Nigel Minter
November 6, 2013
Ms. Nyland
English 151
For
the Love of Head Injuries
Recently there have been reports of many athletes
suffering head injuries. This statement is all across the board talking about
every sport and ranging from every age group. But specifically, the most head
injuries and after effects occur in the NFL. Most people would like to deny
this statement but there isn’t much one can say if the facts are all true. Many
people have been suffering with Alzheimer’s or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
(CTE). Both of these are serious brain diseases that could eventually lead to
death and other self-difficulties in life. Today we will focus on how head
injuries are being addressed in the NFL, positive pre-cautions NFL players are
taking to protect themselves, and look at the improvements that have been made
throughout the system to help protect future and current players. Here is the
real question, Is enough being done to protect NFL players?
Throughout the NFL there are numerous amounts of injuries
that occur but the most popular one is a concussion or head injury. Concussions
occur in many other sports so don’t just think the NFL is a dangerous a sport.
In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
participants in sports and recreational activities sustain 1.6 million to 3.8
million concussions a year (NFL Head Injuries page 2). This was based off of a
national survey. Some worry that this might offset the game of football, well
I’m here to tell you that these problems are being addressed and there is no
need to cancel football. The nurses and team doctors do a wonderful job at
aiding the player and coaching staff. If a concussion is received during a
play, the nurse will have a look at the player and will tell him not go back
in. Before 2007 players could go back in the game even if they did have a mild
concussion. Nurses have made sure that the player does not go back in the game
because they can further injure themselves. Nurses made it clear that
disorientation, short term memory loss, nausea and even a loss of consciousness
during the 30 minutes following the blow will happen. This is why they made it
clear that no one is to re-enter the game after the concussion. This is
definitely a positive step being taken to help reduce head injuries. Also, the
NFL has made gear and equipment better and mandatory. In the 1920s, footballers
were using leather helmets; they switched to fiber shell in 1934. Professional
players have used hard plastic helmets, with inside padding, since 1943, when
helmets were made mandatory (NFL Head Injuries page 3). As you can see the NFL
has been updating and they are ensuring that the game becomes safer to their
players. In 1977, league officials outlawed a technique known as the “head
slap,” in which a player slapped another player on the side of the helmet to disorient
him (NFL Head Injuries page 3). Then throughout recent years the medical
support for players has begun to pick up. In 2007, the league barred any player
knocked unconscious in a game from returning to play during that game (NFL Head
Injuries page 3). Now you can see that there are laws that help to protect the
players in the NFL.
In the NFL it is important that the players make sure to
take pre-cautions while playing. This will only help to make the game safer,
more fun, and more enjoyable. For example, all players had to adjust to the
rule changes that have been adopted. In an interview with PBS’s NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, NFLPA
Executive Director DeMaurice Smith noted that, in response to concern over
concussions, the NFL has worked to cut down on helmet-to-helmet contact (NFL
Head Injuries page 6). This shows that the NFL is doing everything in its power
to create a safer game. It is important that the NFL get positive feedback in
order for them to stay in business. A world without football is like a mouse
without cheese, someone is going to be hungry. By this I mean that the fans
will be hungry and eager to watch a football game in action. Also, since these
rules have been made, the culture of the game has been modified and the players
are beginning to feel it. This means you can tell the players treat each other
more respectfully and you see how there are fewer injuries. Even Justin Tuck
saw that the league and players needed to change. Justin Tuck told the New York Times this, “Guys have to
change their mentality. We’ve got to really start taking care of each other.
There’s got to be something in your mind that says, ‘I shouldn’t be hitting
this guy in his head and leading with my head.’” (NFL Head Injuries page 7).
These were strong and educational words said from Justin Tuck, it is obvious
that he wants the game of football to continue. Many people would salute to
this statement because they know that something has to give in order for the
NFL to continue. After all these changes there hasn’t been a complaint from any
NFL fans saying that the game is too soft to be played. Everyone knows you must
be tough to play football and it is still being shown throughout the modified
and safer game.
Now the league is still making advances to help make the
whole sport safer and to protect the current players. The league has even
offered a blessing to help take care of any former player that was in the NFL
and that has any disabilities. First, the 88 plan was created in order to help
the former players. Many of them complained that they weren’t being offered
enough money. So in favor to make things better they created a new plan.
According to Curran, players who suffer permanently disabling injuries while in
the NFL receive around $110,000 a year, up from $9,000 in 1982. Then the number
of active playing years required for retirement benefits had been lowered by
2007 to three, from five, defenders note. (NFL Head Injuries page 6). As you
can see another major benefit has been added in order to help better the game
of football. Now while you are playing and if you get hurt you will be able to
receive health benefits and money. This is a good quote listed in the article NFL Head Injuries, “Our history shows
that new benefits have been added and existing benefits have been improved on a
routine basis.” (NFL Head Injuries page 6). This is a very strong quote and it
is showing that the people running the NFL have confidence in their program. No
one wants to see this League fall so it is important that everyone sees the benefits
they are offering and the changes that are being made. Also, a man by the name
of Nowinski says that to make the game safer in the future, they should
eliminate contact drills in practice so that there will be less head injuries.
Even in the midst of good progress being made better ideas and progress are
happening.
In conclusion, I am completely for
the NFL making the game a safer one. It’s obvious that they have come up with
new ideas and new rules to help reduce injuries among players in the game. They
even made sure that the health staff got involved with their authority. This
means a nurse can tell a player not to return to a game. This will help make
the game safe. All I can see is the NFL becoming a safer and more responsible
game in the future.
