Wow 49ers LB Borland retiring!!!

[MaoTosiFanClub]

You are right. You can't change the game to where its a noncontact sport. Just like boxing has never become "safe", football is on the same road.

And, just like mouthpieces don't stop concussions in boxing, they will never eliminate them in football either. Until someone figures out how to safely insert a pad INSIDE the skull, between the brain and the bone, concussions can't be eliminated. Certainly not with the abnormal size and velocity modern pro athletes are reaching.

I think your last point is the easiest way to go. Have some sort of weight limits at specific positions and have actual PED testing not the laughable program currently in place.

 

[az jam]

It's odd how some people can't see the writing on the wall. These early retirements only going to become more and more common until the NFL makes some serious vhanges.

Goodell is more concerned with making money for the owners and punishing players than helping them.

 

[AZCrazy]

Bigger puffier helmets would cut down on the injuries. But noooooo, it's not fashionable. It wouldn't look badass.

 

[Darkside]

Bigger puffier helmets would cut down on the injuries. But noooooo, it's not fashionable. It wouldn't look badass.

Let's just encase them in saran wrap and call it a day. Or maybe that puffy bubble wrap stuff, so when they got hit it would make that pleasant TV sound of pop-pop-pop.

"Oh, great hit, grid 34 on his protective suit, bubbles 60 through 79, have just exploded!"

Very compelling.

 

[MrYeahBut]

I'm continually amazed at the lack of real head protection in hockey. I get afraid for them actually when on the rare occasions I attend a pro game. It's lightning fast...the sticks, skate blades, the puck at a hundred miles an hour, the boards.etc. while it may sound corny, I consider them to be artists at their craft. I don't like seeing players get injured.

 

[Darkside]

I'm continually amazed at the lack of real head protection in hockey. I get afraid for them actually when on the rare occasions I attend a pro game. It's lightning fast...the sticks, skate blades, the puck at a hundred miles an hour, the boards.etc. while it may sound corny, I consider them to be artists at their craft. I don't like seeing players get injured.

Totally agree with this. And they are definitely masters at what they do. I can barely track a puck with my vision when they really strike it live. It's a blur. How they can track that and nonchalantly just catch it all chill and put it back into play is beyond me.

 

[Solar7]

I'm continually amazed at the lack of real head protection in hockey. I get afraid for them actually when on the rare occasions I attend a pro game. It's lightning fast...the sticks, skate blades, the puck at a hundred miles an hour, the boards.etc. while it may sound corny, I consider them to be artists at their craft. I don't like seeing players get injured.

A rugby player friend of mine across the pond insists that less gear on the head works out to players being more careful about hits, and less injuries. I do agree with hockey, but the players tend to be in situations that don't lend themselves to head injury. (Bodily injury is a different story.)

I don't feel like it's wholly true, but the leather helmet idea might have some standing.

 

[Darkside]

A rugby player friend of mine across the pond insists that less gear on the head works out to players being more careful about hits, and less injuries. I do agree with hockey, but the players tend to be in situations that don't lend themselves to head injury. (Bodily injury is a different story.)

I don't feel like it's wholly true, but the leather helmet idea might have some standing.

I've heard this idea many times, regarding the NFL. That when they wore less protective gear there were less head injuries. That's possibly true IMO. It reduces the tendency to launch head first. It's not like you have the old rules, which instituted the helmet rules to begin with, with closeline tackles and pile driving players into the ground.

Fact is, players back then didn't have the fraternity they have now. They didn't respect and love each other as much. They'd punch or forearm each other in the face every play. They didn't have the respect for each other that they do now.

 

[ajcardfan]

You can applaud them, but the sharks they'll deal with in the corporate world are far more dangerous and numerous, frankly, than getting a concussion.

I deal with the corporate world every day and can tell you they're far more relentless than a tackler every Sunday. That's once a week for half a year, these dudes are 7 days a week 365. They're soul-sucking vampires. At least in football you know who the players are and where they're coming from.

And I'm quite certain that stress and lack of sleep kill more mofos than concussions.

Meh, doubtful. It's not just concussions either. Heart problems, pain killer addicitions, etc, etc. The NFL player has a 20 year shorter life expectancy than the average American male.

