Football Football Players are not Disposable Assets - Page 2

Direckshun · 10-28-2014, 03:29 AM

http://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2014...posable-assets

Football Players are not Disposable Assets
Jahleel Addae’s injury last night was a wake-up call. For NFL fans, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to love a game which shows so little concern for the players which make it all possible.
By Jeff (sliderockmpc) @JeffSiniard
on Oct 24 2014, 1:00p

I didn’t notice the plays as they happened. It was early in the 4th Quarter, after I was three beers in and screaming at the TV when the referees hosed Eric Weddle on a goal line interception. That's when I saw the second hit which left Chargers’ SS Jahleel Addae seriously impaired on Twitter. I re-watched the play a few times, mostly because I wanted to be sure what I was seeing. Yes, I understand that Addae was diagnosed with stingers and not concussions.

My interest in the outcome of the game dissipated after viewing the play. I felt dirty. I felt dirty wearing a San Diego Chargers jersey. I felt dirty continuing to watch the game. I felt dirty thinking about how I’m going to get smoked in Fantasy Football again this week because I can’t field healthy lineups. I felt dirty thinking about the "Next Man Up" mantra, and everything it implies.

I thought back to Kris Dielman, and the PBS special I watched about how the NFL handled the concussion issue. I thought about how Mike Shanahan allowed Robert Griffin III back onto the field of a playoff game. I remembered Kevin Mawae’s hit on Shawne Merriman – a hit which essentially destroyed a potential Hall-of-Fame career.

For the first time ever, I seriously considered quitting football completely. For one reason above all others – football players are disposable assets.

They are disposable assets to the team they play for, they are disposable assets to players on other teams, they are disposable assets upon which tremendous amounts of wealth are generated for very small groups of people, and they are disposable assets to fans, unless they produce winning teams and huge stats for what’s essentially a computer game.

I hate all of this – I was raised in a football loving family, and I hate how the NFL, its teams, owners, some of its players, and many of its fans have come to view the players which make it possible as disposable.

--

Back to the image of Addae staggering around on the field, with what was diagnosed as a neck stinger. It amazes me that no one on the field, nor anyone on either sideline, stopped what they were doing and got him the hell off the field immediately. The fact that he suffered a huge hit earlier in the game, which appeared very serious, made it even worse.

I fully understand the desperation of the player to play. Never mind the negative reinforcement like the kind I described above. Imagine the feeling of letting someone in your family down, multiplied by an entire roster and coaching staff. No words need to be said, no shady machinations of the Bud Kilmer variety are required. All it takes is an exasperated sigh from the defensive coordinator, or a glimpse of the replacement player getting beat for a touchdown, or an eye roll from a teammate to feel the crushing disappointment.

Now, add in the fear which comes from watching your replacement perform well. The desperation which comes with proving you, and not the guy next to you or behind you, are the best option. The fear which comes when you’re hurt and watching someone else do your job… and do it well. Imagine seeing the nodding and smiling of coaches when they see a solution to your injury, which doesn’t involve you getting healthy immediately. The paranoia which comes from thinking you might be getting your last paycheck, and the desperation with which you’ll act to protect that paycheck – especially an undrafted rookie on a small contract. Who’s holding you off the field? Would you say whatever you had to say to get back on the field?

---

Everyone is at fault.

Addae was not kept off the field, and he very clearly should have been kept off the field. This tells me one thing; some of Addae’s teammates and opponents, the Chargers as an organization, and the NFL as a league viewed him as a disposable asset. Last, as a fan who continues to watch the games, this makes me complicit in some way.

Complicit in deciding that a Human Being had no value, other than to help other people generate vast sums of money.

Some of this responsibility is on the players and the NFLPA. Players have the option to wear helmets specifically engineered to reduce to risk of concussions, but many choose not to do so. Players can wear mouth guards, but many choose not to do so. And for crying out loud, players simply have to stop hitting helmet first. It may produce big hits, but they also make serious head and neck injuries more likely, not to mention missed tackles from not wrapping up the ball carrier. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention players who take cheap shots at other players, under the false guises of "toughness" and "doing what it takes to win."

As for the NFL, the league could take a number of giant steps forward, but it chooses not to do so. The NFL has levied fines for wearing too much eye black, or using the football as a prop in a TD celebration. Yet the NFL does not mandate that all players wear helmets designed to reduce concussions. It does not mandate that players use mouth guards. The NFL does not ban cut-blocking. It does not kick players out of the league who willfully injure other players, and only temporarily bans coaches who actively encourage their players to hurt other players.

