How about Bob Costas?

[GeorgeStreet]

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.

Bob Costas says football’s future is grim: ‘This game destroys people’s brains’
Concussion problems will doom the sport, the broadcaster said.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...re-is-grim-this-game-destroys-peoples-brains/

 

[RU05]

Nothing really new there.

But it's not a foregone conclusion, though it is a major concern.

 

[Ataylor1989x]

If the science keeps on suggesting that long term brain damage is likely, would you let your children play the game?

I think we know what the answer will be here on a forum full of heavily invested fans that grew up with the game. But think in terms of the parents of high school kids that can choose from other sports or activities. Eventually, we'll see local high school programs shut down as participation dwindles. Maybe they'll consolidate into regional teams.

That's the only issue with the game that will have substance in the long term.

 

[RUinPinehurst]

Participation is voluntary. It is a violent game, with rules that are regularly modified to make it safer from a player perspective and more enjoyable from a fan perspective and more profitable from an owner/league perspective.

Costas should donate all the $ he made from the game to the NFL players fund. And then STHU.

 

[RUScrew85]

If the science keeps on suggesting that long term brain damage is likely, would you let your children play the game?

I think we know what the answer will be here on a forum full of heavily invested fans that grew up with the game. But think in terms of the parents of high school kids that can choose from other sports or activities. Eventually, we'll see local high school programs shut down as participation dwindles. Maybe they'll consolidate into regional teams.

That's the only issue with the game that will have substance in the long term.

I wonder if we'll see the same thing in sports like lacrosse and hockey - I've heard concussions are a big part of soccer too.

 

[RutgersRockies]

I wouldn’t let my kids play soccer. Don’t want them ending up with irreparable knee damage and concussions.

 

[GeorgeStreet]

I wonder if we'll see the same thing in sports like lacrosse and hockey - I've heard concussions are a big part of soccer too.

Football offensive and defensive linemen and fullbacks bang helmets with opposing players on many plays. I don't know about ice hockey, but there is nothing comparable happening in soccer or LAX.

 

[Caliknight]

I wonder if we'll see the same thing in sports like lacrosse and hockey - I've heard concussions are a big part of soccer too.

You see concussions in lacrosse, but not that often. They’ve also limited contact above the shoulders. Lacrosse gets more knee and shoulder issues. And when you are playing, your arms are beat to crap.

 

[RutgersRockies]

Football offensive and defensive linemen and fullbacks bang helmets with opposing players on many plays. I don't know about ice hockey, but there is nothing comparable happening in soccer or LAX.

http://www.newsleader.com/story/sports/2015/06/25/concussions-soccer-football-wrestling/29268651/

http://usatodayhss.com/2017/new-stu...pita-rate-of-concussions-than-any-other-sport

Think again.

 

[miketd1]

Concussions are one thing. CTE is another.

Studies have shown that CTE is caused by repeated head trauma.

In other words, you may be better off with a handful of concussions than a concussion free career that required the constant banging of your head. At least in terms of CTE...

 

[Abro1975]

Maybe fewer affluent families will let their kids play football , but has long as Football gives many scholarships and football remains the most popular sport in High schools, it won’t be going away anytime soon.

 

[drewbagel423]

Has there been any data collected as to if the danger is lessened at lower levels of competition (i.e. high school and younger) where the players are slower, smaller, and weaker?

 

[cubuffsdoug_rivals]

I wonder if we'll see the same thing in sports like lacrosse and hockey - I've heard concussions are a big part of soccer too.

It's human nature to speak only on topics that are the most popular. Football was under assault at the turn of the century (1900) due to several deaths and major injuries. People called for the sport to end. Rules were changed and the sport grew even bigger. Are the other sports addressing the issue with the ever growing presence of concussions like football?

You bring up a good point about how few people are talking about the injuries from soccer and hockey. Those injuries dealing with concussions are growing as fast or even faster than football.

 

[mikershoein]

Football offensive and defensive linemen and fullbacks bang helmets with opposing players on many plays. I don't know about ice hockey, but there is nothing comparable happening in soccer or LAX.

