Essay

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.