Strikes & Outs (err make that Down & Distance)

[parepat]

Originally Posted by waltjp

Again I'll ask, have all the improvements in helmet technology really made the game safer, or does it give the player a feeling in invulnerability and a willingness to hit something with their head?

Maybe it's time to go back to leather helmets, sans the facemask. Sure, there might be a few more broken noses and missing teeth, but that just makes hockey players look meaner.

Improvements? I recently read a scientific study conducted by the Cleveland Clinic which found that modern helmets are only marginally better at protecting players than leather helmets. Then NFL should be throwing bizzillions at this problem.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by parepat

Improvements? I recently read a scientific study conducted by the Cleveland Clinic which found that modern helmets are only marginally better at protecting players than leather helmets. Then NFL should be throwing bizzillions at this problem.

We can argue about whether advanced technologies actually protect any better than the older helmets, but that's not my point.

The question is whether players feel less inhibited about hitting with their heads because they feel that the new helmets protect them better. In other words - Do new helmets give players a false sense of security?

To your point about leather helmets; players knew they'd hurt themselves if they hit something with their heads and they tried to avoid it.

[bossman72]

I think the class action lawsuit has a hidden agenda - broke NFL players looking for a handout. I would love to see who is named in the lawsuit and how much money these guys have now.

The 30 for 30 "Broke" will make you wonder why I'm saying this.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by waltjp

We can argue about whether advanced technologies actually protect any better than the older helmets, but that's not my point.

The question is whether players feel less inhibited about hitting with their heads because they feel that the new helmets protect them better. In other words - Do new helmets give players a false sense of security?

To your point about leather helmets; players knew they'd hurt themselves if they hit something with their heads and they tried to avoid it.

Well, when I started playing football in junior high. Our helmets were like the ones you would get at Xmas with the jersey and pants. The only difference was the plastic was thicker. The inside, and face mask were the same for the most part.

Some of us even got the old wrap around hip pads.