NFL Helmet to Helmet Hits
The National Football League, or NFL, has recently been enforcing strict rules regarding helmet to helmet hits; they are now fining and suspending players who commit vicious tackles or helmet to helmet hits (Johnston, Moore, and Thompson). Although this has been an issue in the past and these rules have been in place for awhile (“Hard Hits in the NFL”), the league has cracked down this season due to three separate players in three different games receiving hard, flagrant blows to the head from opponents on October 17th, during week six of the league’s season (Bell). Some people and many players are upset about these newly enforced rules and believe that the NFL is trying to take away the toughness and violence necessary for good football. However, the helmet to helmet rules should be enforced at high levels because of the injury these hits cause, the bad example they set for younger players, and the bad image they give the NFL.
Helmet to helmet hits are dangerous because of the concussions and sometimes severe head trauma they can cause. Medical research finds that repeated concussions can cause mild traumatic brain injury which could then have long-term effects (Johnston, Moore, and Thompson). Although a player can recover from a concussion over time, most players return to the game soon after a hard hit to the head. Returning to play too quickly is dangerous to the brain, and can cause repeat brain injury and worse symptoms (Johnston, Moore, and Thompson). Research done on brains of deceased football players by Dr. Ann McKee, an associate professor of neurology and pathology at Boston University, found 13 out of 14 brains to have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). McKee comments, “I can say confidently that this is a distinctive disorder that you don't develop in the general population; in fact, I have never seen this disease in any person who doesn't have the kind of repetitive head trauma that football players would have" (King). Her research demonstrates the severe effects of head injuries and why it is important to regulate head to head contact in football. McKee is not the only doctor interested in the helmet to helmet hits; the recent controversy in the NFL was discussed at the brain injury summit held by the Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center as well. Doctors and scientists across the conference approved the league’s enforcement of these rules (Johnston, Moore, and Thompson). It is true that football is a dangerous game, but it shouldn’t be more dangerous than it has to be; it’s the NFL’s responsibility to do everything in their power to protect their players (Davis). It is especially important to protect player’s from head trauma, even more so now that more is known about long-term effects.
Not only doctors and scientists are in agreement with the new rule changes; many NFL personnel, coaches, former players, and football experts are on board as well. NFL football operations executive Ray Anderson commented on the sports radio show “Mike and Mike in the Morning” that the league is trying to protect everybody in defenseless positions from head and neck injuries (Mortensen). The league is not trying to take away big hits completely, but instead are focusing on clarifying which big hits are legal and which are not. Andy Reid, head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, in response to the new enforcement said, “I completely understand and I'm behind what the league's trying to do. I think for the players' sake down the road, we're kind of in a new territory here, and we're learning as we go with concussions and what happens when these guys are done playing football. You want to make sure that you do look at that. And some things will have to change" (Bell). As Reid says, it is important to watch out for the players’ safety and be aware of how hits and injuries will affect their future. On the radio show “On Point with Tom Ashbrook,” host Tom Ashbrook and guests, including many former players, analysts for ESPN, and Dr. Anne McKee, discussed the current controversy. These guests brought to light multiple important points. Players today are bigger, stronger, and faster than in the past; linebackers used to be 250 pounds, but today quarterbacks are around that weight and linebackers need to be at least 300 pounds. With this size player rule changes are needed to keep the game safe. The guests also agreed that there isn’t much the league can do to prevent hard hits, but it is important for the NFL to control the head to head hits because that’s what causes concussions. The players are not trying to tackle anymore, but are trying to hit each other in the head, and egregious head shots need to be eliminated from the game. It was also agreed that the NFL needs to do whatever it can to keep the game and players as safe as they can (“Hard Hits and the NFL”). It is important to protect the players from the dangers of concussions and head injuries, and the enforcement of the rules regarding helmet to helmet hits is a good step towards safer play.
Another reason this new enforcement is positive is the influence the NFL has on younger players. The NFL affects all levels of play—from peewee football all the way through college. Ray Anderson, NFL football operations executive, said that the league is looking to set an example for lower levels by emphasizing safer play because they are the standard-bearer and are committed to safety at the highest level (Mortensen). A coach at the youth level, Brad Wright, agrees, “the NFL understands that they must set the example for the rest of the football universe in making major decisions which impact the safety of players of all ages” (Sitler). Guests on “On Point with Tom Ashbrook” agreed that the NFL sets the tone for the rest of football, making it more important to get rid of egregious head shots. Kids see big hits being glorified on television and want to do the same thing, instead of wrapping up the player to tackle them and learning the fundamentals. (“Hard Hits and the NFL”). Youth coach Jim Penley says, “the problem I see is that lots of kids want those ESPN hits, and put themselves in a lot of trouble when their form is incorrect” (Sitler). The most recent and prime example of the effect on younger players happened October 17th when Rutgers’s defensive tackle Eric LeGrand suffered a severe spinal-cord injury while making a tackle, and is now paralyzed from the neck down (King; Mayo). This incident also spurred the NFL to take more action against helmet to helmet hits in order to make the game safer for younger players and leagues.
