this is the drill that pushed you out of football, it's a damn good thing your vagina never saw the field in an actual tough physical game.

Some of you people are exactly the problem.

http://web.archive.org/web/20100807195612/http://www.usafootball.com/articles/displayArticle/6418/6533

Dear Coach,
Our son's coach was trying to do a bullring drill last night. I have heard nothing positive about this drill, plus have heard a lot of associations have banned or just stopped using it. What are your feelings on this drill?

Thank you,

Concerned parent

Hi Parent,

This is a drill that was in fashion a long time ago and one you do not see used as much today. The premise of the drill is that it will develop toughness in the individual players.

A Bull in the Ring drill is where a group of players form a circle with one player in the center. One at a time, the players in the ring attack the player in the center by charging at him. The player must adjust his position and try to neutralize the attack, then reset and prepare for another player. The drill continues until the coach calls an end and puts another player in the center.

My feeling as a coach has always been to use my valuable practice time conducting drills that teach a technique or skill that the player can and should use when playing the game. I never felt that this drill served that purpose.

Often when we as coaches use a drill of this nature, it has the opposite result. The players may go through with the drill, but in the end it often is cause for them to no longer have the desire to continue to play football. Developing this desire to play is something every coach should try to promote.

Every practice drill should be built on teaching, repetition and understanding by the player and designed to increase the opportunity for the player to enjoy success on the playing field and not to have needless contact.

My hope would be that this coach would introduce his players to feeling comfortable with contact by teaching safe tackling and blocking techniques in supervised drills that carry over to actions in a game.

Coach Tom Bass

Coach Tom Bass, the technical writer and advisor for USA Football, is a 30-year NFL coach who has also authored several books, including "Play Football the NFL Way" - the first "how to" book ever authorized and published by the NFL. Coach Bass is happy to personally autograph his books to you. Book ordering information can be found at http://www.coachbass.com/.

[HMc]

I bet if you polled all active players, this idea would die a miserable death.

To look at just one aspect of the game, imagine O lines vs D lines... it would look ridiculous, just a big, slow rugby scrum.

It would completely change the game I love most, and i'll never be sold on that idea.

The players are the last people you need to survey on matters of this nature. Many of them can barely spell.

[Molitoth]

So an 18 year old can join the army and put his life at risk while making next to nothing, and I'm supposed to worry about what could happen to a multi millionaire that plays a game for a living?

The rule changes are lame and that's that.

What's next? MMA fights without punching?

[jAZ]

So an 18 year old can join the army and put his life at risk while making next to nothing, and I'm supposed to worry about what could happen to a multi millionaire that plays a game for a living?

The rule changes are lame and that's that.

What's next? MMA fights without punching?

You should worry more about when soldiers are forced into war and less about what the NFL does with it's rules.

[Crush]

You should worry more about when soldiers are forced into war and less about what the NFL does with it's rules.

Fans have every right to bitch about these rule changes. The violence is what makes the game great. Viewership will plummet and the sport will die if we continue to go down this path.

[Demonpenz]

There are tons of drills it seems for football that does nothing but promote huge hits that sound good, but don't actually help tackling.

[jAZ]

Fans have every right to bitch about these rule changes. The violence is what makes the game great. Viewership will plummet and the sport will die if we continue to go down this path.

Talk to him about his soliders/war standards for his worry. Not me.

Our society, and humanity in general fears the unknown, and change brings unknown. History shows that most things work out. And when they don't, we change it again.

But reality is what's going to threaten football, not rule changes. Reality is that it's a sport that's been played in a way that has lead to brain damage and subsequent death for players. And the NFL sees the long term risks that many fans could care less about.

Change is rarely as traumatic as those who fear it predict. New rules will be tested, implemented and adjusted if it doesn't work.

[Crush]

I'm so sick of people bitching about rule changes.

Why? For the last fifteen years, the Competition Committee is doing its best to destroy the sport. Fans have every right to bitch.

The game is going to change because it's been revealed that it's really ****ing people up.

Not our problem. Those "people" should have known risks of partaking in the violent activity of football. They were financially compensated for their work.

And the league is on the hook financially for massive amounts of money because of that damage.

Why? The NFL didn't force them to participate and be compensated for their work.

I have no idea if this particular rule is going to help, and perhaps its going to end up not being approved or not working.

SPOILER ALERT: It won't and ball carriers will ignore it. You can't regulate natural instinct. This is just a knee-jerk reaction to pander to the pussies of this country.

But can we get over the bitching about the efforts to fix the game and complaining that it's changing.

Fuck you. The sport is not being "fixed." It is slowly being destroyed. If I wanted to watch soccer, I would watch soccer.

[Crush]

Talk to him about his soliders/war standards for his worry. Not me.

