Aaron Sears

[FEARinSEC]

Originally Posted by utvolpj

you're assuming all the risks were put out and he made the choice with complete knowledge. Maybe you haven't noticed but this is becoming a big issue for former players

No, I assumed nothing. To blame Riddell and The Tampa Bay Bucs for his injuries would be like a drunk driver involved in a crash blaming the car and the road. Maybe you haven't noticed, but it has also been a big issue for boxers. Again, a risk you take playing sports.

[utvolpj]

Originally Posted by FEARinSEC

No, I assumed nothing. To blame Riddell and The Tampa Bay Bucs for his injuries would be like a drunk driver involved in a crash blaming the car and the road. Maybe you haven't noticed, but it has also been a big issue for boxers. Again, a risk you take playing sports.

if he was told the helmets were safe and was cleared by doctors before medically ready then it's their responsibility. The rules about playing after concussions are much stricter now. Wonder why that is

[Weezer]

First off, thoughts and prayers to Sears and family.

As far as concussions go, my question is who knew what and when? Players have suffered concussions as long as football has been around, but statistics are only recently showing this spike in serious, prolonged injury. That's not to say it hasn't been happenning for longer, but it's only reached the spotlight in the past 10-15 years. So when did teams start recognizing that there were prolonged repurcussions?

[volfanngaytorland]

Truly truly sad. Praying that Aaron and family can have some semblance of a normal life. Hate it for him.

[Rock33]

Originally Posted by ncvol17

Terrible when our gladiators suffer permanent hurt....best to Aaron long term...

Very telling Post... We train these modern day "gladiators" from about 6 years old, we fawn over them as recruits, we lavish them with money in the League, then the League refuses to take any responsibility for their well being when their done, in the "Arena" .... ahhh when in Rome...

[sickemsmokey10]

I hope he fully recovers from this and it's terrible for him and his family.

that being said, why not sue Tennessee, NCAA, high school and youth football? I could be wrong and I'm not a doctor, but I don't see how playing 2-3 years in the NFL could have caused all of this. usually all head trauma is caused from several years of contact. I realize I'll take flack for this but it's just my thinking. take it for what it's worth.

[m1al]

Originally Posted by Spartacavolus

I disagree. When I played a long time ago,I assumed the helmet and padding was preventing brain injury. Nobody said anything about the danger of brain damage or concussions down the road. All players are taught to not lead with the head, but that was to prevent neck injury, as far as I knew.
All players should understand the risk of an acute or traumatic injury. The hidden diseases from concussions are a different issue.

I played in the late 70's and I knew then after being knocked senseless on several occasions that it WAS NOT good for me.. I remember one game a team mate of mine getting hit and being put out of the game. Later, during the game he looked at me while sitting on the bench and asked me, "What are we doing here?".. I remember it freaked me out just a little bit but I answered "playin' football Todd".. Even then, I remember thinking he might be messed up for life.. My point is, even as teenagers we knew these kinds of head injuries weren't good in the long run but we still CHOSE to play...

I feel for the Sears family, I truly do but he knew football was/is a dangerous game, he loved the game, he excepted the risks and CHOSE to play.. I would like to see the league do something extra in the way of helping players that suffer from an abnormal amount trauma due to concussion.. Not because they have to but because its the right thing to do for men that have given so much for the sport..

I don't know, I guess it's a little like the many who sued the tobacco companies after years of smoking saying, "I didn't know it was bad for me. The tobacco companies tricked me"...

[WA_Vol]

Never thought OL took that many hits to the head, or receive that many concussions.

[B-HamVOL]

Originally Posted by WA_Vol

Never thought OL took that many hits to the head, or receive that many concussions.

Ever see Reggie White slap the side of a tackle's helmet when rushing. Sometimes it looked like their head would spin off of their shoulders. I believe that's why the NFL banned head slapping. An OL picking up a blitzing LB, one of the most violent collisions you'll see in football.

Knew a lineman that played for NE in the '80s. Sunday night in bed after playing, he would bleed through bruises in his skin he got from the game.

You take 2 300 lb+ linemen, stronger than ever, running full speed, stuff breaks when they collide.

[Yankee_Vol]

Sucks to hear. Here's to hoping for some type of improvement for AS

[WA_Vol]

Originally Posted by B-HamVOL

Ever see Reggie White slap the side of a tackle's helmet when rushing. Sometimes it looked like their head would spin off of their shoulders. I believe that's why the NFL banned head slapping. An OL picking up a blitzing LB, one of the most violent collisions you'll see in football.

Knew a lineman that played for NE in the '80s. Sunday night in bed after playing, he would bleed through bruises in his skin he got from the game.

You take 2 300 lb+ linemen, stronger than ever, running full speed, stuff breaks when they collide.

I thought those strikes to the helmet were illegal now.

[Big Ugly Vol]

The N.F.L. has made such a big deal about this simply because you had so many players launching themselves headfirst for that big highlight reel hit. It seems like most of these guys had forgotten how to make a good tackle. The league was afraid somebody was gonna die on national T.V. after one of these big head on collisions. They could care less about players. That's why they don't call anything like that on linemen imo. Before you start bashing me I think the NFL has legislated most of the fun out of the game by taking this too far.

[Big Ugly Vol]

Originally Posted by B-HamVOL

Ever see Reggie White slap the side of a tackle's helmet when rushing. Sometimes it looked like their head would spin off of their shoulders. I believe that's why the NFL banned head slapping. An OL picking up a blitzing LB, one of the most violent collisions you'll see in football.

Knew a lineman that played for NE in the '80s. Sunday night in bed after playing, he would bleed through bruises in his skin he got from the game.

You take 2 300 lb+ linemen, stronger than ever, running full speed, stuff breaks when they collide.

They banned the headslap in '77. It's known as the Deacon Jones rule. (Not trying to be a smart### just giving info.)

[Phat-Phil]

Originally Posted by m1al

I played in the late 70's and I knew then after being knocked senseless on several occasions that it WAS NOT good for me.. I remember one game a team mate of mine getting hit and being put out of the game. Later, during the game he looked at me while sitting on the bench and asked me, "What are we doing here?".. I remember it freaked me out just a little bit but I answered "playin' football Todd".. Even then, I remember thinking he might be messed up for life.. My point is, even as teenagers we knew these kinds of head injuries weren't good in the long run but we still CHOSE to play...

I feel for the Sears family, I truly do but he knew football was/is a dangerous game, he loved the game, he excepted the risks and CHOSE to play.. I would like to see the league do something extra in the way of helping players that suffer from an abnormal amount trauma due to concussion.. Not because they have to but because its the right thing to do for men that have given so much for the sport..

I don't know, I guess it's a little like the many who sued the tobacco companies after years of smoking saying, "I didn't know it was bad for me. The tobacco companies tricked me"...

Sure everyone knows football is a dangerous sport and you take a risk each time you step on the field. But I dont think anyone knew just how serious concussions were until lately. I mean he can't even take care of himself anymore and has pretty much lost everything (not just monetary but physically and mentally as well). I definitely didn't know concussions could lead to all of this when I played and that was only like 6 or 7 years ago. I feel absolutely terrible for Sears and his family and hope that he can someone become himself again over time. Just a terrible story.

[B-HamVOL]

Originally Posted by Big Ugly Vol

They banned the headslap in '77. It's known as the Deacon Jones rule. (Not trying to be a smart### just giving info.)

That is correct. It is illegal, but still happens....



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