The National Football League should regulate violent helmet to helmet hits because not only do they make football less safe, but they also give the NFL and the game a bad image. Prior to this season, defensive players deemed as “headhunters” were praised for their viciousness, and it was seen as “macho” to reenter a game after a head injury, despite what had been discovered about head trauma; even though the league was more aware of the dangers, the culture of the NFL hadn’t changed at all (Westmoreland). This attitude within the league gave the NFL a bad reputation of not doing what they could to protect the players. With the media culture in the U.S., the majority of football fans and others saw the replays of the three devastating hits from week six, and this brought a lot of negative attention to the NFL (“Hard Hits and the NFL”). Even people like Mike Pereira, NFL’s Vice President of Officiating from 2004-2009 and also the league’s Director of Officiating five year prior, were upset by the numerous helmet to helmet hits in week six; Pereira writes, “I am really bothered by the number of helmet-to-helmet hits we saw in Week 6 and the subsequent concussions that were caused as a result of those hits. Some of them were legal, and some were unavoidable. But, plain and simple, they are cheap shots, and the league needs to deal with this immediately” (Pereira). Parents who watch these vicious helmet to helmet tackles might not allow their children to play tackle football, and if this were to happen football would eventually shutdown (“Hard Hits and the NFL”). Sports writer for “Behind the Grid” Glenn Davis agrees that now that the NFL is getting serious about the dangers of concussions, it’s extremely important for them to be strict and enforce rules on the issue. Davis writes, “The league has an image to uphold as well. They’re running the most popular sport in America, and if they’re perceived as not doing all they can to protect those who make them so popular, it’s (understandably) bad PR” (Davis). The NFL is taking a stand to protect their players, and as Ray Anderson puts it, “these devastating hits and head shots will be met with a very necessary higher standard of accountability” (Mortensen). Not holding these players accountable has long given the league a bad image, but with the strict enforcement of the rules regarding helmet to helmet hits, this has been changing for the better.
Although the actions of the NFL are positively regarded by many, not all players and fans are in favor. Those against this movement by the NFL argued that these rules might force defenders to aim lower when tackling, and could cause more knee injuries and career-ending injuries, and making the game even more dangerous. In response to this, Ray Anderson stated, “the league does want to avoid unintended consequences, but must weigh a player's career against the long-term health effects of concussions” (Mortensen). While it is true that many other sports are just as dangerous, or even more dangerous, than football, that does not take away the responsibility of the league to protect its players. The league is not changing rules or trying to change the game; NFL spokesman Greg Aiello clarifies, “The rules already account for devastating hits. What we’re focused on is stricter enforcement of the existing rules and elevated levels of discipline” (Mortensen). The league is concerned with their players and officiating in a way that will protect them.
In response to the belief that stricter enforcement at the national level will help protect younger players, those against argued that coaches should be teaching proper technique at all levels, and that will bring the rate of concussions way down (Westmoreland). People believe that the responsibility lies with the coaches. Although this may be true, it does not mean the NFL should not enforce rules and penalize players who tackle helmet to helmet. Coaches do need to teach correct form, but no matter what the NFL still affects all levels of play. Youth players see these hits praised on stations like ESPN, and in turn want to play that way. The league is taking the right steps in showing younger players that this is not how the game should be played. The culture and fans teach kids to hit this way, so it was necessary for the league to send a clear message—through fines and suspensions—in order to change the culture of football (“Hard Hits and the NFL”). Ray Anderson says, “We will take all the criticism and all the backlash. We are going to protect our players and hopefully players at the lower levels as well by example” (Mortensen). While it is true that all levels of football need to be taught fundamentals of how to tackle, it is still important for the NFL to set the standard and stand up against helmet to helmet hits in order to protect all players at all ages.
Players and fans against this stricter enforcement also argue that the new discipline gives the league a weaker image, which is worse in their opinion. Most players argue that it’s football, it’s a dangerous sport; veteran linebacker Keith Brooking says, “It’s what makes the game so popular. People love the battle! People love the violence!” (King). Steelers’ safety Ryan Clark agrees, stating, “It’s a sad day for the sport. The league has made James Harrison a villain for playing exactly the way he played to earn the Defensive Player of the Year award [in 2008]. I think what we're seeing is a knee-jerk reaction to the result of the hits, not a thoughtful reaction to the reality of the hits" (King). Even the entire Players’ Association was upset about this attempt to make the game safer, and union president Kevin Mawae commented that “the skirts need to be taken off in the NFL offices” (King). Not only are players in disagreement, but many fans are bothered by this new enforcement. Many feel that this is weakening a sport that has glorified big hits, and that it takes away from the toughness of the players (Westmoreland). Guests on “On Point with Tom Ashbrook” took all of this into consideration, but pointed out that fans have a “blood-lust” and it is possible to make the game safer and still have big hits. It was put very well by one guest that “you can have the boom, just not above the shoulders” (“Hard Hits and the NFL”). Youth coach and former player Jim Penley believes, “Yeah, it is football, it’s a physical game,” but he also states, “You have to make sure you balance the integrity of the game, while ensuring that people remain safe…those flagrant hits where someone obviously is taking a cheap shot…should be regulated” (Sitler). It is true that football is a very physical game, but players and fans need to realize that it is possible to have hard hits while protecting the players from head trauma resulting from helmet to helmet hits. Regarding the criticism coming from the league’s actions, Anderson says, “So be it. We’ve got to protect our players from themselves, and we’re going to move aggressively to do so” (King). What it truly comes down to is there are players who believe you cannot officiate violence out of football, and there are NFL executives who believe they have to try (King). The strict enforcement of the helmet to helmet rules is a good initial step to better protecting the players.
