What we miss when we go after football

[Jilly_in_VA]

Collisions, tackles and high-impact hits are nothing new in football. But America wasn't prepared to witness Monday night's tragedy, when Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest following a tackle. The 24-year-old collapsed suddenly on the field, causing the NFL to suspend the game. Doctors said Thursday that Hamlin was making substantial progress and his neurologic condition and function are intact.

The play, according to sports experts, appeared to be routine. "It's something that could have occurred to anyone on the field," says Brian Turner, Xavier University of Louisiana psychologist and former college football player.

Yet, it’s rare that a player collapses with cardiac arrest so millions were shocked, players traumatized, as medical personnel used CPR on an unconscious Hamlin for nearly 10 minutes.

Along with an outpouring of support, the shocking injury was a wake-up call to some viewers regarding the "violence" of contact sports. "The View" co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin weighed in Wednesday, saying she now would not "want (her) boys to play football."

It's a longstanding debate – but one that sports psychologists say is typically oversimplified.

"Football certainly poses risks, but I have a hard time saying any sport or physical activity is 'bad' and 'dangerous' as a global statement," says Lindsay DiStefano, department head and professor in the University of Connecticut's Department of Kinesiology.

Every sport comes with challenges, both physical and mental. It's something athletes, coaches and professionals take into consideration to protect the team. But those who have the privilege to minimize football as "sheer violence" are overlooking its significance, experts say: For many, it's a chance to use your athleticism to achieve an education. To make money. To change your life.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2023/01/06/damar-hamlin-injury-nfl-football-safety-debate/10994893002/

This is a really thoughtful article. As the mom and now grandma of athletes and a retired cardiology RN, I urge everyone to read it.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

1. I recommend watching the movies 'Free Solo' or 'Man on a Wire' sometime for perspective (nt)

[WeAreTheMysterons]

2. If the hit caused the cardiac arrest, it was one in a billion.

That was just a normal hit.

Having said that, football has become too violent. These players are so much bigger than they used to be and joints and cartilage paying the price

[2naSalit]

3. It's far more than an individual's cartilage and joints...

Paying the price.

My arguments against football would surely bring on a flamefest among those enamored of the "game".

One statement in the article was meant to argue against the football detractors can also be used to illustrate an introduction to my argument against it.

experts say: For many, it's a chance to use your athleticism to achieve an education. To make money. To change your life.
(emphasis added)

We have institutionalized violence, this "game" being one of the methods of doing so, much to the detriment of our social fabric by also promoting the tribalism that avails violence on more occasion than not. Everything about this"game" is in opposition to what our country professes to be yet exemplifies the very hypocrisy of our claims as a free and fair nation of peace as well. Quite the paradox.

[Casady1]

4. They hardly wear pads anymore

Go look at the pad and shoulder pads they used to wear.

[rsdsharp]

7. You're correct regarding knee and thigh pads, but wrong about shoulder pads.

Shoulder pads are certainly lower profile than they were in the 60s, 70s, 80s and even the 90s. However, they are as effective, if not more so. Most have integral pads to protect the lower back and kidneys. Some have rib protection that make flak jackets unnecessary.

The major difference is in helmets and face masks. When I played high school football in the 70s, the standard helmet — at virtually every level — was the Riddell TK. It was a suspension helmet. There was a webbed “headband” riveted to the interior of the helmet. The only real pads were the cheek pads. Many players, even in the pros, wore two bar plastic face masks; some even wore a single bar; Tommy McDonald wore none at all.

Today, helmets are heavily padded inside. In the early 90s I had a helmet made of my favorite college team. There isn’t much difference between the shell of that helmet, and the one I wore in the 70s. But it weighs 3-4 times more due to the padding. In addition, it’s equipped with a large, rubber coated, steel cage face mask.

Helmet technology has advanced since I had that helmet made. Portions of the helmet can flex to spread impact. The interior padding can now be custom made to fit to specific player wearing it. But they are all heavy, and even kickers wear some form of cage mask. They do a better job of protecting, but they also embolden players. That, coupled with the fact that players are bigger and faster, contributes to even more head injuries.

A number of years ago, a clothier in my town advocated for the return of the days of no face masks. He had played in the Big 10 in the 40s and 50s, and briefly for the Packers after that. His point is that if player’s faces were vulnerable, they would stop leading with the head.

I don’t think we need to go that far, and rules have been enacted to discourage the practice, but it is still a problem. I don’t know what the answer is, but more padding really isn’t it.

[Casady1]

8. my friend played for Hillsdale

and was invited to the NFL combine. He ran a 4.4 and is white. He is quite the athlete. He is in the top 10 HR hitters in Michigan high school sports and PG on his basketball team. I called him about that and he said he can't believe how little padding people play with. I think today's shoulder pads don't protect the chest like the old ones.

[Auggie]

5. Replay officials should monitor for personal fouls. Packers DT Jarran Reed got away with a big one.

Packers LB Quay Walker was ejected from Sunday Night's game for shoving a Detroit trainer. It was the correct call.

But the call that wasn't made was the play that brought the trainer onto the field: the unpenalized forearm to the head of Lion's running back D'Andre Swift Swift by Packers defensive tackle Jarran Reed.

Reed should have been ejected as well. And suspended several games into next season without pay. It was an intentional blow to the head and potentially career-ending.

One official can watch the game from the booth.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35410180/packers-quay-walker-ejected-shoving-lions-medical-staffer

[packman]

6. And George Carlin's views on Football vs. Baseball