Spine Institute of Arizona Blog
NFL Tackling Tackles
Neck and Back injuries are common in football. There were at least six players left with concussions and neck injuries due to illegal hits to the head during the games on Sunday, October 17th. So far this season there have been 50 concussions reported and it is believed that this is a conservative estimate and the real number should be much higher, but players are known to continue playing and not report all injuries.
The National Football League is cracking down on illegal hits to the head sometimes referred to as "kill-shots". This type of tackle is not only dangerous to players' careers but they could be life-altering, a head-to-head tackle can seriously injure either player with a crippling brain or spinal injury.
The punishment for dangerous and flagrant illegal hits is fines and any violent conduct will immediately result in suspension without pay. The fines that were distributed for tackles on October 17th were between $50,000 and $75,000. New England Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather and Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson were fined $50,000 each for their illegal hits while Pittsburg Steelers linebacker James Harrison has been fined $75,000. Harrison has stated that he will be appealing the fine. So far this year there have not been any players suspended due to violent conduct.
Unfortunately illegal hits are not only being made in the NFL, it is also a serious problem in high school and college football. Last weekend a Rutgers University player, Eric LeGrand, was paralyzed from the neck down after suffering from extensive spinal cord injury while making a tackle.
Hopefully the new emphasis on safe tackling will prevent any serious neck and spinal cord injuries from occurring this football season. After all; it is supposed to be a game, not life or death.
|
|
 LinkedIn Network |