Since week six in the NFL, helmet to helmet hits have raised much controversy. Although some players and fans see the enforcement and strict discipline on these hits as weak and ill thought out, it is a much needed and important step in the right direction. The NFL has the responsibility to protect its players, to set an example for younger players, and to maintain a good reputation. With the current research regarding head injuries and concussions, and the change in the athleticism in players, it is especially more important to regulate play and enforce rules that are in the best interest of the player. The league is taking a strong stand, as Anderson says, “We’re not going to be apologetic, we’re not going to be defensive about it” (Mortensen). The strong stand of new enforcement of rules considering helmet to helmet hits is a positive initial step to preventing concussions and head trauma; with this step the NFL is taking responsibility for the safety of all football players and doing what it can to keep the game safe.
Works Cited
Bell, Jarrett. "NFL Replay: Thin line between tough football and player safety." USA Today. USA Today, 09 Nov 2010. Web. 15 Nov 2010. <http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2010-11-09-nfl-replay_N.htm>.
Davis, Glenn. "NFL Now Issuing Suspensions For All Dirty Tacklers." Behind the Grid. Sports Grid, 19 Oct 2010. Web. 15 Nov 2010. <http://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/nfl-helmet-to-helmet-suspensions/>.
"Hard Hits and the NFL." On Point with Tom Ashbrook. WBUR: Boston, 25 Oct 2010. Radio. 29 Nov 2010. <http://www.onpointradio.org/2010/10/hard-hits-and-the-nfl>.
Johnston, Moore, and Thompson, Huntsville Personal Injury Lawyers. "Doctors at Brain Injury Summit Applaud NFL Helmet-to-Helmet Rule." JD Spura. JD Spura, 29 Oct 2010. Web. 15 Nov 2010. <http://www.jdsupra.com/post/documentViewer.aspx?fid=7a2a60fc-2002-45da-b278-5bf5b9e875e2>.
King, Peter. "Concussions: the Hits that are Changing Football." Sports Illustrated 01 Nov 2010. Web. 10 Nov 2010. <http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1176374/1/index.htm>.
Mayo, David. "Can't keep helmet-to-helmet hits out of football, but teams can put safety first." Mlive.com Sports. Michigan Live, 21 Oct 2010. Web. 15 Nov 2010. <http://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/10/cant_keep_helmet-to-helmet_out.html>.
Mortensen, Chris. "Official: Players to be held responsible." ESPN NFL. ESPN.com, 19 Oct 2010. Web. 15 Nov 2010. <http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5702673>.
Pereira, Mike. "Helmet-to-helmet hits mar Week 6." Fox Sports. MSN, 24 Oct 2010. Web. 15 Nov 2010. <http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Helmet-to-helmet-DeSean-Jackson-Zack-Follett-Josh-Cribbs-101710>.
Sitler, John. "Local football coaches tackling helmet-to-helmet hits, head injuries." Local Sports. The Times Observer, Warren, PA, 29 Oct 2010. Web. 15 Nov 2010. <http://www.timesobserver.com/page/content.detail/id/541872/Local-football-coaches-tackling-helmet-to-helmet-hits--head-injuries.html?nav=5010>.
Westmoreland, Sam. "NFL Injuries: Get Rid of Headhunters, You Fix the Game." Bleacher Report. Bleacher Report, 19 Oct 2010. Web. 15 Nov 2010. <http://bleacherreport.com/articles/495719-nfl-helmet-to-helmet-violence-get-rid-of-headhunters-you-fix-the-game>.
NFL football operations executive Ray Anderson told ESPN Radio's "Mike and Mike in the Morning" earlier today that following a weekend of vicious hits to the head the league is going to act.
The league suffered a rash of helmet-to-helmet hits over the weekend. Brandon Meriweather of New England on Todd Heap of Baltimore, Dunta Robinson of Atlanta on DeSean Jackson of Philadelphia and James Harrison of Pittsburgh twice on Cleveland Browns players.
Here is the Meriweather hit.
The league is concerned not only about the hits, but about the attitude of defensive players who are cavalierly shrugging off fines. Former player Rodney Harrison, fined more than $200,000 in his career for excessive hits, exemplified that attitude. He got suspended once for a helmet-to-helmet hit in 2002.
Anderson told "Mike & Mike" that the league feels it must go further to get players to live within the rules.
That likely won't sit well with all defensive players. That feeling has already been expressed by James Harrison, who defended his hits against the Browns.
I would expect that games around the NFL this Sunday will be flag-fests. Anything that even looks like a hit to the head is going to draw a penalty. Like it or not.