In football every play involves a hit, in hockey it’s not the same. This is why “the goon” role has been removed from the sport, it looks more European now than ever

 

[Knight Owl]

Hockey has finally begun taking the concussion issue seriously at the professional level. My over-35 hockey league and most of amateur hockey in general doesn't have a concussion problem.

 

[1873]

He's a pinko gun grabber midget from Xcuse. Next.

 

[RUich]

Maybe they should spend more time on designing helmets that really protect the head/brain instead of what color will it be for the next game.
I also think the perception that injuries are more severe today can be directly linked to the size of the players today. Although some say this is not relevant since all of them are bigger and stronger, this is not true for their heads and brains.
Finally, there are always players who are looking to really hurt other players. Simply throwing a flag and assessing 15yds is not enough for those who are intent on inflicting bodily harm. Maybe being banned will stop some of this.

 

[GeorgeStreet]

My guess is that a football helmet would have to be about twice it's current size to effectively reduce brain concussion. Is that managable, even if it didn't weigh more?

 

[G-Bake]

To be fair, the it'll be interesting to see what the research says as time goes on with younger players. All the concussion/CTE data from NFL players are all older players who grew up playing decades ago, right? Equipment technology for safety has only progressed since then. Rules have been made to make the game safer. Seems like kids are waiting longer and longer to start playing tackle football today as well. They can start playing in high school and get D1 scholarships/go to the NFL since much of your stock is based on your size/speed right?

Just playing devil's advocate. It's definitely still an issue that research will only continue to shed light on.

 

[TheB1GTerp]

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.

Bob Costas says football’s future is grim: ‘This game destroys people’s brains’
Concussion problems will doom the sport, the broadcaster said.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...re-is-grim-this-game-destroys-peoples-brains/

He can't retire soon enough, sick of his face caked in make up, he looks like a Michael Jackson like Sandusky.

 

[e5fdny]

In football every play involves a hit, in hockey it’s not the same. This is why “the goon” role has been removed from the sport, it looks more European now than ever

That’s true but guys are getting bigger ans faster all the time plus the extra official on NHL size rinks...things can happen.

Would be nice if it were possible to retrofit rinks to the Olympic/International size.

One of the B1G team’s sheet is that big. Can’t remember which one.

 

[ashokan]

Has there been any data collected as to if the danger is lessened at lower levels of competition (i.e. high school and younger) where the players are slower, smaller, and weaker?

Yes - and there is no proof that football even causes CTE in any large way - at any level. The much maligned "tau protein" that's used to diagnose CTE can be linked to all kinds of things - including alcohol, drugs, diabetes etc.

Unfortunately Americans have grown HIGHLY suggestible to media mentions of "studies" without even seeing if they are junk studies or not. Lots of people from lawyers to academics to politicians have made football (and the toxic males who play it) a mark. Its the "global warming" of sports.

Study of high school players find no link between years of play and decline in neurocognitive function

As more parents consider whether it's safe for adolescents to play football, a new Tulane University study of high school players found no link between years of play and any decline in neurocognitive function.

The results, which were presented at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) in New Orleans on March 14, suggest risks of sport-related brain injuries are relatively low, said lead author Dr. Gregory Stewart, associate professor of orthopaedics at Tulane University School of Medicine.

https://www.news-medical.net/news/2...y-and-decline-in-neurocognitive-function.aspx

 

[scarletschuyler]

TheB1GTerp says: "He can't retire soon enough, sick of his face caked in make up, he looks like a Michael Jackson like Sandusky."

Sounds like you can't relate to someone who speaks clearly and intelligently. Oh wait: are you a terp? That explains it.

 

[MADHAT1]

In the 80s, if memory serves me correct, there was a big push against kids playing football because of injuries attributed to the game and many soccer programs were started in an effort to get kids off the football field and into a less dangerous game.
To me Costas might have a point, but not a good enough one that will cause football to fall by the wayside

 

[Abro1975]

Football will go away as soon as people stop drinking and smoking.