The NFL Players Union and Harvard have commissioned a 10 year study:

http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/hea...and-illness/aCGnf96h7ptWX2Lnp5MIiP/story.html

But the health problems are much more wide-ranging. Countless former players struggle with searing and debilitating joint pain and rely heavily on anti-inflammatory medications and painkillers, say union officials. Many others grapple with heart disorders linked to extreme strength training common in the NFL.

The result is a dramatically shortened life span: While white men in the United States on average live to age 78 and African-American men to about 70, “it appears that professional football players in both the United States and Canada have life expectancies in the mid- to late-50s,” Harvard researchers wrote in a summary of their project.

 

[Darkside]

Meh, doubtful. It's not just concussions either. Heart problems, pain killer addicitions, etc, etc. The NFL player has a 20 year shorter life expectancy than the average American male.

The NFL Players Union and Harvard have commissioned a 10 year study:

http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/hea...and-illness/aCGnf96h7ptWX2Lnp5MIiP/story.html

I don't argue that. But look at studies on stress and lack of sleep and how it destroys Americans every day to heart disease and every ailment known to man. I don't have a link because I'm lazy.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Great, now we have another team going to draft a LB in front of us...

 

[187]

I don't argue that. But look at studies on stress and lack of sleep and how it destroys Americans every day to heart disease and every ailment known to man. I don't have a link because I'm lazy.

Lifespan wise there is no chance in hell a corporate worker is worse off than an NFL linebacker/player. And if your job is THAT life sucking and stressful then take notes on Borland/Willis/etc...and find a new one.

 

[Darkside]

Lifespan wise there is no chance in hell a corporate worker is worse off than an NFL linebacker/player. And if your job is THAT life sucking and stressful then take notes on Borland/Willis/etc...and find a new one.

Negative. Thousands of people die every day due to ailments due to stress and lack of sleep.

If you're just talking pure numbers you're ignorant. How many football players have died due to any injury?

It's been well documented that thousands and thousands of people have died from stress and other corporate induced ailments.

Like I said, I'm too lazy tonight to look it up, but you and I and everyone else knows it's true. I'll be happy to look it up tomorrow when I have more time if you like.

And if your sign of success is simply changing careers, the way they did, then most Americans are successful, because nobody statically stays in one career very long.

Ridiculous argument.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

You are right, but how many of those people run a 4.3 40? Or bench 225 lbs 20 times? Or have 40 inch verticals? An already small segment of our society has the tools that the NFL wants and now concussions are scaring some of them away. The NFL is desperate to grow the talent pool.

My point exactly.

This man has particular skills that allow him to earn enough money to live a life of luxury for a vast majority of his life.

His reason that he is "worried about his health" is admirable, but there are not too many jobs, and scenarios where your job/life/what have you doesn't take its toll as well.

The thought that by not playing football this man will be safe, happy, and healthy no matter what is idealistic to say the least.

Again, respect the guy's decision, just think it is short sighted.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Lifespan wise there is no chance in hell a corporate worker is worse off than an NFL linebacker/player. And if your job is THAT life sucking and stressful then take notes on Borland/Willis/etc...and find a new one.

Again, that is quite idealistic.

Who says everyone has that choice to just switch jobs on a whim. Who is to say its the job that takes your health away. What about life style ? What about hobbies ? What about pure dumb luck ?

One man's healthy, and safe office work is another man's hell.

Furthermore, the man may be a good NFL linebacker, who say he can even get an office job ?

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Meh, doubtful. It's not just concussions either. Heart problems, pain killer addicitions, etc, etc. The NFL player has a 20 year shorter life expectancy than the average American male.

The NFL Players Union and Harvard have commissioned a 10 year study:

http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/hea...and-illness/aCGnf96h7ptWX2Lnp5MIiP/story.html

No doubt.

It is ONE of the jobs that will shorten your life expectancy.

 

[juza76]

borland retiring from football cause he came from a wealthy family,he didntt have any kind of financial problem or have had difficult in the childhood ,other players can t take the same decision

 

[RugbyMuffin]

It's easier to say something like this when it's not your brain at risk.

Yeah, you could get a similar injury in a car accident 10 minutes from now. But, it's not like anyone here will have multiple 300 lb + guys trying to pound them into the turf dozens of times this year either.

