SmashMouth

44Champs

I totally believe in this. Not sure about for CTE though lol.

If the NFL really wants to prevent CTE, make the players go back to wearing leather helmets. Today's helmets act as more of a weapon than as protective gear.

CheramieIII

Good observation 44. I think the more protection the players get the more invisible they think they are and that's what causes more injuries trying to use their bodies as weapons.

SmashMouth

Soon at the Greenbrier...

rezburna

People were dying on the field from skull fractures with leather helmets. CTE is a work hazard, and those who play the game willingly accept it.

RaginCajun83

there's no cure besides ending the violent collisions during the game, that ain't happening anytime soon

jeanpierre

You have this big, sensitive bundle of nerves, the brain, floating in fluid within a thin membrane, with all that surrounded by calcified bone...

Any time you stop that floating mass suddenly, violently -there's going to be problems...

I will say that improper tackling, specifically leading with the helmet, or spearing, is one of the leading causes for these concussions...

voodooido

We were all taught while playing from the age of 5 yrs old on not to lead with your helmet. Some choose to listen and stay healthy, some choose to become Mohamad Ali. As A LEO I was taught to wear my vest. Some lives are saved because of that. Some choose not to and are killed in the line of duty. You make your choices you have to live by them. An easy way to salve this would be for every player to sign a waiver when signing their contract. If they know it's on them then they may be more carefull.

Rugby Saint II

Rugby players don't seem to have this issue. We play with out helmets and we tackle with our shoulders(using our heads). Get your head behind the ball carrier when you tackle. Proper tackling techniques are essential in such a brutal sport. If you watch a rugby game you will see that unless we are defending at the goal line we typically use the slide tackle. You can't run anywhere if your feet are bound together.

It is rare for professional rugby players to miss a tackle. It is also rare for a tackler or tackled player to get hurt because there are restrictions enforced at the point of tackle.

No tackling above the arm pit.
No dump tackles and no tackling a player in the air.
Nor are you allowed to leave your feet to make a tackle.
And absolutely no jumping onto players on the ground.
These laws are all heavily enforced. As a rugby player and referee our first priority is safety. These laws are covered before each match with both teams that are playing to ensure that they understand and will comply with the laws.

44Champs

I tried to look up some info on this but couldn't find any. I found that there were several deaths due to loose tackling rules (i.e. piling on after the player is down, causing broken neck or punctured lung). My point was that if you take away today's helmet, players will be less apt to lead with their head when making a tackle. Taking away today's helmet protects the tackler as much as it does the one being tackled.

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