Will new helmet rule ruin the game?

[Bobhaze]

Dont know about you guys. But this is football. Now the players will be holding back from hitting spontaneous, in result the runners will take advantage for Xtra yards. I think it stinks. Here is vid that started it all.

Whether we as fans like it or not, the evidence of what potentially happens to a football player’s brain playing NFL football has changed the game forever. These players are bigger, faster, and stronger and the hard shell helmet (whether it’s meant to be or not) occasionally becomes a weapon. If the NFL, college and HS did not address this with rules changes, the game itself would be imperiled.

 

[Flamma]

In order for a competitor to emerge they need sponsors and networks to compete plus the support of Congress for Anti Trust acts.

We’ve already had USFL and XFootball attempt and failing after 2 and 3 years respectfully. It would take several investors investing billions without any guarantees of returns assuming they find a means of broadcasting and stadium rights.

It’s amazing that some fans believe that Football without barbaric collision causing head injuries and death resulting in litigation wouldn’t be an attractive sport. It was before.

I already know the USFL wasn't successful. But the NFL didn't do anything stupid yet. How far do you think the NFL can go until league's like that can compete? You said change the helmets. What about also removing large shoulder pads? What about going straight to flag football? Where do you draw the line where another league won't be able to come in and take over?

 

[Flamma]

And I’m not familiar with anyone dying in the boxing ring or if they have an organization that’s protected from Congress.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/m...nged-tragedy-hit-boxing-ring-article-1.258729

 

[Diehardblues]

I already know the USFL wasn't successful. But the NFL didn't do anything stupid yet. How far do you think the NFL can go until league's like that can compete? You said change the helmets. What about also removing large shoulder pads? What about going straight to flag football? Where do you draw the line where another league won't be able to come in and take over?

I’d suggest going back to the NFL similar before we had Gladiator style hard helmets which were initially developed to protect the head not use as a weapon.

No one has suggested anything about going to flag football or lesser shoulder pads. Those are just extreme examples used by those that don’t recall what the NFL looked liked before or cant imagine a less brutal collision sport.

Hopefully these new rules can return the NFL to an era in which the helmet wasn’t used as a weapon. If not then it will need to be modified or removed.

 

[Diehardblues]

The bigger issue moving forward with the brutal physical impact of head collisions, concussions and CTE is the effect at the Amateur level.

Parents are already beginning to limit their kids from participating in football. And we’re seeing some school districts limit their contact in practices to limit the exposure .

Unfortunately the NCAA has not taken the measures the NFL is to prevent and curb the exposure to head collisions and concussions.

This is a very serious issue. I’m not sure how many parents want their children to be vulnerable to the side effects associated with the exposure to head trauma. Not to mention the liability to schools, universities and leagues.

I applaud the NFL for reacting to this issue. Of course they knew what the effects could be but didn’t respond until the multi million dollar lawsuits begin.

It amazes me some fans turn a deaf ear with their seemingly irresponsible childish responses with no concern of the side effects in our kids and athletes health all for their own selfish barbaric entertainment.

 

[nightrain]

In it's current form, the new rule is going to make the game hard to watch and it's going to lead to some very disappointing losses due to penalty. Relying on the subjective opinion of the zebras to make it work is a failure out of the box.

Teams are already writing language into contracts that will hold players accountable for penalties and suspensions by tapping into guaranteed money for their time on any suspension related to the new rule. It will be nearly impossible to erase the instinctive action of lowering the head for a player who has carried the ball 20-30 times a game for a decade or more.

The game is what it is. No one wants to see anyone get hurt or suffer from the violent collisions of football, but it's a gladiator sport played by freakish athletes with a level of toughness not seen in other sports. Maybe players should sign a liability waver that exhibits the likelihood of suffering lifelong pain and anguish from the game and a possible premature death.

Imagine a goal to go game in it's final seconds and the team on O wants to rely on their stud RB to win the game with the last play. Never seen a dude run vertical from around the goal line.

 

[Diehardblues]

In it's current form, the new rule is going to make the game hard to watch and it's going to lead to some very disappointing losses due to penalty. Relying on the subjective opinion of the zebras to make it work is a failure out of the box.

Teams are already writing language into contracts that will hold players accountable for penalties and suspensions by tapping into guaranteed money for their time on any suspension related to the new rule. It will be nearly impossible to erase the instinctive action of lowering the head for a player who has carried the ball 20-30 times a game for a decade or more.

The game is what it is. No one wants to see anyone get hurt or suffer from the violent collisions of football, but it's a gladiator sport played by freakish athletes with a level of toughness not seen in other sports. Maybe players should sign a liability waver that exhibits the likelihood of suffering lifelong pain and anguish from the game and a possible premature death.

Imagine a goal to go game in it's final seconds and the team on O wants to rely on their stud RB to win the game with the last play. Never seen a dude run vertical from around the goal line.

It hasn’t always been a Gladiator sport.

The game developed into it over time with the addition of the hard helmet which was transformed into a weapon instead of its initial intent which was to protect the head.

 

[Jake]

I’d suggest going back to the NFL similar before we had Gladiator style hard helmets which were initially developed to protect the head not use as a weapon.

