[Husker] A few things

[Nick Chevance]

> Helmet to helmet contact on the line of scrimmage isn't the issue. That's
> not where you see the violent collisions that result in concussions. It's
> the desire for the "decleater" type of block or tackle in the open field.

> Greg Zimmerman, UNL '75
> Overland Park, Kansas

But that's exactly where a lot of the NFL research is going (see Steve
Borer's comment after this).  Their concern for some time now has been
the small incremental blows to the head that result in brain injury.
That's lead to considerable changes to helmet technology.  Interior
linemen in the NFL have a far greater risk of long term injury.  On
the other hand, the NFL has most recently been dealing with the
intentional helmet-to-helmet through fines and other discipline.  But
they aren't considering doing away with all head-to-head contacts;
that's not possible and provide the public with the sport that is
worth billions.

And Greg brings up another issue: helmet-to-ground contact probably is
responsible for many injuries, but you can't suspend/fine/discipline
the ground.  You can provide surfaces, like FieldTurf that probably
cushions the players as much as possible without making them run
around on something like a MoonBounce surface.

I don't want to see another person injured in any fashion, but I just
can't see the sport surviving an outright ban on all helmet-to-helmet
contact.  As sad as it may be, injury is likely to happen, some very
bad.  The question then becomes, are the players willing to make that
decision, or capable to decide what they do may have dire
consequences?  I might, had I had the slightest shred of talent and
skill that would have kept me on the field beyond high school.  But
frankly I didn't have enough of either to even be on the field then.
But I do love the sport, and I'd hate to see it end.

There's no easy answer here.

Nick


-- 
“It isn't necessary to have relatives in Kansas City in order to be unhappy.”
          Groucho Marx