Could NFL Rules Lead To Flag Football?

Since the inception of football as we know it, the game has been under change.  With the goal always to make the sport more competitive or safer for the players, the game has been flexible to change.

But one thing you cannot change about the game of football is the history it was born out of.  As football has evolved, pads have been invented to promote safety.  And as rules have developed in the sport, kickers have been made untouchable, quarterbacks have been saved and the sidelines have turned in to a touch free zone.

An old rugby saying states "Football is a gentleman's game played by thugs and rugby is a thug's game played by gentlemen".  Even in one of the pre-game shows before a Sunday afternoon game, a model from Victoria's Secret visiting the show made a comment about how many pads NFL players wear compared to Rugby.  (A model talking trash out our NFL players!)

As players get hurt (mind you, it is a physical game), it seems the NFL is attempting to prevent any injury.  I beleive they have forgotten that football is a sport that requires players to hit and get hit.  And in that, players will get concussions, bruises and broken bones.

I am not rooting for a player to get injured as a race-fan hopes to see a good crash.  I am however aware of the realism of a sport that requires players to get physical.    And just as I am aware of that, the players themselves understand the fact that injury is not a matter of if, but when.

I believe the closer the NFL gets to flag football, the less interesting the game will be.  If changes need to be made to make the players safer, my desire is that the NFL leaves the rules alone.  Enough has been done to drum down the excitement of the sport.  (How many flags thrown during a game is too many?)  Instead, how about looking at the equipment players are required to wear, and find a way to make the equipment better. 

If not, players grab your tube socks, (we used them as flags when I was a kid) because you will need them next Sunday!