This isn't just an NFL issue either. Our high school team, a very good HS team, had two of its best players quit for the same reason right before the beginning of last season. They were good enough to play college ball, but smart enough that academics are also getting them scholarships and tuition waivers. Personally, one on one, I applauded each of them for making such a mature decision that they took a lot of flack over.

I would not expect you to know this, so I am not trying to lure you into a situation.

I played contact sports for 15 years, and PAID to do it.

Was it at the level of the NFL ? No. But, I was beating my body up, and playing against other fit, strong, grown men who weighed as much as 300lbs. is big enough to do damage.

And it was rugby, no helmets, no padding. I had concussions, and have lasting injuries in my shoulders and other areas that hurt every day, and are only going to get worse. Mind you I played in the last generation of youth sports where when you got "your bell rung" you "rubbed some dirt on it." (I should add I support the new approach to head injuries these days).

So, it is my brain, and it is easy to say.

I do not regret a day of playing rugby or football. It was one of, if not the best, time of my life.

I knew the risks then, and know the risks now, and I am still fine with it.

Again, I respect Mr. Borland's decision, I just think it is made in an idealistic light.

Now could my choices in the past effect my present negatively ? Sure. I am well aware, but again, there are MANY decisions that can screw up your life later on.

I mean, how many people got married during their life ?

 

[RugbyMuffin]

More changes, like just make it flag football? I understand the concern over injuries but football is a violent contact sport and one of the reasons it is one of the top sports and why players get paid large salaries... as mentioned in the thread, if a majority of these guys would wear the recommended mouthpieces, the concussions would not be as prevalent as they are now

I never understand why the NFL doesn't make hits to the head illegal. The Seahawks already teach rugby tackling and they are "the best defense in the league" so why not, I don't know.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I'm continually amazed at the lack of real head protection in hockey. I get afraid for them actually when on the rare occasions I attend a pro game. It's lightning fast...the sticks, skate blades, the puck at a hundred miles an hour, the boards.etc. while it may sound corny, I consider them to be artists at their craft. I don't like seeing players get injured.

Hockey is madness with what they allow.

Again, why there are any allowable hits to the head in hockey is beyond me. It is not needed in hockey, and would not take away from the sport.

I mean, these guys are on ice, which is dangerous enough for your head to hit.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

borland retiring from football cause he came from a wealthy family,he didntt have any kind of financial problem or have had difficult in the childhood ,other players can t take the same decision

Well, there you go.

That makes sense. I can see someone who has no money issues, retiring, and yes, Mr. Borland has a high percentage chance to live a very easy, and healthy life.

Don't blame him if that is the case.

 

[jmt]

borland retiring from football cause he came from a wealthy family,he didntt have any kind of financial problem or have had difficult in the childhood ,other players can t take the same decision

Just like a coal miner, or migrant farmer or trash collector etc.

 

[cardpa]

Negative. Thousands of people die every day due to ailments due to stress and lack of sleep.

If you're just talking pure numbers you're ignorant. How many football players have died due to any injury?

It's been well documented that thousands and thousands of people have died from stress and other corporate induced ailments.

Like I said, I'm too lazy tonight to look it up, but you and I and everyone else knows it's true. I'll be happy to look it up tomorrow when I have more time if you like.

And if your sign of success is simply changing careers, the way they did, then most Americans are successful, because nobody statically stays in one career very long.

Ridiculous argument.

Corporate America=Goodell. All they care about is how much money they can make and could care less about employees. There once was a time when corporate head honchos actually gave some thought to the underlings who toiled to make money for them. Now they see them as disposable.

I think Darkside makes a valid argument but I am not sure its comparing apples to apples.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I don't argue that. But look at studies on stress and lack of sleep and how it destroys Americans every day to heart disease and every ailment known to man. I don't have a link because I'm lazy.

Of course stress and lack of sleep have an effect on health. Nobody's debating that. AJ just saying with a study to support it that those factors are on average of about 20 years less of a effect as it comes to one's death than playing NFL Football.

 

[don7031]

Google "Concussions in High School Football", it makes for scary reading. What it boils down to is if you played football and you hit people, you incurred brain damage.