The NFL allows teams to hire their own doctors and training staffs – ignoring the obvious conflict of interest. The NFL chooses not to expand rosters, or allow for additional active players on game day to reduce the possibility of injured players being pushed or rushed back onto the field. The NFL wants to expand the schedule to include more games, but not more bye weeks, and persists with the horrendous Thursday night games – which don’t allow for the type of rest players need between games.

Lastly, on some level, this is also my fault. I continue to watch the games, even knowing there are elements which I don’t like. I continue to buy jerseys, even when the team I cheer for acts horrendously. I think to myself I am lucky when a Fantasy Football opponents’ team is ravaged with injured players.

Jahleel Addae’s injury last night snapped me out of my waking slumber. For me, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to love a game which shows so little concern for the players which make it all possible.

While I hope I’m wrong, and it’s a choice I haven’t yet made, I am at least forced to consider now that sometimes the best thing you can do for something you love is to walk away.

Why Not? · 10-28-2014, 07:59 AM

Thousands of people get hurt at work daily. I'm supposed to give more of a shit about the ones that get hurt playing football? And give up the game? This article should find it's way to a cyber Ebolaids Fire.

Strongside · 10-28-2014, 08:11 AM

Jesus Christ. The game is about as safe as it can be at this point. Society is turning into a bunch of sensitive, politically correct, weak ass hippies. It baffles me that no one stops to consider the fact that these guys know what they are getting themselves into by stepping onto that field. They could literally be killed. Hell, I had to sign a waiver during Monday Night Football acknowledging that I knew I COULD BE KILLED BY STANDING ON THE SIDELINE. It's no different than a man/woman stepping into the octagon in the UFC, or Floyd Mayweather stepping into the ring. It's no different than a NASCAR driver strapping their self into a machine that could, literally, kill them at any moment. It's no different than a jockey hopping onto the back of a race horse that is essentially still a wild, and unpredictable animal. It's no different than working a trade labor in dangerous conditions...these people know exactly what they are signing up for when they choose to do this for a living. Now, does that mean that their employers should not take steps to make the job safer for the employees? Not at all. But when NASCAR developed a problem with people dying on the track, they made the equipment and the tracks safer, they didn't ban the sport. And I sure as shit didn't feel 'dirty' watching a race after some of the deaths/injuries that have occurred in the past. Are some sports a bit barbaric? Yes. But that is the root of their appeal. We are barbaric by nature. If you don't want to watch the game that's been played by men who knew the risks they were taking for the last 80 years, then don't watch. It's that simple. Don't bitch to the point that you take away these guys' ability to play the game that they love, and that they are fully aware of the risks involved in. That hit, like the gif below, is the result of men who are professionals both talent-wise and fundamental-wise performing at 100% of their ability...they know what the risks are.

**Mav** · 10-28-2014, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buehler445

This is reeruned for several reasons.

First, the Rookie Minimum Salary is 420,000. I take a considerable amount of personal risk for far less than that.

Second, the accountant in me cannot stand the term disposable asset. Does not exist. Can't exist, by definition

Third, **** this mother****er for whining about Roidman getting hit. That cocksucking sister****ing mongoild piece of ****ing rat shit picked up Holmes and dropped him on his head. And if you remember the play its pretty tough to defend it not being on purpose. FFS the dude knock named himself lights out. That ****ing cum dumpster gets absolutely no sympathy from me.

I was thinking along these lines. Nfl minimum players make more in two weeks, than I made in an entire year while deployed.

**Mav** · 10-28-2014, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strongside

Jesus Christ. The game is about as safe as it can be at this point. Society is turning into a bunch of sensitive, politically correct, weak ass hippies. It baffles me that no one stops to consider the fact that these guys know what they are getting themselves into by stepping onto that field. They could literally be killed. Hell, I had to sign a waiver during Monday Night Football acknowledging that I knew I COULD BE KILLED BY STANDING ON THE SIDELINE. It's no different than a man/woman stepping into the octagon in the UFC, or Floyd Mayweather stepping into the ring. It's no different than a NASCAR driver strapping their self into a machine that could, literally, kill them at any moment. It's no different than a jockey hopping onto the back of a race horse that is essentially still a wild, and unpredictable animal. It's no different than working a trade labor in dangerous conditions...these people know exactly what they are signing up for when they choose to do this for a living. Now, does that mean that their employers should not take steps to make the job safer for the employees? Not at all. But when NASCAR developed a problem with people dying on the track, they made the equipment and the tracks safer, they didn't ban the sport. And I sure as shit didn't feel 'dirty' watching a race after some of the deaths/injuries that have occurred in the past. Are some sports a bit barbaric? Yes. But that is the root of their appeal. We are barbaric by nature. If you don't want to watch the game that's been played by men who knew the risks they were taking for the last 80 years, then don't watch. It's that simple. Don't bitch to the point that you take away these guys' ability to play the game that they love, and that they are fully aware of the risks involved in. That hit, like the gif below, is the result of men who are professionals both talent-wise and fundamental-wise performing at 100% of their ability...they know what the risks are.

