I love the NFL. Every Sunday, I’m in front of the TV, cheering on my favorite teams. But every now and then, I’m reminded of the dark side of the sport – the injuries. Recently, there’s been more conversation than ever about the different types of in-game injuries that NFL players suffer and the long-term effects of those injuries.
It’s no secret that NFL players take a beating. After every play, you can hear pads crashing! And every now and then, a major hit can cause a player to stay down for a few moments, and many times all game. The intensity and physicality of football puts players at risk for some pretty serious injuries.
From torn ACL’s and MCL’s to dislocated joints and concussions, in-game NFL injuries can have a major impact on players. Not only can they cost a player a huge amount of money in repairs and lost salary, they can also make it difficult for a player to secure a contract in the future. And worse, some of these injuries can carry even longer-term effects, such as chronic pain and loss of mobility.
One of the most troubling aspects of NFL injuries is the sheer amount of them. According to the NYT, Football injury rates have increased by about 42% since 1994, with over 200,000 injuries reported every year. While this number includes injuries such as muscle strains and pulled hamstrings, it also includes more serious injuries that could affect a player’s career and quality of life.
As a football fan, I find theses statistics heartbreaking. These are talented and brave young men who are putting their body on the line for our enjoyment. We can only hope that the NFL takes the necessary steps to better protect players from these potentially devastating in-game injuries.
Lately I’ve been hearing about some potential solutions to this issue. For instance, the NFL is planning to implement changes to the way players practice and play in order to minimize player contact and reduce the chance of injury. They are also talking about potentially changing the rules to lessen the impact of tackles and lessen the chances of serious injury.
The NFL is also working with medical staff to develop better ways to help diagnose and treat injuries. They are looking for ways to better diagnose concussions, as well as create new and improved treatments for more serious injuries.
Team owners are also looking into ways to prevent these injuries. They are investing in new reparative technologies such as special pads that can help lessen the impact of serious hits and greater player training regimes to help players prepare for the high intensity of professional football.
Finally, the league is working with the players themselves to ensure they understand what the risks are and how to better protect themselves. They are also offering mental health resources to help players cope with the consequences of injury, both to help them recover physically and emotionally.
These efforts are heartening, but I believe the NFL needs to do more to protect its players. These are human beings after all, and they deserve the proper respect and care. These solutions should be implemented quickly, but also monitored and improved upon over time.
The NFL’s health and safety protocols need to be stringent and constantly evolving in order to keep the sport safe and exciting. It’s a tough balancing act, but one the NFL should take very seriously. As a fan, I want to continue to have fun watching the sport, but I also want the players to be safe.