Posted on 06/07/2012 11:54:18 AM PDT by Abathar
(CNN) -- A unified lawsuit on behalf of more than 2,000 National Football League players has been filed against the league in federal court, alleging that the NFL failed to acknowledge and address neurological risks associated with the sport and then deliberately failed to tell players about the risks they faced, according to attorneys representing former players.
The complaint, filed in federal court in Philadelphia, unites the more than 80 pending lawsuits filed against the NFL.
"I firmly believe the NFL could have and should have done more to protect Ray. That's why I am seeking to hold the NFL accountable," said Mary Ann Easterling, widow of former Atlanta Falcons safety Ray Easterling, who committed suicide in April after years with dementia. "Having lived through Ray's struggle, I desperately hope and pray others can be spared the pain and suffering we have endured -- and still endure every day."
(Excerpt) Read more at theindychannel.com ...
It is rare you when you see a good tackle using the arms and a shoulder.
Gotta love unions!
Well maybe not.
Actually the "armor plating" is part of the problem...players can use their bodies as battering rams because of their helmets and pads....go back to leather helmets, and they'll start tacking the right way again. I also would impose weight limits on players....the game was better before the days of the 300+ lb behemoths. Good offensive line play is much more a function of good technique than size.
Exactly. The most violent of the collisions today are coached into the player. Very much so in the defensive backfield. They don't tackle anymore, they just collide with the ball carrier as hard as they can. Back in the day, I can remember being taught "always see what you hit" which brought you in upright with your arms ready to wrap the player up. Watch youtubes of Jack Tatum to see the difference.
You mean his hit on Darryl Stingley?
I could argue that with you because these 300+ pounders who play on the offensive lines are cat quick and they don't take a false step.
Now you are right about technique being what it's all about, But these guys are so damn quick off the snap.
Example Joe Gibs hogs and the counter trey which is still used today.
If I were building a team from scratch, I would start by finding the best offensive line coach in the business and pay him whatever he wants. A good offensive line makes any team a contender, regardless of what they have at the skill positions.
There is that one for sure. Tatum's head was up, but there certainly wasn't an attempt to wrap the player up.
I was sitting around a table full of docs this am and we decided to sue because we did not realize that our job would make us come in contact with sick people every day.
You are 100% correct. It all starts with those six guys up front. The skill positions are useless without a good OF line. BTW Joe Bugel is one of the best in the business.
True, I was taught, when I played in HS not to ever use your head when tackling, move the head to one side, hit with the shoulder and hang on with the arms. A few years after I graduated I saw on the news where they were teaching "spearing" in HS football, a dangerous practice for both the tackler and the guy being tackled.
And the attorneys will get the lion’s share.
Let’s see - I hit someone really hard with my helmeted head and my head feels like I’ve been hit with a hammer, and then I keep doing it time after time. Why would that cause me problems?
.jpg)
We had a former NFL player living next door for about 10 years. First house he bought after leaving the Lions, it was early 90s. He was black. He was very careful with his money, bought a modest house that I expect he paid cash for, worked in banking then dabbled a bit in real estate. I think he is a bank vice president now. The family seemed glad to be “settled” and not doing all the traveling any longer. He did have some nice cars, though.
LOL! Great minds! I hadn’t reloaded the thread to see your post before I found mine.
I wasn’t shocked to find that NFL sponsors flag. So it’s maybe like a pilot program! Yikes!
Yikes inded!
Change the whole concept. Play the game with Dwarfs under 100 lbs. ;-)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.