CTE Study

[*Wyche'sWarrior*]

(07-27-2017, 11:28 AM)UDWhoDey Wrote: This is scary stuff.  I was an undersized linebacker in High School.  I made up for lack of size by being fearless and aggressive.  I considered getting my bell rung to be normal - didn't phase me as long as I made the tackle.  Played 2 years of semipro football, more of the same, but moved to CB and S.  Most of the bell ringing was in practices versus games.  In practices you make 10-15 tackles, 3-days a week.  In a game you make 5-10 tackles, and less 1-on-1 full speed as in practice.  Now I am glad I did not play in college - yikes.  Getting blocked not a big issue (other than protecting knees).

They need to have a rule where you can't use your helmet with force for any part of the tackle.  The helmet should be for protection from others - using your facemask as the tip of a missile should be a flag.  But you have to balance with calling a runner "down" faster, can't reward the runner for rules changes.

A lot of the problem is with interior linemen, which is where I played.  You are correct, the most chances of getting your bell rung was in practice.  Angle tackle drills, etc can really lead to some vicious hits.....I know the two hardest licks I ever received/gave were in an angle tackle drill in practice, and on a kickoff.  That said, line play leads to hits to the head on nearly every play.  Being a little undersized, I relied more heavily on angles, technique, quickness, and more often than not, just riding the defender out of the play, which probably saved my brain quite a bit.  There were those pulling plays, etc that led to heavy contact, and I certainly got hit in the head/used the head more on defense.  

I won't even get into the car wrecks.....gives me a little concern, to say the least.