Top 5 Concussion Controversies in the NFL in 2011: A Fan’s Perspective
With 2011 coming to an end, it is a great time to take a look back at the year.
It wouldn’t be a football season without its fair share of controversy, and 2011 has been no different. The biggest controversies, in my opinion, have centered on concussions, fines and suspensions and the efforts to make changes.
NFL Fines and Suspensions
The 2011 season has seen a fair share of fines and suspensions for players who have tackled others with illegal hits or others who have brought their aggression to the game. Two main occurrences that stand out are Detroit Lions DT Ndamukong Suh and Pittsburgh Steelers LB James Harrison. Suh was suspended for two games after his now famous stomp during the Thanksgiving game against the Green Bay Packers. Harrison received a one-game suspension after a helmet-to-helmet to hit against Cleveland Browns QB Colt McCoy.
While I can understand where the NFL is coming from in issuing these fines and suspensions, I don’t believe it really has any impact on the way these players play the game. It is football and it is rough, but that is the sport. From a safety standpoint, I can understand the NFL’s concern, but I think there needs to be a different form of punishment for breaking rules and policies.
Illegal Hits
These fines and suspensions tie into the idea of an illegal hit. Due to concussion concerns, the NFL has been strict on what they call illegal helmet-to-helmet hits. Harrison’s suspension was an example of this. While again, as a medical professional, I understand the concern, I also know that changing the way a game has been played for generations is not something that is going to be easy. Football is a tough game and people are going to get hurt.
NFL Concussions
Concussions have been at the top of the controversial headlines for some time and tie into the illegal hits. However, while the hits may be responsible for the injury, I don’t think they are as much responsible for the problems that follow as the sideline decisions after the injury are. Two big concussions this year—San Diego Chargers G Kris Dielman and Browns QB Colt McCoy—showed that the biggest problem with concussions is players allowed to play with them.
Changes in Policies
Dielman suffered his concussion in the fourth quarter of the Oct. 23 game against the New York Jets. In typical fashion for a male (sorry, guys but you hate to admit it when you are hurt), Dielman waved off the officials and coaches and said he was fine. He continued to play the game and evaluated for a concussion after the game ended. However, on the plane ride back to San Diego, Dielman suffered a grand mal seizure.
This prompted the NFL to address concussions and require players to be evaluated if a concussion was suspected. Game officials were to undergo concussion awareness training and the ability to pull players out that they thought were at risk.
This was a great theory, but the concussion suffered by McCoy showed that these new policies were not being followed. McCoy was not tested for a concussion and was allowed to return to the game.
Different Changes Needed
The McCoy concussion has brought about the idea that an independent neurologist may be required at all games. This way, a trained professional can watch and make the determination that a player may be at risk. This player can then be properly evaluated. In my opinion, this could be the one thing that could make a difference.
I don’t think the fines against players making the hits are making a difference, and, if fines are going to be issued, I think they need to be issued against the team that allowed its players to remain in the game with a concussion.
Deborah Braconnier is a former athlete and medical professional. She is a freelance writer and Featured Contributor for the NFL and Olympics. She has followed the Denver Broncos since she was a child and can usually be found yelling at the television during football season. Follow her on Twitter at @fwcdeborah.
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