We don't see these horrific injuries very often in the NFL, but with the size and the speed of the players increasing each year, I would imagine we will see an increase.
2007-09-12 00:41:42 · 6 answers · asked by not_omniscient_enough 1 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
Here's what I believe will solve many of the issues: get rid of hard shelled helmets!
I know that they are shiny and look good but they are treated like weapons by many players. Paint marks are displayed like badges of honor; hell, I did the same thing when I played.
Make the helmet with a soft shell over the hardened plastic to minimize the impact of the hit. Its really a simple idea.
As an aside, the most recent incident was not caused by bad tackling; it was actually a textbook hit as demonstrated on Inside the NFL this week. I do agree however that many of these types of injuries are caused by making a hit with the head down instead of up.
2007-09-12 01:05:28 · answer #1 · answered by IggleMan 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let's look at this realistically. How many people play football? Now how many sustain the same kind of injury Everett did. Pretty small percentage. Thing is, there are far more concussions than spinal injuries but no one seens to get worked up about those.
That said, Everett got hurt because he committed a cardinal sin. He made a hit with his head down. You gotta keep your head up. That's the key.
2007-09-16 00:42:55 · answer #2 · answered by njcardfan 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I actually think the size and speed of NFL players is about where it will stay for the next 20 years (baring serious scientific discovery) ... The league tests heavily, so I don't think we'll have an offensive line more roided up than the 70s Steelers, and I think HGH (untestable to my knowledge) has gotten players as good as they will be, physically.
2007-09-12 09:03:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poor tackling technique has more to do with spinal cord injuries than the size and speed of the players. However, more broken bones and destroyed knees are likely the bigger and faster they get.
2007-09-12 08:02:17 · answer #4 · answered by Rob B 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think we have much better protection than in the days of Jim Thorpe and Chuck Bednarik. You don't hear the stories of the injured back then. it's only fantastic to us now that even high school games are televised.
The figures either stand pat or drop slightly.
2007-09-12 08:12:23 · answer #5 · answered by Your Uncle Dodge! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sadly yes
2007-09-12 09:46:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