12/21/24
January 27, 2011
The N.F.L. and the concussion crisis: "In the past, it was a style of ball that was three yards and a cloud of dust, so you didn't see too many of these big hits, because there wasn't so much space between players," Steelers All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu said. "I mean, with the passing game now, you get four-wide-receiver sets, sometimes five-wide-receiver sets. You get guys coming across the middle, you get zone coverages. You know, there's more space between these big hits, so there's more opportunity for these big hits."
posted by Mookieproof to football at 06:58 PM - 3 comments
I found This related story from Esquire on Football Outsiders late last night. And I have to say the more I learn about the physical toll football extracts on those who play it, the harder I find it to watch and enjoy.
posted by oxocerite at 10:38 AM on January 28, 2011
In addition to the open-field hits, I think the general increase in player size also has something to do with it.
posted by LionIndex at 05:23 PM on January 28, 2011
There was a scary hit during the Packers/Bears game on Sunday. Helmet to helmet and the commentators said it's amazing he got up.
I wondered for the rest of the game if he was really okay.
Given I'm a pro-wrestling fan and saw what those sort of injuries did to Benoit, it scares me whenever I see stuff like that now.
Hell, I myself have had 3 concussions, 2 serious, over the years, and I'm worried what damage it may have done! And I wasn't getting nailed in the head again before I was fully healed.