I have thought for a long time that the NFL should do away with rigid shoulder pads and helmets. I think this would diminish the level of head trauma and other injuries, in a couple of ways. First, there is just less of an impact when two semi-soft objects come into contact. However, maybe the bigger effect will be from the change in player's psychology. If you've played organized football, you know that the equipment is like armor. You feel invincible with that hard helmet and shoulder pads on. This makes it much more likely to hit and tackle with maximum force, often leading with your head. If players were wearing soft shoulder pads and a semi-soft helmet, I think they would naturally dial down the intensity of their hits.
Ok did anyone else find Espinoza airing his mother speaking in bad taste? It was difficult to watch kinda wished the cut away. RIP to one of the all-time greats. Very sad day for football
I've heard it said playing linebacker in the NFL for one game is equivalent to being in a car crash. Football as we know it is going to change.
R.I.P. Mr. Junior Seau. Que En Paz Descanse. He was one of the defensive players I know was most feared and also most respected by others. I truly enjoyed seeing him play. Most of his opponents did say "ow!".
just an fyi... suicide rate post iraq/afgahn wars is twice the national average compared to ex-nfl which is 6 times the national average. prior to the wars ex-military was below the national average.
You're not alone in thinking this. Pads should be there to protect defenseless or exposed players, not enable the contact makers.
What on earth? Were those performing CPR hurt too? Can't be chance that he was struck twice? Was he carrying around a metal pole or something?
There's so many things in the world that the "average" person has to encounter on a day to day basis that are way harder than the above. What I find ridiculous is the current players complaining about punishments the commissioner hands down as a result of things like bountygate, or late hits, or those same players complaining about or bemoaning the changes in rules to make the game "softer". I mean, I guess it's an ok position to take, but don't be complaining after your career is over about health issues and the like. Wasn't there an o-lineman from the Chargers that just decided to retire even though he was medically cleared to play after he suffered a concussion and ensuing seizure, citing concerns about long-term brain damage? I love football, and love watching the hard hits, etc. But my wife and I already decided we just aren't going to let our sons play. I understand its not as violent at the lower levels, and I understand we're not talking about a majority of kids/players, and i understand they could play basketball or another sport and suffer similarly violent injuries, but the probabilities aren't nearly as high there and the idea this just seems like a no brainer to me as a parent.
very sad news.. I met Seau twice. Once at his restraunt in San Diego and once at a charity event. He genuinely seemed like a nice guy who was always smiling and willing to meet and greet fans.
ok, and what about the select few who are still crazy and/or juiced up who don't dial down the intensity of their hits? that's instant death to somebody on the field. i'd put the over/under on that happening to within 2 weeks of implementation.
If true, this explains why he shot himself in the chest. I'm in disbelief, he was one of favorite players of all time. He was always in Chargers training camp teaching the young guns, he was a sweet, genuinely nice guy. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem, folks.
RIP one of my favorite defensive players that i loved watching when I started watching football in the early 90s. As to his death, I'm not going to pretend that concussions are not a big deal. But it could also be that athletes are more than assets, that they suffer from depression like anyone else. For some, football is all they know, once their career is over they have a difficult time adjusting. I mean the most concussed qbs like aikman and young have not attempted to go off the road. But both are still involved in the game in one way or another. I just think that It all adds up...life after football, depression, girl problems and having to pop 30 pills a day just to get out of bed like ex jets, ray lucas. From a personal experience, after chemo treatment years ago, I went into a depression where I didn't go outside for three months straight. Depression is scary. But I also racked a lot of posts on cf so that was good. =) how the game is going to change now? They were already suggesting getting rid of kick returns all together. I can see that gone and punt returns too.
Agreed... the NFL has to change. Can you imagine the lawsuits they will be looking at from 1000's of former players? They have to change the game to make it harder for players to hit as hard as they do. I think you will see slow but consistent changes in the rules... and ultimately as the rules change, you will see what type of player excells in the NFL change...
His brain wont show anything, unfortunately. If there are problems that result from traumatic head injuries, they will take place many, many years after the fact. Shouldnt affect someone like Seau, at least not now. There have been many studies that show no correlation between head injuries and suicide. I think for Seau, life without football was too hard to take...and I feel like him wanting to donate his brain for research (if true), is just a cop out to put the blame on something else. Sad news.