Mike Ditka said this years ago and the ESPN clowns chuckled. He said something to the effect of we didn't lead with the crown of our helmets because they were plastic and foam rubber. We saw what we hit.

You don't see rugby players launching themselves head first at ball carriers. They keep their head up, put their shoulder into the carrier, wrap up, and tackle him. What a novel concept.

 

[Praxit]

Whether we as fans like it or not, the evidence of what potentially happens to a football player’s brain playing NFL football has changed the game forever. These players are bigger, faster, and stronger and the hard shell helmet (whether it’s meant to be or not) occasionally becomes a weapon. If the NFL, college and HS did not address this with rules changes, the game itself would be imperiled.

..good points Bob. I just hope is doesn't undermine the ethics of the game. Example: Goal line stance- the difference of a good hit stops the runner but could be undermined by the helmet rule. As you know, it takes multiple hits to stop the momentum of the play. How will they know, it was good or not good enough? Or flag it for excessive hits?

..as for stronger, faster, bigger players today, I agree. But the equipment has also upgraded to sturdier modern materials.

 

[Praxit]

Mike Ditka said this years ago and the ESPN clowns chuckled. He said something to the effect of we didn't lead with the crown of our helmets because they were plastic and foam rubber. We saw what we hit.

You don't see rugby players launching themselves head first at ball carriers. They keep their head up, put their shoulder into the carrier, wrap up, and tackle him. What a novel concept.

..Jake, I think its more about instinct in the matter of milliseconds of our brain reacting to what its seeeing. Most players especially in goal line stance will almost instinctively go down low, which then exposes the crown of the head. So the others follow to go even lower to stop the momentum and hopefully the ball carrier.

Only way to bring down those big *** runners to beat them down below.

 

[Jake]

..Jake, I think its more about instinct in the matter of milliseconds of our brain reacting to what its seeeing. Most players especially in goal line stance will almost instinctively go down low, which then exposes the crown of the head. So the others follow to go even lower to stop the momentum and hopefully the ball carrier.

Only way to bring down those big *** runners to beat them down below.

Some of those instincts have come about because of the hard helmet and a false sense of security. You can go down low while still looking at what you hit, which is the proper way to do it anyhow. Lowering your head to the point where you're looking at the ground is bad form, leading to missed tackles and injuries.

 

[nightrain]

It hasn’t always been a Gladiator sport.

The game developed into it over time with the addition of the hard helmet which was transformed into a weapon instead of its initial intent which was to protect the head.

The helmet may provide a player with a false sense of invulnerability, but the athletes playing the game now are exponentially stronger and faster than the period you speak of.

 

[Diehardblues]

The helmet may provide a player with a false sense of invulnerability, but the athletes playing the game now are exponentially stronger and faster than the period you speak of.

Correct. And an even bigger reason the helmet shouldn’t be used as a weapon.

 

[Praxit]

..if you look at the vid clip I posted. It was just bad luck and timing for the runner. After a few shots he is juked about, not enough to go down, in the process looks yonder for more yardage. With that, he puts himself in a bad position for a sniper shot. The defender took it, unfortunately. They dont happen all the time. I suppose it was perfect timing for the storm.

 

[Big_D]

I think so.. more flags, more stoppage, more of the refs deciding games. It's heading in that direction. And I still think you'll see the same amount of injuries. It's a stupid rule change. You alrady had the spearing rule. Everything to protect the head was already in place. That hit in the vid you can see the defender going in low and the receivers head drops about a foot by the time he gets there.

 

[CPanther95]

It's definitely going to add a lot more subjectivity to the game which is going to benefit the league's favorite teams.

So overall, it'll be a good thing.

 

[Kevinicus]

People have died in the ring, right? Besides, the only entity that cares about their tax exempt status (which I didn't know) would be the NFL. That still doesn't take away the fact that if they so drastically change the game they run the risk of someone else taking their place. Impact sports are not illegal. Wrongful death suits are hard to win when all parties involved know the risks and agree to them.

Didn't know what? The NFL does not have a tax exempt status.

 

[Flamma]

Didn't know what? The NFL does not have a tax exempt status.

Someone else claimed that.

 

[jsb357]

That play (example) was against the rules by the old rules...

 

[Flamma]

In it's current form, the new rule is going to make the game hard to watch and it's going to lead to some very disappointing losses due to penalty. Relying on the subjective opinion of the zebras to make it work is a failure out of the box.

Teams are already writing language into contracts that will hold players accountable for penalties and suspensions by tapping into guaranteed money for their time on any suspension related to the new rule. It will be nearly impossible to erase the instinctive action of lowering the head for a player who has carried the ball 20-30 times a game for a decade or more.

The game is what it is. No one wants to see anyone get hurt or suffer from the violent collisions of football, but it's a gladiator sport played by freakish athletes with a level of toughness not seen in other sports. Maybe players should sign a liability waver that exhibits the likelihood of suffering lifelong pain and anguish from the game and a possible premature death.

Imagine a goal to go game in it's final seconds and the team on O wants to rely on their stud RB to win the game with the last play. Never seen a dude run vertical from around the goal line.

They never said they had to run vertical. Just lead with your shoulder. They are trying to make a distinction between leading with your head and leading with your shoulders. The problem is, in this fast paced game that might be impossible to determine.