Comments on: Concussion problem has yet to scare away incoming rookies

By: pacstud

pacstud — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 01:34:41 +0000

Cool story bro.

By: philrat

philrat — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 17:27:21 +0000

I wonder how many current NFL players would take less money to get a 100% guarantee they would never get a concussion while playing professional football, such as changing the rules to flag football? I don’t think any would do this!

By: calbsure

calbsure — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 17:09:43 +0000

You play for the love of the game. The physical issues are inherit and well publicized. The NFL/NFLPA should be taking care of the former players health issues with the billions they have rolling in annually. Congress would be better served looking into the real issue of the health cost in taking care of those brave men and women serving in the military who are willing to give the ultimate sacrifice in life in a split second. The NFL is entertainment and a luxury that we all enjoy as fans and some don’t, given. But we can all agree that we enjoy the freedom to watch or not to watch football provided by these brave souls. Waivers are given in the military, so why not in the NFL, when injuries are inherit. Establish a clause, that the NFL take care of those who make them their billions for life with their health issues and establish a financial safety net through the NFLPA. Greed isn’t always good.

By: bangitfootball

bangitfootball — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 17:01:35 +0000

Every current player and incoming rookie should be made to sign a waiver of responsibilty for the NFL and its teams and a promise not to sue.

Football is dangerous, so is motorcycle racing, mountain climbing, sky diving, coal mining, firefighting and skiing. They knew the risks , dont play if you wont accept the consequences.

The league is turning into some sort of flag fooball, two handedtouch , tackle hybrid because of the scummy lawyers and opportunist money hungry mediocre 3 year and out former players that blew any money they made looking to make a quick buck.

By: kingfish4242

kingfish4242 — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 16:46:55 +0000

chadmurdigan says:
Apr 22, 2012 9:53 AM
They may not be concerned now, but the personal injury lawyers are already noting their names because you can bet that they be ready to file in twenty years or so.

There’s only one way to stop all this injury stuff now. No more tackle football, a game played by real men. To stop the injuries, we must stop kickoffs, and all hitting above the soles of the feet.

Truly, it’s time for NFFL.*

*National Flag Football League

===============================

I know you were being facetious,but there really is a way to stop this madness. It’s for a jury to say sorry guys, you “assumed the risks” when you stepped onto that field in your youth.

The only chance I see the former players winning a suit is to prove the NFL knowingly and willingly withheld evidence of the concussion dangers during their playing days. I don’t think that will happen because Medical science at the time didn’t have the knowledge it does now.

By: thingamajig

thingamajig — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 16:28:55 +0000

Why would anybody be scared if they can sue when things dont go 100% as planned.

By: sportsmeccabi

sportsmeccabi — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 15:30:40 +0000

These guys have known what they are in for. Otherwise they wouldn’t have been spending a lot of their time, since maybe around 7 years old, preparing to go to the NFL.

By: CKL

CKL — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 15:30:08 +0000

I agree, but the problem is that the way thing are now a tiny group (relatively speaking) of litigants can bring big companies to their knees. I fear that far more than I fear young men not wanting to play the sport.

By: savannahrose44

savannahrose44 — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 15:26:47 +0000

I’m sure the potential paycheck has absolutely nothing to do with their decisions…

By: stevenfbrackett

stevenfbrackett — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 15:18:48 +0000

Or maybe those who were most concerned decided to use their degree and not turn pro at all.

By: dan39564

dan39564 — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 15:17:27 +0000

I played Rugby for 15 years, suffering two scull fractures and several concussions, all as an amateur for no pay! Were I able to risk all those concussions for hundreds of thousands or millions, You bet I would.

By: LJA

LJA — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 14:45:59 +0000

nice article, surprised.

By: lutazanderman

lutazanderman — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 14:44:55 +0000

Fourth, the NFL is a rare, likely the only, avenue for these guys to fame and fortune.

By: mjkelly77

mjkelly77 — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 14:14:14 +0000

Lung cancer doesn’t scare young smokers either.

By: chadmurdigan

chadmurdigan — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 13:53:48 +0000

They may not be concerned now, but the personal injury lawyers are already noting their names because you can bet that they be ready to file in twenty years or so.

There’s only one way to stop all this injury stuff now. No more tackle football, a game played by real men. To stop the injuries, we must stop kickoffs, and all hitting above the soles of the feet.

Truly, it’s time for NFFL.*

*National Flag Football League

By: bleed4philly

bleed4philly — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 13:26:54 +0000

It scared me away

By: melikefootball

melikefootball — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 13:20:21 +0000

Why would it, the promise of big big money and fame over rides possible injury for anyone in football. No one wants any player to be hurt later in life but they picked this career at the age of ten for most, again for money and fame. These players will all join why….money and more money. Is hard to feel sorry or jump on the band wagon for ALL the cases…some have leget rights but no way all that is running to sign up.

By: kingfish4242

kingfish4242 — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 12:43:21 +0000

This is a very well written article Mike. You made several good points and I wanted to expound on one. Young men typically don’t think about their current lifestyle affecting them later in life. That train of though is amplified in uber competitive athletes.

I read an article written a few years after Ben Johnson was stripped of his Gold medal by testing positive for steroids. In the article an anonymous poll was taken among Olympic athletes. The question was if there was a pill that guaranteed a Gold medal,but eventually took 20 years off your life,would you still take it? More than 60% said yes. Scary thought isn’t it?

Troy Aikman has a good point when he says the concussion issue might be the downfall of the NFL, but I don’t think it will ever happen. There will always be plenty of young men willing to risk their long term health to be multi-millionares in their 20′s.

By: derekjetersmansion

derekjetersmansion — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 12:31:43 +0000

They’re also being paid the most money they’ve ever seen in their lives. I’d do a lot of things if I was paid handsomely to do it.

By: jenniferxxx

jenniferxxx — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 12:23:38 +0000

Scare them? It’s like a bonus. After your playing days you can pretend you knew nothing about football being a contact sport … and you can sue the NFL. Hell, if you’re smart you’ll fake concussions every chance you get. Free money … hop on the cash cow and ride.