Count Bill Parcells among those in favor of the NFL making thigh and knee padding compulsory for players to take the field.
In a conference call with media on Wednesday, Parcells, who will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August, said getting players to wear the proper padding was a “constant battle” for him as a head coach.
“I’m glad that we are enforcing that, because I think that the players sometimes don’t know what’s in their own best interest, and I think wearing proper equipment is definitely in their best interest,” said Parcells, who noted he would fine players for not wearing padding and who was asked specifically about his time with the Giants.
Added Parcells, who also coached the Patriots, Jets and Cowboys: “I’ve seen many, many injuries in my experience that came when proper equipment was not worn and could have been prevented, so I am all for that 100 percent.”
Parcells said in his experience, “the cornerbacks and the receivers were the two positions that I found to be the most flagrant violators. And, it’s a coincidence, but they’re the furthest people from the ball.
“You didn’t usually have to worry about your linemen or a lot of your linebackers or any of the interior people. Even your running backs were pretty careful. But the people on the perimeter of the defense were the ones that I always had the trouble with.”