Our society, and humanity in general fears the unknown, and change brings unknown. History shows that most things work out. And when they don't, we change it again.

But reality is what's going to threaten football, not rule changes. Reality is that it's a sport that's been played in a way that has lead to brain damage and subsequent death for players. And the NFL sees the long term risks that many fans could care less about.

Change is rarely as traumatic as those who fear it predict. New rules will be tested, implemented and adjusted if it doesn't work.

As long as players understand the risks that are involved, who cares? What happened to personal responsibility? The fans' opinion does matter because the violence sells the sport. Without the violence, no one will watch.

[jAZ]

Not our problem. Those "people" should have known risks of partaking in the violent activity of football. They were financially compensated for their work.

1) If they had known the risks, they would have had an opportunity to negotiate higher compensation to cover for the long term medical bills.

2) The league recognizes that the league is facing an existential threat. You don't see that and don't really care, which is odd given that you seem to care about being able to watch the NFL.

[Setsuna]

The world needs more soccer players and baseball players. At least Zoccer will agree with me.

[jAZ]

As long as players understand the risks that are involved, who cares? What happened to personal responsibility? The fans' opinion does matter because the violence sells the sport. Without the violence, no one will watch.

The players and the public just found out about the degree of these risks.

2500 former players have filed a lawsuit claiming that the NFL (like the tobacco companies) suppressed study data showing these risks. If true, then the only people who knew all of what was going on in years past was the NFL ownership itself.

Have you not been paying attention to this in the news?

[jAZ]

Without the violence, no one will watch.

1) You fear the unknown and have a preference for the status quo, you don't know the future. Understand the difference between the two. It will serve you well.

2) Smokers and others said that bars and restaurants would collapse if smoking was banned. Because they feared the unknown and had a preference for the status quo.

I don't know what's going to happen, but I'll be that the self interested complainers will once again be seen to be chicken littles. And the NFL is betting big that I'm right.

Time will tell, but if I'm wrong, they will adapt again.

[Crush]

The players and the public just found out about the degree of these risks.

2500 former players have filed a lawsuit claiming that the NFL (like the tobacco companies) suppressed study data showing these risks. If true, then the only people who knew all of what was going on in years past was the NFL ownership itself.

Have you not been paying attention to this in the news?

So you're telling me that the players and the public were too stupid to recognize the risks of playing a violent sport? I'm sorry I'm not buying that. Even if the NFL suppressed the study data, common sense dictated otherwise.

[Crush]

1) If they had known the risks, they would have had an opportunity to negotiate higher compensation to cover for the long term medical bills.

2) The league recognizes that the league is facing an existential threat. You don't see that and don't really care, which is odd given that you seem to care about being able to watch the NFL.

If personal responsibility was actually valued in today's society, the NFL wouldn't even be in this situation to begin with.

[Crush]

1) You fear the unknown and have a preference for the status quo, you don't know the future. Understand the difference between the two. It will serve you well.

Both the NFL and College Football generate tremendous revenue and the players are being financially compensated (pros are being paid millions and collegiate athletes receive free schooling with the chance to be paid millions within the next four years). Team sell out their stadiums every Saturday and Sunday. What's wrong with the status quo?

[jAZ]

So you're telling me that the players and the public were too stupid to recognize the risks of playing a violent sport? I'm sorry I'm not buying that. Even if the NFL suppressed the study data, common sense dictated otherwise.
It's human nature.

Smoking, steroids and brain injuries.

Addiction, and competition/money combined with the immediate gratification and delayed consequences not directly attributable to the bad actions... leaves the person incentivized to take certain actions.

[Crush]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zI6vW-I8H-M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Those poor former players. They had no idea what they were getting into.

[jAZ]

If personal responsibility was actually valued in today's society, the NFL wouldn't even be in this situation to begin with.

The NFL is an institution and is taking personal responsibility for the situation. You are bitching about it because it interference with your satisfaction. You apparently want to be served at any expense.

The NFL wants to take actions that mitigate the risks and enable the game to continue.

You want that too.

However, you (as an analogy) want to drink, smoke, do drugs, have uncontrolled sex, eat anything at any volume... and want nothing to change as a result.

Which is the antithesis of personal responsibility. You are championing for unrestrained self indulgence.

Kind of an odd turn about, huh?

[jAZ]

Both the NFL and College Football generate tremendous revenue and the players are being financially compensated (pros are being paid millions and collegiate athletes receive free schooling with the chance to be paid millions within the next four years). Team sell out their stadiums every Saturday and Sunday. What's wrong with the status quo?

Nothing for you. Which is why you bitch when the people who the status quo doesn't benefit try to change it.

