Shock: Ravens Safety Pollard Says Nfl Player Will Die On Field

[vta]

I always kind of thought so too, that at some point we'll probably see a death on the field. But I find it odd that it's coming from him. If anyone is a brutal football player it's Pollard. He's a scary dude on the field.

"Like I said, I pray it never happens, but you've got guys who are 350 pounds running 4.5 and 4.4s, and these owners and coaches want scout-run blockers and linemen to move walls. At the same time, they tell you, 'Don't hit here, and don't hit there, or we'll take your money.' Like I said, I hope I'm wrong, but I just believe one day there's going to be a death that takes place on the field because of the direction we're going."

Link

[burmafrd]

just a little difference and Daryle Stingley would have died instead of being paralyzed. It is true that it will happen sooner or later.

Someone will break a neck high enough up and that is it.

But then again no one forces them to play in the NFL. They want the attention and the money.

[BoysFan4ever]

I remember reading this a few years ago. A player has died on the field. My recollection was it was a Lions player & it was years ago.

[Lonestar94]

Originally Posted by BoysFan4ever

I remember reading this a few years ago. A player has died on the field. My recollection was it was a Lions player & it was years ago.

Yep. He was walking back to the sideline after the play and collapsed. Worst day in NFL History.

[burmafrd]

I think his name was Hughes and it was a heart attack. Remember seeing a picture in the paper where he was laying there and another player was signaling to the sideline

[BoysFan4ever]

Thanks guys. I remember reading about it but the details I forgot.

[Eskimo]

Just a couple of years ago Korey Stringer died on a practice field.

Wasn't it just around five years ago when a scrub at Dallas Cowboys TC died in the middle of the night unexpectedly. I can't remember what results the autopsy came up with. Anyone remember?

[Muhast]

Can someone fill me in on who the 350 lb players who run 4.4's and 4.5's play for?

[StylisticS]

Originally Posted by Eskimo

Just a couple of years ago Korey Stringer died on a practice field.

Wasn't it just around five years ago when a scrub at Dallas Cowboys TC died in the middle of the night unexpectedly. I can't remember what results the autopsy came up with. Anyone remember?

Stronger was by heat exhaustion, right?

[tyke1doe]

Originally Posted by StylisticS

Stronger was by heat exhaustion, right?

Yes. Or heat stroke.

[vta]

I think Pollard is talking about immediate death by action and not cumulative effects. He seems to be saying that coaches are exhorting them to be bigger, stronger and all around unnatural to what the physics of the body in relation to the world can sustain.

I agree with him. In theory it sure seems great to go bigger and presuppose it's better, but the reality is, the expression of the bigger they are... is basically true. Gravity doesn't alter itself to accommodate life forms based on their size. And muscle mass doesn't grow bones and ligaments and what a person is born with won't sustain unlimited growth.

It's not entirely a cogent argument, but it's a start to recognizing a problem.

[ninja]

Both Carson Palmer and Ben Rothlisberger said the same thing several years ago.

I think the NFL is close to outlawing helmet to helmet hits. It will be an automatic 15 yd penalty with suspensions and fines. The offensive players will love it and the defensive players will complain. What else is new? Almost every recent rule change has helped the offense.

Forget about drafting these hard hitting safeties sometime in the near future. They will do more harm to your own team with penalties.

[burmafrd]

Originally Posted by ninja

Both Carson Palmer and Ben Rothlisberger said the same thing several years ago.

I think the NFL is close to outlawing helmet to helmet hits. It will be an automatic 15 yd penalty with suspensions and fines. The offensive players will love it and the defensive players will complain. What else is new? Almost every recent rule change has helped the offense.

Forget about drafting these hard hitting safeties sometime in the near future. They will do more harm to your own team with penalties.

yeah. Having a rep as a big hitter is now more trouble then its worth

[Fastphilly]

Pollard is an idiot. If anything we have a defence to put players out on a stretcher. They aren't playing a softy New England team next week. Whitner and Willis pounding hits are well documented.

[NIBGoldenchild]

Originally Posted by Fastphilly

Pollard is an idiot. If anything we have a defence to put players out on a stretcher. They aren't playing a softy New England team next week. Whitner and Willis pounding hits are well documented.

Pollard didn't mention your team in that link. Who's the idiot?