Wednesday, October 09, 2013

BANG YOUR HEAD ON THIS....




I am sure many football fans watched "League of Denial" last night on PBS.  I remember reading the original article that focused on Dr. Omalu and his work on Mike Webster's brain.  Back then, I didn't think much of it.  I read the article primarily because Webster was a famed Cheesehead (from Tomahawk, and we know some cool folks form there).  And, his head injuries very likely started during his days in Madison as a Badger.

There's been a lot of talk lately about the changing of the sport many of us grew up watching.  Additionally, and prior to many of these changes, a handful or more NFL player brains were being reviewed/studied.  At one time nearly two dozen of them were studied showing that all but one had severe damage and decisively showcased that their play in the NFL (and likely college, high school, etc.) played a major role.  Because lawyers run the show, the one thing that couldn't be proven was when the damaged occurred.  Fair or unfair, this is true.  But, what's astonishing is that the NFL AND NFLPA (ugghhh another union not doing it's job) turned the blind eye, refuted the evidence, and flat out lied about what was pretty apparent even to guys like me, that watch from home and have zero clue about the true science behind the research/results.

Some folks have commented that the NFLPA wasn't featured in the documentary.  You folks are 100% right.  The NFLPA was only mentioned a few times.  Why, you may ask?  Because the NFLPA stood in the dark.  It's no secret I am not a fan of unions these days (their purpose was clear decades ago, now their purpose is to rival and act just like big business - and boy are they good at it).  But really?  The one organization built solely to protect it's current, past, and future employees was silent?  the same group that speaks up so quickly when it means digging into an NFL owner's pocket, or when they negotiate to capture as much revenue share as possible from the guys that put up the cash so that there are 32 teams, media contracts, and people in the stands, was quiet?  Yep, it did nothing.  It kept quiet and never once stepped to the plate to argue that it's players were in serious danger.  $$$ sure is a scary thing isn't it?  Men were losing their homes, their families, and their lives.  One player's wife was not allowed to a player's meeting on the topic (her husband was severely disabled) - literally told she couldn't enter the room by Commission Goodell.  And, the NFL's researchers continued to deny what seemed obvious.  Why didn't the PA stand up?  Apparently due process continued to protect the "bad" union members more than it did those with the most need.  The PA goes to bat for guys with DUI's, substance issues, wife beaters, etc, but guys with disabilities, guys going batshit crazy, and guys who can't remember what they ate for breakfast get nada?  Don't get me started...union debacles is another LONG post for anther day.

Now, to be clear, I'm not 100% blaming the NFL here.  In the early stages of this process, I would have been a little skeptical too.  One brain, a guy who bashed his head as a center in college, and 17 years of the NFL (many of those years playing more than just the regular season on those mighty Steeler teams)...wasn't quite enough.  That part I understand.  Plus...let's be really honest folks -- boxers don't sue the commission because they have head issues post career, and as Jim Otto said in the documentary (I paraphrase)  - I'm not out there complaining...I went to war each week, and this (his body/face) is the result of wars won/lost.  Of all the things in that show I could relate to most, it was Otto's statements.  He knew what he signed up for...and I'd wager 99% of these guys did/do.  Otto also said that Webster would have agreed, and in some ways I believe him.  But, Otto could speak, clear his mind, and stick with his thoughts.  Webster couldn't finish a sentence later in life, he couldn't even focus for 3 straight minutes.  He was dead before his body gave in.

As football players, you're going to hit, get hit all the time.  You're fingers are going to break, your knees are going to swell, your hamstrings stretch, and your head will get bashed (often).  My Dad always using the phrase - "It's part of the fun!"

Where the line is drawn here is simple.  The NFL and it's PA knew, for a long time, that their product was dangerous.  We all get that...it's football for Earl Cambell's sake, we (many of us) love it that way.  But, they also knew for all too long that the dangers far surpassed the fields where the game was played.   For that, I would agree that they are guilty.  They didn't make the conscious effort to protect the health of players by educating them, working to find better equipment, etc.  They tried to pretend the issue wasn't real.  They deflected & ignored science when science was as real as it gets.  All they had to do was acknowledge the problem, educate players, and make immediate changes/efforts to improve.  I'm by no means saying it's their job to prevent every post career problem or condition.  It's their job to ensure all players have the knowledge, are educated about the risks and are clear that based on that risk, the NFL/PA are only going to do X in cases where a problem becomes evident.  Whatever X may be.  Heck, I have typed/talked my way to a 12 year sales career.  Does that mean I get to sue someone when my fingers curl, or my jaw locks (I laughed when I typed this - thinking how many folks would appreciate a few jaw locking moments for me)? Hell no...I know what I do all day, I know potential risks associated with sitting more than not, typing all day, etc.  Like Otto, I'm no whiner.  Bottom line, the NFL and it's player's union knew all too much and simply decided not to protect it's #1 asset, at all.

Goodell has had a tough job since Paul T stepped down (now it's really clear why, too).  Roger inherited this mess, made it worse by following protocol, and is not trying to fix it (for which I commend him).  But, I'm not a fan of the existing Commissioner, his antics and John Kerry flip flopping techniques.  He stutters, and he's only confident when he speaks on his terms (well said by a co-worker this morning).  But, he has made the effort that his predecessor wouldn't...creating a safer game and educating players on the dangers during and post career.  For many, this should be enough.  It's football...and while I don't like the idea of basketball with pads & cleats, I do understand.  If the NFL and the PA do their job to protect the health of players by simply educating them of the risks and ensuring every bit of research is at their fingertips, they've put the risk in the hands of the players.  If you don't want to limp, stutter, and remember everything you've done, get out there and give it your best and smack someone.  If you're worried about your post football health, be a lawyer...lord knows they made out like bandits in this enormous mess.

Lastly...would the XFL (or something similar) survive now?  Would a more "traditional" football league garner enough interest to stick?  Are there enough talented players that want to play the old game versus the new?  Personally, I loved the game in the late 80's.  Those Bear teams, Ronnie Lott, LT, Chuck Cecil, etc. Those guys played the game like it was played when Otto, Webster, & Tatum tore into folks.  You think Ronnie Lott wants $ for his chunk of finger left on the field at Candlestick?  You think Tatum is sorry for destroying someone aiming to catch a drag route pass over the middle, or LT felt bad about Theisman's leg snapping?  Nah...it's what those guys, and the guys now sign up for...WAR.  Maybe one day there'll be two leagues.  One for the folks that want to see the barbaric side of the game, the true grit, and devastating collisions of two large men moving quick enough to warrant an airbag release, and one for the new NFL.  I'll watch and attend both, I promise.  I love football...and I love life.  Let the players choose what they want from their football careers but educate them about how it can/will impact their lives and make it clear from the start what compensation (if any) is there should a problem/condition arise.

Happy Hump Day all...
Laugh, live, work hard and make good decisions.

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