Football Gone in 20 Years?

[mgteich]

As you say, Goodell has not changed ANY rules. Rules are changed by a vote of the owners. If folks want to assess "blame" for the changes that TRY to improve safety, it seems much more reasonable to blame Bob Kraft, who has much more influence on the votes of the owners than does Goodell.

People seem to forget Goodell can't just insert playing rules whenever he wants, the teams owners vote.

 

[jmt57]

Lem Barney did apologize this week - not for what he said, but for where and when he made those comments.

"The other day, at the Sound Mind and Body Camp, I was asked about my thoughts on football and safety. While I made comments I believe to be truthful it is apparent to me now that the camp was not the forum for those comments. These are the same comments I have made for years before Congress, under oath and at numerous events for retired players and it's become second nature.

"I don't want to discourage young men from their love of the game, I just want the game to be safe. What I said were things I feel, things that happened to me, but obviously it was not the right time or place ... and I apologize to any of the coaches whom I made uncomfortable at the event. I wish all those involved in our great sport a long, healthy and SAFE career."​

Lem Barney apologizes for 'deadly' comments | USA Today


NFL Hall of Famer dubs football 'deadly' and near extinction at youth football camp, then apologizes | Y! Sports

Still, Barney played 11 NFL seasons -- more than the rest of the panel combined -- earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 1967, seven Pro Bowl selections and an induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.

That career came with a price. He suffered "seven or eight" undiagnosed concussions, he told the youth football players gathered at the camp. An ophthalmologist recently diagnosed the head injuries when Barney could no longer read his bible.

"There are a lot of people that don't want to let the game go," Barney added. "But the game is going to kill a lot of people if (something doesn't change) soon. Maybe take the helmet out of the game, which I don't think they'll do (in the NFL).

"Bubba Smith left us, Dave Duerson left us, Junior Seau of late -- guys are killing themselves because of the head injuries they had. You hear about guys who played in championship games, Pro Bowlers, Super Bowl participants ... but you don't hear about the average Joe who played and is killing himself. The game is that deadly today."​

 

[Joker]

why is he apologizing???

the game IS deadly..

so is smoking cigarettes..

so is sky diving....or free sheer cliff climbing

big wave riding.....stock car racing

what...now some NASCAR rep needs to apologize for saying racing is deadly because of Dale Earnhardt's death?

we're being PC'ed into extinction here...cripes...

 

[BradyBunch1224]

I hope theres football in 20 years!!!! Its such a big money maker though. I think they will make rule changes to protect players but getting rid of the league is very hard for me to see them doing.