Posted on 04/11/2005 11:35:03 AM PDT by WinOne4TheGipper
Former NFL defensive lineman Al Lucas died on Sunday from a presumed spinal cord injury sustained while trying to make a tackle for the Los Angeles Avengers during an Arena Football League game, the team said.
Lucas was taken to California Hospital and all attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, team physician Dr. Luga Podesta said in a statement. Members of the team were prohibited from speaking to the media after the game. A call to a California Hospital spokesman was not returned.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.foxsports.com ...
I expected this in Arena Football, though. Stupidest sport going, in my opinion.
I agree. I like football in general, but can't bring myself to sit through an Arena game. It just seems to me to be more XFL than NFL, but without the (almost naked) cheerleaders.
Why? In what ways is Arena Football inherently more dangerous than NFL football? I know in Arena football, most of the players play both offense and defense, so they're exposed to more plays, and theoretically could become more fatigued. Anything else?
The vertical sideline is what would worry me.
I didn't see the play where he was injured, but I have always thought that the 'boards' (for lack of a better term) were a bad idea (from what I understand, Arena Football is played in hockey arenas in most cities - the barrier that keeps the puck on the ice I would think could lead to spine compression injuries when someone goes head-first into the padding/fiberglass).
In looking at the replay, he did the one thing you are coached from the first time you put a helmet on NOT to do. Go in for a tackle with your head down.
GREAT TAGLINE!
He was injured in the middle of the field during a normal (for football) play. The Guard came at him, then the FB and then the ball carrier.
In the AFL the boards are made out of 10-15 inch foam before the actual boards.
This is just a freak accident which could have happened just as easily in the NFL.
I can't bring myself to watch the replay, but from the verbal description, you are right, the boards had nothing to do with it.
People are killed playing football all the time. It is only a matter of time before this happens in the NFL.
They need to start throwing the flag again for spearing. You see guys hitting helmet first all the time in the NFL, it's inevitable this tragedy will be repeated there as well.
It's as if he's never heard anyone say that before.
Hey, I don't follow the sport. I was just asking! I wasn't aware of the boards until it was brought up in this discussion.
Perhaps the NFL should have the players go back to wearing leather helmets. Maybe then players wouldn't be so bold as to try to spear another player.
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