The NFL, concussions, and the importance of Dave Duerson's suicide last Thursday

[RoryN]

The balls are also lighter than when I was playing in the 1980s. Much lighter. Most youth teams, at least in my area, haven't been practicing as much heading as they did once. They're bringing back the foot into football.

I read a story about Jeff Astle that mentioned the weight of the older balls. That's good.

 

[RjThoughts]

I read a story about Jeff Astle that mentioned the weight of the older balls. That's good.

the weight of a rain soaked current ball is still less than the weight of what we used!

Soccer is taking steps to reduce head trauma, still have ways to go, though. They're acknowledging there's a problem. The NFL, the NCAA, and high school football are almost ostriching.

 

[juttjaw]

I only write to add my experience. I played organized tackle football for almost 20 years of my life. I played at the upper college level for 2 and a half seasons. Doing so, I have many friends who have played the same amount or more (including the NFL). The damage we did to ourselves is unrepairable. We recognize that. Many of my friends, who have sons, have actively discouraged them from playing football. Some have failed and some have succeed. Over all, I think that is a testimony on how we see that sport. Yes, I will always love football for the game and the effort I know that goes into playing it. To say "spoiled rich thugs" is just ignorant. Those spoiled rich men are only rich because they have worked their hands to the bone to be in that position. They have worked harder than any of those "fans" calling them morons and "spoiled" from their warm, safe couch. Learn a little about how the fucking thing works before you open your cheetos stuffed mouths! Their job is to literally risk their lives for your entertainment... Remember that.

 

[RjThoughts]

I only write to add my experience. I played organized tackle football for almost 20 years of my life. I played at the upper college level for 2 and a half seasons. Doing so, I have many friends who have played the same amount or more (including the NFL). The damage we did to ourselves is unrepairable. We recognize that. Many of my friends, who have sons, have actively discouraged them from playing football. Some have failed and some have succeed. Over all, I think that is a testimony on how we see that sport. Yes, I will always love football for the game and the effort I know that goes into playing it. To say "spoiled rich thugs" is just ignorant. Those spoiled rich men are only rich because they have worked their hands to the bone to be in that position. They have worked harder than any of those "fans" calling them morons and "spoiled" from their warm, safe couch. Learn a little about how the fucking thing works before you open your cheetos stuffed mouths! Their job is to literally risk their lives for your entertainment... Remember that.

Most of whom were NOT given the proper medical advice and/or proper medical treatment, because the Monopolies - NFL and NCAA - treat football players as just commodities, not as people.

 

[juttjaw]

Most of whom were NOT given the proper medical advice and/or proper medical treatment, because the Monopolies - NFL and NCAA - treat football players as just commodities, not as people.

I agree wholeheartedly! They make their millions on the blood of 18 year Olds. At least the NFL'er gets some compensation for their blood.

 

[BotanyBoy]

Most of whom were NOT given the proper medical advice and/or proper medical treatment, because the Monopolies - NFL and NCAA - treat football players as just commodities, not as people.

That's what monetizing your time/talents is....making yourself into a commodity.

The quick and easy term is employment.

 

[RjThoughts]

That's what monetizing your time/talents is....making yourself into a commodity.

The quick and easy term is employment.

OSHA exists because of employers bypassing safety for the purpose of making more money. Without proper knowledge of and availability to proper healthcare from the teams, the teams are basically using the players as objects, not people.

The libertarian, laissez-faire attitude is dangerous.

 

[ishtat]

Of the eleven players who won England the World Football Cup in 1966, Ray Wilson, Nobby Styles, Jack Charlton, and Martin Peters, were all diagnosed with dementia.
4 out of eleven!

Two, Moore (52) cancer and Ball (61) heart attack are dead, Banks has cancer.

So much for super-fit sportsmen. At least three of these supposedly wealthy sportsmen had to sell their world cup medals to pay for ongoing medical care.

 

[BotanyBoy]

OSHA exists because of employers bypassing safety for the purpose of making more money.

Right, but that can only go so far.

All employment carries some risk along with a time sacrifice and a the exploitation of ones talent. That's why you get compensated, that is one of the primary exchanges that drives an economy. And the greater the exploitable risk/talent is the better the compensation.

You can't NERF the world until you get rid of all the sacrifice, danger and exploitation or there is no more economy, society or nation.

There has to be balance between preventing unnecessary risk/public threats and starving 100+ million people to death for their own safety and the greater good.

Without proper knowledge of and availability to proper healthcare from the teams, the teams are basically using the players as objects, not people.

That is something EVERY company does to their employees.

The libertarian, laissez-faire attitude is dangerous.

Not anywhere nearly as dangerous or destructive as the control freak nanny state trying to make everything as safe and fair as possible has proven to be.

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/aF8AAOSw8HBZEQU2/s-l300.jpg

 

[RjThoughts]

Right, but that can only go so far.

All employment carries some risk along with a time sacrifice and a the exploitation of ones talent. That's why you get compensated, that is one of the primary exchanges that drives an economy. And the greater the exploitable risk/talent is the better the compensation.

You can't NERF the world until you get rid of all the sacrifice, danger and exploitation or there is no more economy, society or nation.

There has to be balance between preventing unnecessary risk/public threats and starving 100+ million people to death for their own safety and the greater good.



That is something EVERY company does to their employees.



