Flyers Announce After Devils Game that Briere Has a Concussion: Fan Reaction
Philadelphia Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren announced after the team’s game against the New Jersey Devils that center Danny Briere will be out indefinitely due to a concussion.
The team has already lost captain Chris Pronger for the season due to the effects of concussions. In addition to the other players who have missed periods of time due to head injuries this season, Briere’s absence from the lineup with further test the Flyers’ resiliency.
While his production hasn’t been as high as some past seasonal efforts, this forward remains a key part of head coach Peter Laviolette’s offensive strategy.
Head shots
I looked directly at Briere when I interviewed him at training camp in September, which translates to mean that we are approximately the same height. It was quite impressive to think that someone of his size was actually competing on the ice with many players who were much taller and heavier than he was. He appreciated that deserved compliment when it was offered to him.
I’ve interviewed a variety of individuals including: former National Hockey League referee Kerry Fraser, Flyers executive Bob Clarke, Flyers alumni Keith Primeau, Eric Lindros and Rick Tocchet, within the last year about the issue of head shots in hockey.
I’ve also interviewed former New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles player Kevin Turner, who continues to fight the life-threatening health effects that he believes head shots have had on his life.
Each of those individuals offered a seasoned view and a variety of responses that can be taken to address the issue of head trauma in professional sports.
These conversations took the issue to a new level for me. It’s one thing to witness injuries in-person during a game, or through the media. It’s quite another to speak with people whose lives have been affected, either directly or indirectly, by the issue.
There are strong beliefs about the causes of this problem, ranging from rules changes to equipment adjustments. But, head shots continue to happen because the issues surrounding the matter are challenging to address and difficult to fully resolve.
Attitude and speed
Men who are no longer allowed to settle their disputes with their fists are releasing their aggression through body shots and head hunting tactics during games. This atmosphere has grown through the years and then accelerated after major rules changes were implemented since the last lockout.
The speed that these real life Zambonis are allowed to generate, in part through the elimination of the red line, has created a wildly uncontrollable atmosphere during every game.
Forceful drama
The subsequent force that is released, through that unrestrained speed factor, then becomes the key physical element that sets the scene for this concussion drama to play out.
Because each human being is different, so is each concussion. As a result, Briere’s immediate, short-term and long-term futures are purely speculative. The next few days will offer an early indication of how serious his injury may be.
Sean has written professionally for over two decades and is currently a Featured Contributor for Yahoo! You can follow him on Twitter @SeanyOB and also read his daily Sports Blog: Insight
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