On Media Day for Super Bowl XLV in Dallas, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver – and noted dirty player – Hines Ward was interviewed by Michael Silver of Yahoo Sports. Ward was quite animated on the subject of safety in the NFL, particularly around the issue of concussions:
“To say the league really cares? They don’t give a f**k about concussions,” Ward said. “And now they want to add on two extra games? Are you kidding? Come on, let’s be real. Now that these new guidelines are in place, you’ll see more and more guys lying to doctors to stay on the field.”
He also pointed out that the league hasn’t mandated the new helmets which are supposed to prevent concussions.
“If they’re so worried about what concussions will do to us after our careers, then guarantee our insurance for life,” he continued. “And if you’re going to fine me for a hit, let the money go to veteran guys to help with their medical issues.”
The NFL received a negative backlash from the players after it was announced in October that players will be suspended for dangerous and flagrant hits.
Ward makes excellent points regarding safety and the very culture of the NFL. Players are expected to play hurt. Plain and simple. And though the league has decided to crack down on illegal hits as well as take a healthier stance on concussions, there is still a strong under current of animosity toward injured players. The unwritten rule is get yourself on the field no matter what, or find another job.
Also, the recently proposed 18-game schedule will do nothing to cut down on injuries. No matter how much we love football and would like to watch it year-round, it just ain’t gonna happen. Even the greatest athletes’ bodies break down. It’s inevitable. And longer seasons will likely contribute to shorter careers. How would fans like it if their favorite players started retiring at age 29?
Ward’s message is one that resonates with a lot of NFL players. Unfortunately, it comes from a dubious source. Ward is far and away one of the dirtiest players in professional football. In fact, he recently made a list the 50 Dirtiest Players in Sports History. So, when a guy like that starts talking about the NFL being hypocritical on safety while he’s made a career of blocking at the knees and hitting defenseless players in the back, it might be difficult for some people to take him seriously.
Next time, the NFLPA should probably use Ladanian Tomlinson or Larry Fitzgerald for the more controversial sound bites. At least you don’t have to question those guys’ integrity while they’re telling the league to ‘eff off.
[Source: Fantasyhype.com]
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Check out what others are saying about this post...[...] Okay, so we knew the days of measured, well-thought-out responses from sports figures were over. But lately, the sound bites that have been flying from the mouths of professional athletes seem to lack even the slightest measure of tact. In the NFL, Hines Ward of the Steelers recently suggested to reporters that the NFL doesn’t “give a f**k about concussions.” [...]