Not anywhere nearly as dangerous or destructive as the control freak nanny state trying to make everything as safe and fair as possible has proven to be.

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/aF8AAOSw8HBZEQU2/s-l300.jpg

Sending players out with concussion, knowing the dangers of doing so, is so helping the "employees."

 

[BotanyBoy]

Sending players out with concussion, knowing the dangers of doing so, is so helping the "employees."

Well they could ALWAYS make a living doing something much safer.

Probably won't pay as well though.

Sending the roughnecker, fisherman, logger, miners, deep sea welders, private security or mercenary out to get regularly maimed/die is no different.

Same with boxers, fighters and race car drivers.

They know the risk, that's why they are even half decent they will make more in 5 months of work than a school teacher or mail carrier will make in 5 years.

Now I'm not saying we shouldn't inform folks or take reasonable safety precautions.

But I am saying you can't nerf the world man...***** is dangerous, people take risks for money and sometimes that gets people fucked up/killed.

 

[RjThoughts]

Well they could ALWAYS make a living doing something much safer.

Probably won't pay as well though.

Sending the roughnecker, fisherman, logger, miners, deep sea welders, private security or mercenary out to get regularly maimed/die is no different.

Same with boxers, fighters and race car drivers.

They know the risk, that's why they are even half decent they will make more in 5 months of work than a school teacher or mail carrier will make in 5 years.

Now I'm not saying we shouldn't inform folks or take reasonable safety precautions.

But I am saying you can't nerf the world man...***** is dangerous, people take risks for money and sometimes that gets people fucked up/killed. Part of the game and you can't stop that without stopping all human progress.

The NFL withheld medical...oh forget it. You'll just come up with another excuse of denial.

 

[BotanyBoy]

The NFL withheld medical...oh forget it. You'll just come up with another excuse of denial.

So did you just not read or are you ignoring the part where I said-

"Now I'm not saying we shouldn't inform folks or take reasonable safety precautions. "

??

I'm not saying what the NFL did was right nor am I excusing or denying anything.

But go ahead and have your hissy fit for not providing you with the echo chamber you desire.

God forbid you have an adult conversation.

 

[RoryN]

“The reality is that this game destroys people’s brains.” - Bob Costas

This (truthful) comment cost him the Super Bowl, apparently:
https://sports.yahoo.com/bob-costas...e-comments-concussions-cte-nfl-224951021.html

 

[RoryN]

New ESPN special Seau is excellent (and very sad).

 

[RoryN]

This is how bad it's getting for the NFL - they've been forced to do this sort of thing.

'member when some people were dismissing "the importance of Dave Duerson's suicide" years ago?

NFL pushes back on youth football “myths”

The NFL continues to fear the impact of a reduced supply of future NFL players. And it shows.

The latest evidence of the league’s concern comes from a list of “myths” and “facts” regarding youth football that was posted on Tuesday by NFL executive V.P. of football operations Troy Vincent...The league contends, among other things, that the concussion rate for “youth tackle football” is similar to the concussion rate for other “youth contact sports"...

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/05/08/nfl-pushes-back-on-youth-football-myths/

 

[RoryN]

A big day for American college athletes, and undoubtedly an indirect result of issues such as concussions re: participation in these programs:

NCAA votes to allow athletes to profit from likeness

https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/27957981/ncaa-votes-allow-athletes-profit-likeness

 

[SgtSpiderMan]

This is how bad it's getting for the NFL - they've been forced to do this sort of thing.

'member when some people were dismissing "the importance of Dave Duerson's suicide" years ago?

NFL pushes back on youth football “myths”

The NFL continues to fear the impact of a reduced supply of future NFL players. And it shows.

The latest evidence of the league’s concern comes from a list of “myths” and “facts” regarding youth football that was posted on Tuesday by NFL executive V.P. of football operations Troy Vincent...The league contends, among other things, that the concussion rate for “youth tackle football” is similar to the concussion rate for other “youth contact sports"...

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/05/08/nfl-pushes-back-on-youth-football-myths/

That's just sick.

 

[RoryN]

After a series of concussions, arguably the best linebacker in the NFL - and one of the top defensive players overall - calls it quits at age 28.

Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, 28, says it's 'right time' to retire

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports...cker-luke-kuechly-28-says-it-s-right-n1115871

 

[bestone4ever]

Luke made 7 All Pro teams in 8 years. The only year he didn't make it he won defensive rookie of the year. Insane stats.

 

[RocketLauncher]

Terrible what concussions do. So many hockey players fall victim to suicide, drug addiction etc..

 

[RoryN]

Check his brain, please...

Pro Rugby Player Kills Entire Family in Murder / Suicide

 

[RoryN]

Check his brain, please...

Man accused of killing five, self had gruesome injury, concussions over six NFL seasons

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-new...adams-suspect-s-c-shooting-struggled-n1263504

 

[RoryN]

Phillip Adams’ brain will be studied for CTE: Associated Press

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/04/10/phillip-adams-brain-will-be-studied-for-cte/

 

[RoryN]

I remember hearing stories many years ago about Al Toon after he retired - living places where there was no noise, because it would drive him insane.

Update: Al Toon has supposedly made a remarkable recovery since this post. He would probably be an interesting study as far as CTE goes.

But sadly...

Molly Lillard, daughter of former NFL star Al Toon, dead in apparent murder-suicide

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-new...ormer-nfl-star-al-toon-dead-apparent-n1264197