[jAZ]

And that you dared to throw in college football (where payers may have identical risks but receive nearly 0% of the compensation) is the height of self serving denial.

[Crush]

It's human nature.

Smoking, steroids and brain injuries.

Addiction, and competition/money combined with the immediate gratification and delayed consequences not directly attributable to the bad actions... leaves the person incentivized to take certain actions.

Again, where is the personal responsibility? The players can't have their cake and eat it too. No one would watch them if they didn't beat each other up. They would then be forced to get real jobs.

[Crush]

And that you dared to throw in college football (where payers may have identical risks but receive nearly 0% of the compensation) is the height of self serving denial.

I wouldn't call a free education from an accredited university and the potential to receive a lucrative contract within four years "0% of the compensation." You refuse to acknowledge that individuals should be held accountable for their actions. No one is holding a gun to an 18 year-old's head on signing day.

[jAZ]

Again, where is the personal responsibility? The players can't have their cake and eat it too. No one would watch them if they didn't beat each other up. They would then be forced to get real jobs.

Again, you say that as if it's a fact. But it's not. And history says you are wrong to predict that. And the reality is that the NFL is a group of sentient beings who have the capacity to adopt to new data and changing circumstances.

If the league starts to collapse from this rule change or a series of them, the owners will act again.

I promise you this.

[jAZ]

I wouldn't call a free education from an accredited university and the potential to receive a lucrative contract within four years "0% of the compensation." You refuse to acknowledge that individuals should be held accountable for their actions. No one is holding a gun to an 18 year-old's head on signing day.
First of all, college basketball and football players are not remotely maximizing their economic self interest. The NFL Players get what, 50% of the billions their game generates? College players get next to nothing.

And you are the one demanding that the world act as if it hasn't learned anything about this in the last 20 years. With higher risks comes higher rewards, or greater failure.

You might argue that over time, indirectly the costs of the health risks are embedded into the league salaries.

That might be your only path to a defensible argument.

But in college that is not even remotely true. They get the same singular thing in return, that they did 50+ years ago. Nothing more today despite the higher risks.

[jAZ]

And to your point earlier... yes, the player could make a choice to not play football.

And that is where your own arguments collapse.

You want to save the game, but you ignore the long term threats that the NFL is not ignoring. You are being self indulgent drug addict who demands the gratification today, tomorrow be dammed.

If parents, kids and the highest performing athletes start skipping football and choose to play baseball and basketball instead, because the risks of brain injury are too high to justify participation starting in pop warner where the rewards are zero, then the system collapses in just one generation.

[TrebMaxx]

WTF! Just switch to flag football then.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl-passes-helmet-rule-boots-180018227--nfl.html

NFL passes helmet rule, boots tuck rule
By Terry McCormick | National Football Post – 1 hour 12 minutes ago

Multiple reports from the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix indicate that the new rule that will outlaw running backs leading their their helmet has passed by a vote of 31-1.

The change was done in regard to player safety and recommended by the NFL's competition committee.

Meanwhile, the abolishment of the controversial tuck rule that once helped cost the Oakland Raiders a playoff game, is complete with the vote being 30-0-2. The New England Patriots, who benefited from the rule in that game against Oakland, abstained as did the Washington Redskins, according to reports.

Also, the rule has been changed to still allow for replay to take place when a coach tosses the challenge flag on an already reviewable play like a touchdown or turnover. Last Thanksgiving, the old rule that prevented a replay from being used if a coach threw the flag gave the Houston Texans a free touchdown against the Detroit Lions when Lions coach Jim Schwartz tossed the flag out to challenge a down by contact that was not called.

Coaches will now be charged a timeout for an illegal challenge, even if it is successful.

[ghak99]

This is a sad slippery slope.

[Beef Supreme]

Goodell is the worst thing that's ever happened to this league

[jd1020]

So RB's cant defend themselves now?

[Chief Gump]

What does Emmitt have to say about this?

[Easy 6]

This is simply awful news, i want to go off on some furious, wild rant, but in the end all i can come up with is genuine sadness.

I cant imagine how ****ed games are going to look this year, its going to be the mother****ing ugliest penalty fest you've ever witnessed now, as backs try to TOTALLY, COMPLETELY relearn the game.

Man, i just hate this so much, its not football anymore... much more of this and i swear on my Grandfather i'll quit supporting and watching the NFL, they are killing something i dearly love with this nonsense.

[Iowanian]

Might as well mandate passing on 3 and 1 and inside the 10 yard line.

The history channel should have made Satan look like Goodell.

[BlackHelicopters]

Waiting on the Emmitt Smith statement on this new development.

[kcxiv]

The way they explained it on nfl 32 right now it's not that bad only in the open field. Still not a fan of it though