I’m not sure how this is going to play out with the NFL…
Well, by now everyone has heard of the tragedy in Kansas City the last few days (link).
And all of the talking heads from local sportscasters to Bob Costas have decided to put in their opinion. (How I feel about opinions) Costas even tried to make some sort of anti-gun 2nd amendment speech regarding this issue… (really?)
At the same time (flip side) we see articles like this – Ed Reed, NFL powder-puff league
And actually, as much as I hate to use this oft-used misnomer, what we really have here is the 3 sided coin…
One side – football is a violent game that breeds violence within individuals that sometimes cannot be contained. In fact, while players are active it is encourage by coaches, other players, fans and society in general. Whether or not there are guns involved really isn’t the issue, look at the UK for examples on what happens when gun laws are enacted.
2nd side – because of this violence some players are hurt rather badly. In some cases bodily and physiological damage results in suicides. Lately these individuals, when they are choosing to end their lives, do so in a manner so that their brains may be studied for this damage.
(see link)
3rd side – in putting in place policies, rules, etc the NFL is coming down hard on head-shots, violent collisions involving “defenseless” players and calling everything anywhere near a QBs head. With these rules some (including Mr. Reed) claim the NFL is taking something away from the game. What happens when you take the so called “violence” away from an inherently violent sport?
This is a tough one to call. The rash of former NFL players is both astounding and tragic. These are men with any other profession would be at the prime of their lives. They leave behind children, wives, brothers, sisters and numerous friends.
So what’s the answer? I don’t know. What I do know is that one former player is taking this into his own hands. Lavar Arrington’s Xtreme Procision WILL change how the game is taught and (hopefully) how the game is played. These strategies as well as advancements in equipment and g-force monitoring MUST BE PUT IN PLACE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. If we can teach the next generation how to properly and safely play the game these injuries and deaths CAN BE PREVENTED.
The game is changing. The game must change. If these changes don’t happen then the future of American football is in jeopardy.
