You know the old saying about how it takes a thief to catch a thief. Perhaps it takes an NFL "injury-administration specialist" (you like the euphemism?) to call out the league's increasing trend toward violence.
Baltimore safety Bernard Pollard, who's got quite a history of taking out players, particularly those who wear New England Patriots jerseys, is frank about where he believes the NFL is heading. There's a fundamental limit to how large and fast NFL players can get versus the amount of punishment the human body can take, and to Pollard, it can end only one way, as he told CBS Sports:
"The league is trying to move in the right direction [with player safety]," he said, "but, at the same time, [coaches] want bigger, stronger and faster year in and year out. And that means you're going to keep getting big hits and concussions and blown-out knees. The only thing I'm waiting for ... and, Lord, I hope it doesn't happen ... is a guy dying on the field. We've had everything else happen there except for a death. We understand what we signed up for, and it sucks."Like I said, I pray it never happens, but you've got guys who are 350 pounds running 4.5 and 4.4s, and these owners and coaches want scout-run blockers and linemen to move walls. At the same time, they tell you, 'Don't hit here, and don't hit there, or we'll take your money.' Like I said, I hope I'm wrong, but I just believe one day there's going to be a death that takes place on the field because of the direction we're going."
My Thought
In a dilemma here! It's a rough sport with sometimes 300 lb. guys jumping on you. You get paid big bucks, knowing it's a part of the game. Further, all athletes are subject to injury, the nature of the game. If there are rules, "don't hit there, don't hit this, and whatever, don't hit, the rules should be followed; and serious, very serious penalties for violating the rule. In this instance, making someone a scapegoat can be partially justified
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