The NFL is willing to award $10 million to those searching for technologies that detect or prevent concussions in football. Many rules have already been changed in the sport, including closer kickoffs and prohibiting aiming for the head when tackling. However, in a sport where half the team’s ability is judged on how hard they can hit, attempts to make it “safe” are somewhat misguided.
While the aim of the game is not to maim, some audience members buy tickets hoping to see a hospitalization — violence has always sparked public interest. Murders and injuries are front page news because journalists know what sells newspapers. Shooting and fighting games make up 3 of Gamefaq’s top 5 video game genres. Historically, gladiator fights were some of the biggest public events and entertainment during the Roman Empire.
After a century, the games have become more civilized and draw considerably less blood, but modern sports and roman gladiators share characteristics.
Shortening the field for kickoffs has made it so nearly half of kickoffs aren’t able to be played, and has also reduced the number of kickoff returns for a touchback — one of the most exciting plays in football — by nearly 60 percent.
This adjustment takes away the importance of special teams players and leaves the audience to watch multiple changes in lineups with less play in between.
The strict rules on helmet to helmet tackling inspires players to hit lower, said Brandon Meriweather, who recently came off suspension for illegal tackling.
After a century, the games have become more civilized and draw considerably less blood, but modern sports and roman gladiators share characteristics.
Shortening the field for kickoffs has made it so nearly half of kickoffs aren’t able to be played, and has also reduced the number of kickoff returns for a touchback — one of the most exciting plays in football — by nearly 60 percent.
This adjustment takes away the importance of special teams players and leaves the audience to watch multiple changes in lineups with less play in between.
The strict rules on helmet to helmet tackling inspires players to hit lower, said Brandon Meriweather, who recently came off suspension for illegal tackling.
“You’ve got to end people’s careers. You got to tear people’s ACLs and mess up people’s knees.” It is now the only effective way to tackle within the limits. Meriweather’s statement has proven true. In 2013, 45 players were afflicted with torn ACLs within eight games, which is already 13 more than the entire 2012 season.
The attempt to cure the long-term wear on the brain has not prevented football players from getting hurt, but merely swapped concussions for a more serious short-term injury.
In the competitive society, athletes constantly push themselves further and further. They practice more, football players have gotten 50 pounds. bigger since the ‘70s, new techniques to increase athleticism have been discovered and in order to break records and compete with modern athletes, danger has increased. Extreme sports are practiced almost exclusively for the adrenaline the chance of getting injured provides. Outstanding athletes have never been stopped by the fear of injury, and many would rather hide being hurt than be taken out of their game.
In the competitive society, athletes constantly push themselves further and further. They practice more, football players have gotten 50 pounds. bigger since the ‘70s, new techniques to increase athleticism have been discovered and in order to break records and compete with modern athletes, danger has increased. Extreme sports are practiced almost exclusively for the adrenaline the chance of getting injured provides. Outstanding athletes have never been stopped by the fear of injury, and many would rather hide being hurt than be taken out of their game.
It is important that equipment advance along with the intensity of the sport, and sensors like the ones students at BYU are developing will help diagnose brain trauma quickly, and at the very least will show players the damage they are risking.
NFL pros are not the only ones affected. Schools should also invest in this kind of technology, so children can be notified as early as possible of the dangers of the sport. There are few technologies that can actually prevent serious injury, but early diagnosis and making sure participants are giving educated consent are worth the extra money.
Football is inherently dangerous, and if it were made to be safe, it would not be football. Until the public no longer has an interest in paying to see hard hits and fights, serious sports injuries will persist, and the only solution is to trust players to know what they are getting themselves into.
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NFL pros are not the only ones affected. Schools should also invest in this kind of technology, so children can be notified as early as possible of the dangers of the sport. There are few technologies that can actually prevent serious injury, but early diagnosis and making sure participants are giving educated consent are worth the extra money.
Football is inherently dangerous, and if it were made to be safe, it would not be football. Until the public no longer has an interest in paying to see hard hits and fights, serious sports injuries will persist, and the only solution is to trust players to know what they are getting themselves into.
[email protected]