NFL Head Aches: A View on the Helmet to Helmet Debate

This whole week the big debate has been on how the NFL should handle helmet to helmet collisions. It's been a HUGE hit! Week 6 in the NFL seemed to bring up many instances of helmet to helmet tackles, i.e. Brandon Meriweather’s nasty hit on Todd Heap, Dunta Robinson’s scary hit on DeSean Jackson, and James Harrison’s ruthless hits on Joshua Cribbs and Mohamed Massaquoi. First of all, it is definitely kind of odd that there were so many incidents in one week. Secondly, man those hits were scary.

Now, the great debate is on how the NFL should handle future helmet to helmet situations. Of course, I would not want to see the NFL lose its edge, but it would only make sense for Roger Goodell to bring down heavy punishments for the players involved in violent acts. The NFL has begun to make stricter rules to help protect players from concussions and would only make sense to continue in that direction. Maybe it is time to become strict on the helmet to helmet rules and start suspending players.

DeSean Jackson Being Helped Off, Photo courtesy of www.cleveland.com.

I know may in some way affect the game; players will be more cautious and will not be hitting with full force and passion, but it seems necessary. Ex-player Rodney Harrison straight up said that being fined did not stop him from making ruthless hits. He followed by saying that if he were to be suspended, it would definitely change his approach in hitting offensive players and believes this is the only way the NFL can help this situation. Now if someone as ruthless as Harrison believes that suspensions need to be implemented, then I really can not argue.

When it comes down to it, football is just a game. I understand that it is also a profession, but life and health is much more important in the long run. No matter how much I enjoy seeing all the hard, gruesome hits in the NFL, the cringing, sympathetic feeling after is not worth it. Goodell needs to take a stand and find a way to cut down on these incidents, and if suspensions will help this process, then I say start throwing out some suspensions.

This is just an opinion so please…Pardon My Bias