It is not a widely disseminated, downloaded or discussed fact that the
average life expectancy for all pro football players including all positions
and backgrounds is 55 years. Several insurance carriers say it is 51 years.
Last week, September 24, Tampa Bay quarterback Chris Simms remained in a
football game against Carolina even though he was short of breath with
fractured ribs and a ruptured spleen. He could have died! As of September
27, almost 400 NFL players were on the Injured Reserve or other unable to
play lists. I got short of breath just counting.
We've heard of suicide by cop but have never talked about suicide by
quarterback (and all positions). This happens every football weekend from
Friday night lights to Sunday afternoon and Monday night heavies.
Has the game become too violent for its own good? How many more bodies and
brains do we want to destroy? Do we really want to spoil the golden goose or
in this case the golden lettered brown pigskin? Do we, as a nation, love
violence so much we will not make common sense changes?
We don't want to sissify the game but suggest we give pause and rethink our
attitudes toward America's most popular sport. As players become bigger,
stronger, faster and the helmets harder the force with which they strike
becomes increasingly extreme.
A generation or two ago the tackles, hits and blocks were intended to stop
the opposition. Now they are designed to separate the head, neck and arms
from the body. We have returned to the ancient days of the Roman gladiators
when the maimed and comatose were carried off the field.
What are the issues and what can we do to stop the cold brutality that
steals 30 years from the average pro player's life? Lets never forget that
these behaviors trickle down to our colleges, high schools and grade
schools.
Weights and Drugs
Suffice it here to note that if you start with a gigantic human being and
add extensive weight training and anabolic steroids you wind up with
enormous muscle mass. Paired with the violent hits this leads to the
tendons, ligaments and joints breaking down. This is why many retired
players have trouble getting out of bed in the morning. Once the gladiators
rode on horses. Now the players, some of who weigh 375 pounds and run the 40
in 4.5 seconds, are the magnificent stallions.
There needs to be more frequent drug testing and harsher penalties. If the
Olympics, Women's Tennis at the U.S. Open and the Kentucky Derby test
winners — then so can the NFL.
The League
Ultimately it is up to the league to control the sport. Since they know the
fans are bloodthirsty — and more money is their goal — they are often lax
with their discipline. When there are late and violent hits that knock
players out of the game the punishments should be rapid and proportionate.
The recent suspension of Titan defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth for five
games for kicking a Cowboy while on the ground is a step in the right
direction. Many, however, feel the penalty was too light.
The Referees
They need to be more consistent. Sometimes they flag the defense for putting
a pinkie on the QB and at other times overlook savage hits like the ones on
Chris Simms.
The Coaches
We all know the coaches teach this stuff so they need to be held more
accountable by the league.
Coach Jon Gruden said during his post-game news conference that Simms hurt
his ribs early in the game. "He left the game. I don't know that it was
because of his ribs, dehydration or both."
Why didn't he know? He is the head coach and meat grinder.
The Players
It's all about being macho man. Perhaps, when they learn that their lives
are going to end sooner than most, they will pay attention. They should stop
the jumping and hand slapping when they knock someone silly. The old timers
wouldn't dishonor the game this way.
The Rules
You hate to fool with the rules but maybe it's time. Now any two players who
collaborate can, at any time, knock a player out of the game. The offending
team gets 15 yards and the victim is out for the game for weeks, months or
forever. The league should consider commensurate larger penalties (say 25
yards) and immediate ejection. Penalties might include loss of possession of
the ball or the awarding of seven points to the other team?
The Fans
Maybe we shouldn't clap and dance when we're shown the hardest hits .on
replay or sports highlight shows. Fans who pay hundreds for seats for one
game and thousands for season tickets might ultimately get tired of watching
third string quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers during the
Playoffs and Super-Bowl.
The Media
Maybe the media shouldn't replay the hardest hits thousands of times. They
must think we are all attention deficit sadistic vampire bats. Their
obsession with violence degrades everything they touch.
The Team Doctors
Team doctors must acknowledge that they are the athlete's main defense in
today's win-at-all cost society. There should be a national association of
team physicians to explore these ethical issues and create standards. How
about a "Physician Crew" of 2-3 non-team doctors at each game to make fit or
not fit for duty decisions independent of coaches and owners? Physicians
should not succumb to the thrill of team victory and thereby put athletes at
risk.
Equipment
Once an instrument of protection — the helmet is now a weapon of mass
devastation. Spearing is banned but the players have figured out other ways
to dismember. We need new materials like a substance that protects but
still has some give. Maybe a two-layered helmet that does both? If we have
the materials to protect a spaceship on a flight fly to Jupiter — we can
surely develop safer substances to guard football players on Earth.
The issue here is the life expectancy of a professional group who compete,
on average, for four years. That's why NFL stands for "Not For Long."
So the next time a coach, with cornmeal mush for brains, tells your kid to
take a "gut check" by playing injured and in pain resist the temptation to
hit him in the head with a helmet.
Editor's Note: Michael Arnold Glueck, M.D., wrote this week's commentary
