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Modern helmets contribute to illusion of safety
Modern helmets contribute to illusion of safety
They are better and safer but when used as weapons there can be harmful effects
Fred Mitchell
6:43 p.m. CDT, June 1, 2012
The weapon of choice in the NFL is the helmet.
The safety-improved helmet, as well as other advanced protective equipment players wear today, can make them feel invincible and perhaps more reckless in blocking and tackling techniques.
"That's why we have to combine (better equipment) with rules changes, to take the head out of the game," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told me Thursday after a news conference at Soldier Field with Mayor Rahm Emanuel recognizing the stadium's LEED certification for being environmentally friendly.
"You want them to be protected, but you don't want them to use the head."
Mike Ditka has seen first-hand how the helmet has evolved into a more dangerous piece of equipment as a Hall of Fame tight end and Super Bowl-winning coach.
"I don't have an answer, but I know the helmet gives people no fear to strike with their head," Ditka said Wednesday night before accepting a Ring Lardner Award at the Union League Club for his work as an NFL analyst on ESPN.
"As a result, that's why people tackle with their head. Now the helmet I wore (in the '60s) was a little piece of plastic with foam rubber in it; it was nothing. I wasn't going to hit anybody with my head. You hit 'em with your forearm or your shoulder, you know. But not your head."
Bears President Ted Phillips does not subscribe to the theory players have become increasingly daring because of the improved equipment.
"Equipment is getting safer and manufacturers are always trying to improve," he said. "But players have to change the culture a little bit and how they tackle to prevent needless head injuries."
Ditka remains quite aware of how the violent nature of the sport appeals to millions of fans.
"You don't want to make it soccer, but the league is trying to do the right thing," Ditka said. "I applaud them. … They hold a guy out for one week (with a concussion) … I don't know if that's enough or not. I doubt that it's enough."
Many observers cite the hypocrisy of the sport that promotes player safety on one hand and yet markets to fans the sensation of watching bodies collide at high speeds.
"I really believe (players take more risks because of better equipment) and I don't think you can change it," Ditka said. "You have to protect them in every way you can but I know that's what happens.
"When you get guys the size of these guys (today), moving at the speed they move, and they collide, and they have no fear to strike with their heads first … something has to give. One of them is going to get hurt. … The repercussions are going to come later on for those individuals, believe me."
Though safer, modern helmets can be used improperly to inflict injury.
"People understand now (that) it's a dangerous sport," Ditka said. "There are a lot of repercussions for the guys who played the game 40, 50 years ago and they are having a lot of problems.
"And even the guys who played the game 10 or 20 years ago are having a lot of problems. I think the league is trying to do it right, but it's football. People have to remember, it's football. In football, people hit each other very hard."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports...,727170.column
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Restore the roar!
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I said before, bring back the equipmeny they wore in the 20's With the rule changes and lack of " BUBBLE WRAP " they might be safer.
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Ditka is right. Some people whine about how the rule changes are ruining the game but in reality these changes are necessary to SAVE the game we all love.
"But players have to change the culture a little bit and how they tackle to prevent needless head injuries."
Ditka remains quite aware of how the violent nature of the sport appeals to millions of fans.
"You don't want to make it soccer, but the league is trying to do the right thing," Ditka said. "I applaud them.
Trestman - Kromer - Tucker - DeCamillis
I'm looking forward to seeing these guys coach. Hope they're good.
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You need protection that also cannot be used as a weapon. Seems odd they cannot develop a helmet that deflects the impact better rather then just trying to absorb it all(which is near impossible w/as big and fast as these guys have gotten.
I agree w/Ditka too. These guys have to stop trying to head hunt, and start getting back to basics w/tackling by not leading w/the head and keeping their heads up. Need to remove some of the shoulder pads also.
I have a friend who also questions if there is a lack of hydration going on(at least in the lower levels where helmets aren't allowed to come off). The less hydrated you are, the less water you have protecting your brain from the impact against the skull. He pointed out that skateboarders can fall 30 feet down and crack their heads and rarely get concussions(he was one of them).
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Doesn't this pic say it all about how weapons are used as much as weapons as they are safety?
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Well the refs are throwing more flags now for the headhunter type hits ( and of course some of the players are complaining about it ). I really don't know what else they can do short of sending the videos of these hits to the league office and start suspending guys for some of the more obvious egregious ones. It wouldn't be that hard really .... I mean we all know one when we see one. They do it in hockey ( for the 'defenseless position' hits ) but that's a much longer season. Suspend a guy for 2 games in the NFL and it can ruin your team's season. Another option : MAKE players with concussions sit out a higher number of games ( than before ) depending on the grade ?
A guy can take the Franco Harris approach and just run out of bounds when you've gotten about as much yardage out of a play as possible...... but then your coaches will start yelling at you for not putting ur head down and taking the hit to get the extra yard or two ( and the sissy comments start up also ). But Franco Harris isn't drooling on himself these days either.
So it comes down to the players showing each other more respect LOL. Maybe a few guys will do it, but the rest ...... fuggedaboutit.
What should you call any : Fumble , Hold , Interception , Three and out , or Sack ?
A " F.H.I.T.S " ? or a J'Marcus ?
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Next we'll be whining about hitting a player too hard.
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They already are w/the QB's, but again you have the retiries suing the league b/c it didn't take care of them enough.
Helmet to Helmet shots are dangerous and they should be against the rules. Guys are taught to look up as they tackle, but to many don't too often.
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Originally Posted by
JustAnotherBearsFan99 
Ditka is right. Some people whine about how the rule changes are ruining the game but in reality these changes are necessary to SAVE the game we all love.
I'm okay with most changes, as long as they don't wrap the players into bubblewrap.
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Hell, I'm one of the first to complain when flags are thrown for good hard hits that appear legit; that's the football lover in me. However, I think we all know that this sport is becoming more and more dangerous and something needs to be done. I remember as a kid (7) watching Dick Butkus running to the aid of a Lions WR that collapsed after a play and screaming to the Lions sideline for help. Chuck Hughes suffered a massive heart attack and died on the field that day. While it was not the result of a hit, I'll never forget it. Last year, I actually thought for a moment that I had witnessed it again with the Johnny Knox injury. That was not a dirty hit either, and was by all accounts, a fluke. But I never want to see another guy die on the field again. We are heading that direction, and at times, I feel a bit guilty for my love of this gladiator sport, but I do love it so.
I don't have the answers on how to protect them more and these guys know the risks just as smokers know the risk when they light up; but this game is not worth a human life. While it DOES take away from the game that I grew up watching and playing, the rational side of me has no problem with whatever measures need to be taken to protect the players, and ultimately, the game itself.
The Greatest form of revenge is MASSIVE success.
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