Will the NFL force players to retire due to Concussions in the future? (1 Viewer)

[Shutout]

I was listening to Sirius NFL radio yesterday and the guys (Kirwin/T-Roc) were discussing Jahvid Best and his concussion and they began talking about how they think its plausible that, in the future, the NFL may look to protect itself from all these lawsuits, etc, and as a measure to protect players from themselves, might begin to block players from playing once they reach a concussion-history threshold.

Of course, this would be down the road and I'm sure would meet heavy resistance, but do you guys think its plausible? Can you imagine the impact it would have on football, fantasy football, the way players might lie and hide their injuries, etc? The guys on the show said they already think that guys around the league might be masking their concussions due to how it seems like its almost a standard 1-2 missed games when a player gets one.

 

[Godsbrother]

I was listening to Sirius NFL radio yesterday and the guys (Kirwin/T-Roc) were discussing Jahvid Best and his concussion and they began talking about how they think its plausible that, in the future, the NFL may look to protect itself from all these lawsuits, etc, and as a measure to protect players from themselves, might begin to block players from playing once they reach a concussion-history threshold. Of course, this would be down the road and I'm sure would meet heavy resistance, but do you guys think its plausible? Can you imagine the impact it would have on football, fantasy football, the way players might lie and hide their injuries, etc? The guys on the show said they already think that guys around the league might be masking their concussions due to how it seems like its almost a standard 1-2 missed games when a player gets one.

It is plausible but I expect the first player blocked that still wants to play is going to file a lawsuit.

 

[Quibbler]

It would make for some interesting liability issues.

If the league had a policy like that and a player successfully hid concussions, would the league become liable for failing to adequately enforce its policy?

 

[KCitons]

The problem is you can't say for certain what will or will not happen in regards to concussions in the long run. If the league bans a player for concussions, then they are prohibiting him from making a living, based on an assumption. By the same regards, we should never fly in an airplane, drive a car, or eat foods that are bad for us.

The best thing the NFL can do is make players aware of the effects of every concussion, let the player (along with his doctor) make the sole decision as to whether or not the player continues to play. At that point the Leagues liability should be removed from the equation.

After all, haven't we seen players become paralyzed due to on field hits. It's a violent game and players get paid very well. If they are unwilling to take the hits, then by all means get your degree and pursue another career. (like the other 99.9% of us)

 

[Shutout]

The problem is you can't say for certain what will or will not happen in regards to concussions in the long run. If the league bans a player for concussions, then they are prohibiting him from making a living, based on an assumption. By the same regards, we should never fly in an airplane, drive a car, or eat foods that are bad for us.

The best thing the NFL can do is make players aware of the effects of every concussion, let the player (along with his doctor) make the sole decision as to whether or not the player continues to play. At that point the Leagues liability should be removed from the equation.

After all, haven't we seen players become paralyzed due to on field hits. It's a violent game and players get paid very well. If they are unwilling to take the hits, then by all means get your degree and pursue another career. (like the other 99.9% of us)

That is where I ended up in thinking this out. The NFL basically says "we warned them and they proceeeded against reocmmendation (or signed a waiver) so we're not at fault. I can see that coming down the road. Guys get concussed. NFL puts strict guidelines in place. It gets to a point where the NFL says you can't play. The player protests and/or waives liability. The NFL is clear from all concussion suits going forward.The other part of this conversation that really interests me is the thought that players TODAY are seeing that if a player is concussed, they are pretty much out a week or two. If you're Aaron Rodgers, that's fine. But if you are nay player outside the starting 22 (players 23-46), then you probably feel a certain amount of pressure to not be out of action long and chance someone taking your job as a backup or special teamer. So the incentive to hide your concussion is pretty strong. Do these guys just "suck it up" and try to get away with it? What can the NFL do to try to get people to be honest in reporting something that is not in their best interest to do so?

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

I think they have block Best from playing