 

[Rokodesh]

A

Football will go away as soon as people stop drinking and smoking.

and being fat

 

[Knightmoves]

I wouldn’t let my kids play soccer. Don’t want them ending up with irreparable knee damage and concussions.

Won’t let your kids play soccer ? Suck it up cupcake. First time I’ve ever heard that in my life.

Maybe Theater Group would be more of an acceptable risk for you ? Yikes.

 

[BigRnj]

Won’t let your kids play soccer ? Suck it up cupcake. First time I’ve ever heard that in my life.

Maybe Theater Group would be more of an acceptable risk for you ? Yikes.

Uh, your sarcasm meter is not working.

 

[vkj91]

It's not even remotely a concern until a kid gets to college at the minimum. More concussions in youth soccer. I had two kids on my team Miss time this season for "concussions". Both happened at school on the playground. That being said, NFL and equipment companies needs to start pouring tens of millions into research and R&D

 

[BoroKnight]

Participation is voluntary. It is a violent game, with rules that are regularly modified to make it safer from a player perspective and more enjoyable from a fan perspective and more profitable from an owner/league perspective.

Costas should donate all the $ he made from the game to the NFL players fund. And then STHU.

WHY?

 

[Extra Point_rivals157299]

The game has been played since 1869 and they didn't even wear proper head gear back then. How come we are just hearing about this now?

 

[1873]

TheB1GTerp says: "He can't retire soon enough, sick of his face caked in make up, he looks like a Michael Jackson like Sandusky."

Sounds like you can't relate to someone who speaks clearly and intelligently. Oh wait: are you a terp? That explains it.

Are you dating Costas?

 

[rubaseball78_rivals]

Football will go away as soon as people stop drinking and smoking.

And betting.

 

[LotusAggressor_rivals]

Participation is voluntary. It is a violent game, with rules that are regularly modified to make it safer from a player perspective and more enjoyable from a fan perspective and more profitable from an owner/league perspective.

Costas should donate all the $ he made from the game to the NFL players fund. And then STHU.

All true, but for decades, the NFL sold and marketed the violence of the game while denying scientific evidence of the physical and psychological toll on the players. In addition, they profited from generations of players who made football the most popular sport in the country without compensating them in anything resembling a fair manner. Perhaps Goodell and the owners should kick in all their money with Bob's.

 

[Pils86]

If I were Goodell I would require outside padding on helmets and everyone wearing knee braces to start. Other standard equipment to follow. It is crazy to see some players out there without even knee pads. I would also make it a penalty to "lift and drive" a player into the turf (see Aaron Rodgers as most recent). I know it will look a little goofy with oversized helmets and extra pads and may slow down and "sissify" the game but there are too many injuries so something needs to change.

 

[applesktrack]

At this point people know the risks. So at this point it's a risk reward. The risk or a shorter life but the possibility of free college and possibly millions of dollars will be worth the risk to many people.

 

[BoogieKnight]

Al Hortford of the Celtics (possibly) suffered his second concussion in as many years earlier this week. Let's end basketball too!

All sarcasm aside, widen the field, make it flag football and call it a day. Helmets will still be required as it will remain a contact sport (anyone who has played competitive flag can tell you it still comes with its share of bumps and bruises). It just won't be a "collision sport" anymore.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

I think if the NFL and NCAA really changed the rules and equipment to reduce head impacts.. people would still watch. Call it pussification or some other macho insult.. but ti probably needs to be done and the game will survive. The helmet is used like a weapon... the equipment elicits a false feeling of invulnerability and players launch themselves like missiles. I'd love to see them try a game with no pads save for those bike-helmets and eye protection.

 

[RUChris]

The game has been played since 1869 and they didn't even wear proper head gear back then. How come we are just hearing about this now?

Science and MRI machines, maybe?

 

[RUChris]

All the people who are saying "people know the risks at this point". Well, that's kind of the point. The "people" in this case are parents who are increasingly saying that their kids have better/safer options than football. If the developmental system dries up, then that's a big problem for football. If it doesn't, we'll likely be dealing with the optics of a system skewing even further towards low income/opportunity kids representing the player pool.