Mike Ditka: Risk of playing football 'worse than the reward'
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The 1985 Chicago Bears embodied hard-nosed football, but three decades later their equally tough-minded Hall of Fame coach — who once famously declared, "If God had wanted man to play soccer, he wouldn't have given us arms" — is rethinking his game plan.
That's right: Even Mike Ditka is questioning the violent nature of the sport in the wake of advancements in concussion research and his own experience with veterans plagued by health problems.
"If you had an 8-year-old kid now, would you tell him you want him to play football?" Ditka asks Gumbel.
When Gumbel answers that he wouldn’t, he returns to the question to Ditka. Ditka shakes his head no.
"Nope — and that’s sad," Ditka said in the piece. "I wouldn’t. My whole life was football. I think the risk is worse than the reward. I really do."
Dent outlined the team's use of painkillers and alcohol as postgame treatment and describes himself as "damaged goods." Meanwhile, McMahon suffers from early onset dementia and says he understands the suicide of teammate Dave Duerson, who suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/mike-ditka--risk-of-playing-football--worse-than-the-reward-155554897.html
Yep. Grew up playing every day, played on the team in high school, worshipped it throughout my 20s, but I have a hard time with it now, especially with how the pro leagues treat the players as meat.
By YamabroMy son is playing Basketball, Baseball, and Hockey.
Football isn't worth it.
This whole concussion thing has actually given me some respect for hockey people. They moved to put some serious concussion protocols in place in the NHL and major changes were made at the youth level. Some people freaked out, but the comments you guys made just confirms that it's the smartest thing to keep the game going.
The NFL's resistance seems to be entirely based around "but they won't make the cool crunchy helmet sound, we need that."
My buddy at UCLA is researching whether losing the helmet will cut down on concussions. So far it's looking like it does by a lot. It forces the player to hit the correct way instead of the way they hit with pads.
By YamabroMy buddy at UCLA is researching whether losing the helmet will cut down on concussions. So far it's looking like it does by a lot. It forces the player to hit the correct way instead of the way they hit with pads.
I've heard of similar studies, supposedly the safest helmet variation was the mini leather one. Also explains why Rugby has significantly lower head injuries than the NFL since they don't have the illusion of safety that NFL equipment gives players.
By MorisWent over it at length in a post on these forums about 4 months ago.By YamabroMy buddy at UCLA is researching whether losing the helmet will cut down on concussions. So far it's looking like it does by a lot. It forces the player to hit the correct way instead of the way they hit with pads.
I've heard of similar studies, supposedly the safest helmet variation was the mini leather one. Also explains why Rugby has significantly lower head injuries than the NFL since they don't have the illusion of safety that NFL equipment gives players.
Rugby (both league and union) have concussion problems, but they're a lot more targeted. And not of the same scale. And most of it seems to come back to 2 points: 1. there is a genuine aerobic component to rugby that puts a natural balance onto physicality. 2. The contact zone in rugby is so highly and tightly controlled.
The minor 3rd point is, in rugby, most contact is made with both players knowing it's about to happen. The shots from behind in Grid Iron don't allow for the player to brace correctly. That's purely speculative.
"If God had wanted man to play soccer, he wouldn't have given us arms"
LoL, that's such a manly quote! One of my old teammates from HS is a soccer coach. I might use this.
My oldest son is a featherweight. I don't see him playing football. He's got handle and hustle on the court though. My youngest is built like a tank, but he's too gentle and too stubborn. I was hoping my boys would play football but first of all, we live in the north where it's not a religion, and secondly, they would probably just get hurt, and I'm not talking about concussions.
LoL, that's such a manly quote! One of my old teammates from HS is a soccer coach. I might use this.
My oldest son is a featherweight. I don't see him playing football. He's got handle and hustle on the court though. My youngest is built like a tank, but he's too gentle and too stubborn. I was hoping my boys would play football but first of all, we live in the north where it's not a religion, and secondly, they would probably just get hurt, and I'm not talking about concussions.
My dad and I already decided that little brother isn't going anywhere near a football field. Even though the kid is damn near as tall as me at 11 years old (He's gonna end up being 6'4 at the very least).
I haven't been counting concussions, but I know that in middle school and high school alone I got 3 playing football.
I haven't been counting concussions, but I know that in middle school and high school alone I got 3 playing football.
By DY_nastyMy dad and I already decided that little brother isn't going anywhere near a football field. Even though the kid is damn near as tall as me at 11 years old (He's gonna end up being 6'4 at the very least).
I haven't been counting concussions, but I know that in middle school and high school alone I got 3 playing football.
God damn. Does that ever scare you now that we know what we know about concussions?
Dy's chances of suicide are already higher than average due to his military background. Don't make him dwell on it too much.
By YamabroTeach them to skate and play Hockey.
eew.
If my sons became gymnasts, it would be more entertaining.
By Zero ToleranceBy YamabroTeach them to skate and play Hockey.
eew.
If my sons became gymnasts, it would be more entertaining.
Hockey is the most entertaining sport in the world.
