Buck Pierce Video: Watch Blue Bombers QB Get Blasted by Craig Butler

I'm not so sure they are as diligent in quarterback safety in the CFL as they are in the NFL. Winnipeg Blue Bomber QB Buck Pierce probably agrees with me.

Pierce was absolutely destroyed in this posted video. Roughrider Safety Craig Butler came in with a free run at the QB, and Pierce never saw him coming.

The result was a violent explosion as Butler did his best missile impression and launched himself into Pierce. The impact created such force that Pierce helmet flew off like it was a football that just got punted. At first, there is the legitimate concern that Pierce's head was still in the helmet. Luckily for all, his head was still safely on his head.

This hit was not quite helmet-to-helmet. You can see Butler move his head just to the side of Pierce's head at impact, but given the fact the he launched himself head first at the QB, I think this would get a flag in the NFL 10 times out of 10.

But it takes a little toughness to play in the CFL. After watching this hit and reading the following quote, it appears they are still going about football like it is the 1970s.

This became apparent when I saw that the Blue Bombers coach Paul LaPolice was hoping Pierce could just shake off his little aches and play against the Alouettes on Sunday.

Here is LaPolice as quoted on the TorontoSun.com:

"

He’s banged up and sore but I think he’ll be OK. But we’ll know better in the next couple of days … He was just kind of limping around after the game and he got hit in the stomach or wherever he got hit so, we’ll see how he is.

"

Yeah, he was just kind of limping around. You know, he got hit in the stomach or something. It's not like the guy punctured any vital organs. We'll rub a little Robitussin on it and he'll be fine.

One thing has dawned on me while writing this article: I may have to start paying more attention to the CFL.