Comments on: Time to use our Heads

By: Jen

Jen — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:27:56 +0000

I am taking my cue from Mike Ditka: Take the face masks off of the helmets and players will stop using their heads as spears.

By: IrishGoddess

IrishGoddess — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:39:39 +0000

Drew – glad you penned this one, it’s definitely a sore subject that needs to be rethought. While it is important on the High School level, I think it needs to start from the Pro’s on down. Mostly with retraining the fans to not go all great googli moogli over extra powerful hits, with announcers not making comments about “Well, his kids felt that one…” or “I’m sure you viewers at home heard that hit!” being a decent start.

Keep up the good work, love to get touches of home while in Oregon.

By: Myk-El

Myk-El — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:15:00 +0000

Football isn’t the only sport where this is an issue. I’ll be curious what life is like down the road for Eric Lindros. I’m glad we’re taking it more seriously, but it still may not be serious enough. I watch Australian Rules Football and they have pretty firm rules about high tackles and reckless play. I’m sure the NFL would look quite different if there were penalties even for unintentional hits to the head, but I’m not sure I’m against it.

By: Pat

Pat — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:13:48 +0000

About time someone did this!!! To many ex-players losing thier minds literally!!!!!

By: gene

gene — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:58:22 +0000

Good Morning from Omaha,
Concussions are a plague on football. I remember reading about Mike Webster, the center that played on all those great Pittsburgh Steeler teams in the 70’s. When he died in his early 50’s they found that the injuries to his brain had calcified and that he had lost everything, financially and his humanity. If I remember right his memory of where he lived and who he was was completely gone. they found him at a bus station in Pittsburgh and he didn’t even know who his kids were.
The eagles seem to have it right. Watch what they do with Brian Westbrook. they have a 5 step process to deal with concussions. The first step is, NO headaches for like 48 hours after the diagnoses. they seem to be very cautious in how they deal with the problem of concussions. It might just be a CYA thing but they are looking out for the best interest of the player.
No more rubbing dirt on it and walking it off. they know that there is life beyond football, and high school football coaches should keep things in perspective.
Concussions should be, especially at the high school level, treated with a great deal of care. No more dumb jocks because they have been concussed out of reality.
Strive for excellence, nothing but your best.
Gene