I would rep this 1000 times if I could

Direckshun · 10-28-2014, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mavericks Ace

I was thinking along these lines. Nfl minimum players make more in two weeks, than I made in an entire year while deployed.

Therefore... **** 'em?

**Mav** · 10-28-2014, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Therefore... **** 'em?

No. Not **** em. It's just difficult to hear a fan get so over sensitive about this stuff.

I played football, I saw horrific things, I saw a teammate folded up like a pretzel and every ligament destroyed in his knee.

Not once did I consider walking away from the game.

When he was carted off the field, he didn't tell us to quit, he told is, and I quote, "you guys better win this mother ****ing game."

Football is a beautiful, violent, ruthless game, and every player that plays it understands that.

So, no, not **** em. **** the author of this abortion of an article. And I don't mind that you posted it. What do you think of it?

jd1020 · 10-28-2014, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Therefore... **** 'em?

Am I suppose to give a shit about a player that willingly went back into the game after receiving a concussion only to get concussed again?

vailpass · 10-28-2014, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mavericks Ace

No. Not **** em. It's just difficult to hear a fan get so over sensitive about this stuff.

I played football, I saw horrific things, I saw a teammate folded up like a pretzel and every ligament destroyed in his knee.

Not once did I consider walking away from the game.

When he was carted off the field, he didn't tell us to quit, he told is, and I quote, "you guys better win this mother ****ing game."

Football is a beautiful, violent, ruthless game, and every player that plays it understands that.

So, no, not **** em. **** the author of this abortion of an article. And I don't mind that you posted it. What do you think of it?

This here...

Direckshun · 10-28-2014, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mavericks Ace

No. Not **** em. It's just difficult to hear a fan get so over sensitive about this stuff.

I played football, I saw horrific things, I saw a teammate folded up like a pretzel and every ligament destroyed in his knee.

Not one did I consider walking away from the game.

When he was carted off the field, he didn't tell us to quit, he told is, and I quote, "you guys better win this mother ****ing game."

Football is a beautiful, violent, ruthless game, and every player plays it understands that.

So, no, not **** em. **** the author of this abortion of an article. And I don't mind that you posted it. What do you think of it?

The problem is that you're getting unnecessarily defensive about an author that you almost certainly agree with.

Neither you nor he want the sport to become flag football.

Neither you nor he want the violence removed from the sport.

Neither you nor he want the sport to go without reasonable protections for its players.

His ideas for reasonable protection: expand the roster, take team physicians off the team's payroll, offer more roster protection for legitimately injured players, and bring unforgivable, extreme retribution on any team violating head trauma protocol. The lack of these things means players will get shoved back out on the field and/or desperately want to get back on the field before they're ready.

I think those are extremely reasonable, and I think you probably do too. You just found the OP emo and you're shitting your pants over it.

That's fine. Everybody needs a hobby. But I think the reforms discussed make sense.

Direckshun · 10-28-2014, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd1020

Am I suppose to give a shit about a player that willingly went back into the game after receiving a concussion only to get concussed again?

Yes. You are supposed to care about him.

jd1020 · 10-28-2014, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Yes. You are supposed to care about him.

Sorry, I dont.

Direckshun · 10-28-2014, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd1020

Sorry, I dont.

No shit.

temper11 · 10-28-2014, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Therefore... **** 'em?

Who is saying **** 'em? I think the league is doing just about everything possible to protect these players.

**Mav** · 10-28-2014, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

The problem is that you're getting unnecessarily defensive about an author that you almost certainly agree with.

Neither you nor he want the sport to become flag football.

Neither you nor he want the violence removed from the sport.

Neither you nor he want the sport to go without reasonable protections for its players.

His ideas for reasonable protection: expand the roster, take team physicians off the team's payroll, offer more roster protection for legitimately injured players, and bring unforgivable, extreme retribution on any team violating head trauma protocol. The lack of these things means players will get shoved back out on the field and/or desperately want to get back on the field before they're ready.

I think those are extremely reasonable, and I think you probably do too. You just found the OP emo and you're shitting your pants over it.

That's fine. Everybody needs a hobby. But I think the reforms discussed make sense.

I don't think necessarily that I'm defensive. I don't pretend to know anything about you as a person, but if you aren't a soldier or weren't then I'll explain it like you wouldn't know, but aside from the mental issues that come along with war, I have a ****ed up back, I received a concussion while in country, i have severe depression, and anger issues, still to this day despite several hundred hours of therapy and medications still have nightmares.

Yet despite all of that, it still took me 3 years to get a 50 percent disability rating from the VA. That's probably more of the **** em attitude that perhaps you were sensing.

I am all for safety. I have a 3 year old son who I can't wait to hopefully watch play football and of course I don't want to see him hurt. I do understand the risks, and I understand your point as well. And the guy has a point, but his emo I might quit this sport thing did irritate me.

Haha.

KCCHIEFS27 · 10-28-2014, 08:59 AM

Okay, for one. The Broncos had NOTHING to do with trying to hurt this player. Misleading article title.

For two, this guy has some very poor tackling techniques and procedures. Who runs straight into a pile when the guy is being tackled and pushed down by huge lineman and linebackers? Poor judgment. On the first one, if he runs through the play, as they teach. Atleast that's what I was taught. Just like running backs, tacklers are supposed to finish through the play and not take the hit.

Three, I bet in a week or two these same guys are critiquing the Chargers secondary for playing poorly.

10-28-2014, 03:29 AM
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4133447	Football Players are not Disposable Assets http://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2014...posable-assets Football Players are not Disposable Assets Jahleel Addae’s injury last night was a wake-up call. For NFL fans, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to love a game which shows so little concern for the players which make it all possible. By Jeff (sliderockmpc) @JeffSiniard on Oct 24 2014, 1:00p I didn’t notice the plays as they happened. It was early in the 4th Quarter, after I was three beers in and screaming at the TV when the referees hosed Eric Weddle on a goal line interception. That's when I saw the second hit which left Chargers’ SS Jahleel Addae seriously impaired on Twitter. I re-watched the play a few times, mostly because I wanted to be sure what I was seeing. Yes, I understand that Addae was diagnosed with stingers and not concussions. My interest in the outcome of the game dissipated after viewing the play. I felt dirty. I felt dirty wearing a San Diego Chargers jersey. I felt dirty continuing to watch the game. I felt dirty thinking about how I’m going to get smoked in Fantasy Football again this week because I can’t field healthy lineups. I felt dirty thinking about the "Next Man Up" mantra, and everything it implies. I thought back to Kris Dielman, and the PBS special I watched about how the NFL handled the concussion issue. I thought about how Mike Shanahan allowed Robert Griffin III back onto the field of a playoff game. I remembered Kevin Mawae’s hit on Shawne Merriman – a hit which essentially destroyed a potential Hall-of-Fame career. For the first time ever, I seriously considered quitting football completely. For one reason above all others – football players are disposable assets. They are disposable assets to the team they play for, they are disposable assets to players on other teams, they are disposable assets upon which tremendous amounts of wealth are generated for very small groups of people, and they are disposable assets to fans, unless they produce winning teams and huge stats for what’s essentially a computer game. I hate all of this – I was raised in a football loving family, and I hate how the NFL, its teams, owners, some of its players, and many of its fans have come to view the players which make it possible as disposable. -- Back to the image of Addae staggering around on the field, with what was diagnosed as a neck stinger. It amazes me that no one on the field, nor anyone on either sideline, stopped what they were doing and got him the hell off the field immediately. The fact that he suffered a huge hit earlier in the game, which appeared very serious, made it even worse. I fully understand the desperation of the player to play. Never mind the negative reinforcement like the kind I described above. Imagine the feeling of letting someone in your family down, multiplied by an entire roster and coaching staff. No words need to be said, no shady machinations of the Bud Kilmer variety are required. All it takes is an exasperated sigh from the defensive coordinator, or a glimpse of the replacement player getting beat for a touchdown, or an eye roll from a teammate to feel the crushing disappointment. Now, add in the fear which comes from watching your replacement perform well. The desperation which comes with proving you, and not the guy next to you or behind you, are the best option. The fear which comes when you’re hurt and watching someone else do your job… and do it well. Imagine seeing the nodding and smiling of coaches when they see a solution to your injury, which doesn’t involve you getting healthy immediately. The paranoia which comes from thinking you might be getting your last paycheck, and the desperation with which you’ll act to protect that paycheck – especially an undrafted rookie on a small contract. Who’s holding you off the field? Would you say whatever you had to say to get back on the field? --- Everyone is at fault. Addae was not kept off the field, and he very clearly should have been kept off the field. This tells me one thing; some of Addae’s teammates and opponents, the Chargers as an organization, and the NFL as a league viewed him as a disposable asset. Last, as a fan who continues to watch the games, this makes me complicit in some way. Complicit in deciding that a Human Being had no value, other than to help other people generate vast sums of money. Some of this responsibility is on the players and the NFLPA. Players have the option to wear helmets specifically engineered to reduce to risk of concussions, but many choose not to do so. Players can wear mouth guards, but many choose not to do so. And for crying out loud, players simply have to stop hitting helmet first. It may produce big hits, but they also make serious head and neck injuries more likely, not to mention missed tackles from not wrapping up the ball carrier. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention players who take cheap shots at other players, under the false guises of "toughness" and "doing what it takes to win." As for the NFL, the league could take a number of giant steps forward, but it chooses not to do so. The NFL has levied fines for wearing too much eye black, or using the football as a prop in a TD celebration. Yet the NFL does not mandate that all players wear helmets designed to reduce concussions. It does not mandate that players use mouth guards. The NFL does not ban cut-blocking. It does not kick players out of the league who willfully injure other players, and only temporarily bans coaches who actively encourage their players to hurt other players. The NFL allows teams to hire their own doctors and training staffs – ignoring the obvious conflict of interest. The NFL chooses not to expand rosters, or allow for additional active players on game day to reduce the possibility of injured players being pushed or rushed back onto the field. The NFL wants to expand the schedule to include more games, but not more bye weeks, and persists with the horrendous Thursday night games – which don’t allow for the type of rest players need between games. Lastly, on some level, this is also my fault. I continue to watch the games, even knowing there are elements which I don’t like. I continue to buy jerseys, even when the team I cheer for acts horrendously. I think to myself I am lucky when a Fantasy Football opponents’ team is ravaged with injured players. Jahleel Addae’s injury last night snapped me out of my waking slumber. For me, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to love a game which shows so little concern for the players which make it all possible. While I hope I’m wrong, and it’s a choice I haven’t yet made, I am at least forced to consider now that sometimes the best thing you can do for something you love is to walk away.
Posts: 59,323

10-28-2014, 07:59 AM	#16
Why Not? In Search of a Life Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Kansas Casino cash: $2668994	Thousands of people get hurt at work daily. I'm supposed to give more of a shit about the ones that get hurt playing football? And give up the game? This article should find it's way to a cyber Ebolaids Fire.
Posts: 21,905

10-28-2014, 08:11 AM	#17
Strongside Mahomes or GTFO Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: KC Casino cash: $5694282	Jesus Christ. The game is about as safe as it can be at this point. Society is turning into a bunch of sensitive, politically correct, weak ass hippies. It baffles me that no one stops to consider the fact that these guys know what they are getting themselves into by stepping onto that field. They could literally be killed. Hell, I had to sign a waiver during Monday Night Football acknowledging that I knew I COULD BE KILLED BY STANDING ON THE SIDELINE. It's no different than a man/woman stepping into the octagon in the UFC, or Floyd Mayweather stepping into the ring. It's no different than a NASCAR driver strapping their self into a machine that could, literally, kill them at any moment. It's no different than a jockey hopping onto the back of a race horse that is essentially still a wild, and unpredictable animal. It's no different than working a trade labor in dangerous conditions...these people know exactly what they are signing up for when they choose to do this for a living. Now, does that mean that their employers should not take steps to make the job safer for the employees? Not at all. But when NASCAR developed a problem with people dying on the track, they made the equipment and the tracks safer, they didn't ban the sport. And I sure as shit didn't feel 'dirty' watching a race after some of the deaths/injuries that have occurred in the past. Are some sports a bit barbaric? Yes. But that is the root of their appeal. We are barbaric by nature. If you don't want to watch the game that's been played by men who knew the risks they were taking for the last 80 years, then don't watch. It's that simple. Don't bitch to the point that you take away these guys' ability to play the game that they love, and that they are fully aware of the risks involved in. That hit, like the gif below, is the result of men who are professionals both talent-wise and fundamental-wise performing at 100% of their ability...they know what the risks are. __________________
Posts: 13,204

10-28-2014, 08:59 AM	#30
KCCHIEFS27 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: KS Casino cash: $10019064	Okay, for one. The Broncos had NOTHING to do with trying to hurt this player. Misleading article title. For two, this guy has some very poor tackling techniques and procedures. Who runs straight into a pile when the guy is being tackled and pushed down by huge lineman and linebackers? Poor judgment. On the first one, if he runs through the play, as they teach. Atleast that's what I was taught. Just like running backs, tacklers are supposed to finish through the play and not take the hit. Three, I bet in a week or two these same guys are critiquing the Chargers secondary for playing poorly. __________________
Posts: 3,088