Memo To The NFL: To Reduce Concussions, Ban Football Helmets

http://www.forbes.com ^ | 5/27/2012 | John Tamny

[BO Stinkss]

Though he’s perhaps best known for his groundbreaking work in the area of public choice economic theory, economist Gordon Tullock once famously observed that mechanical innovations meant to promote greater automobile safety essentially achieve the opposite. If driver safety is the goal, then it would be wisest to mandate spears on car steering wheels that would impale the driver in the event of an accident.

Reduced to the absurd, if death were the near certain result of unsafe driving, then it’s safe to say that the latter would disappear as its consequences became more real. Seatbelts, anti-lock brakes and airbags are great, but is it possible that a greater frequency of unsafe driving has been an unintended result of advances that have softened the negative results of car accidents?

Tullock’s thinking naturally sprung to mind amid all the recent handwringing about the frequency of concussions in the National Football League (NFL). The tragic suicide of Dave Duerson, the USA Today comments from Tom Brady Sr. about safety, and the still unsolved suicide of future first ballot Hall of Famer Junior Seau understandably have the League wondering if the head trauma that is a natural part of football brings with it negative long-term consequences.

[BO Stinkss]

I remember the first time I put on pads and a helmet. The more I got used to them, the more agressive I became. Would you trade a less agressive game for a "safer" game? I would if I were playing but I wouldn't want to pay $200 to watch it.

[nascarnation]

Rugby is probably the best example for comparison.

[rfreedom4u]

I believe the players know the risk and they take it of their own free will.

[MuttTheHoople]

Agreed. When I put on pads and a helmet, I would hit guys who, without pads and helmet, would’ve tried to stay on the other side of the street for.

[Arkansas Toothpick]

The problem with rugby is that it is, well, rugby. The dynamics of the sport are completely different than American football.

[Sherman Logan]

You have any statistics on the accident rates for rugby vs. football?

Another great example is boxing. In the old bare knuckle days boxers got cut up something terrible.

But they didn’t wind up “punchy,” and true knockouts were uncommon. You can’t hit somebody hard enough to rattle their brain in their skull with a bare hand without breaking your hand.

So we made boxing neater and tidier and less obviously brutal for the spectators, and far more damaging to the participants.

[Mrs.Z]

As a female, I noticed that rugby players tend to have broken noses and cauliflower ears...

still better than brain damage.

[rwilson99]

To reduce concussions and car crashes... Increase DEATH

Stupid.

[wolfman23601]

We used to play unorganized, padless football as kids after school. I don’t recall ever getting hurt.

[ConservaTexan]

Once the southern invasion is complete, football will be banned entirely to clear the way for fútbol.

[cripplecreek]

I used to wear a hardhat for work and became so used to my head bouncing off objects that I was careless and smacked my head on things when I was out of work.

In NASCAR, restrictor plate tracks are a constant source of controversy while shorter flatter unrestricted tracks like Michigan and California have higher top speeds without the big crashes. The knowledge of danger is a great safety device.

[nascarnation]

It’s definitely not clear cut.

A decade ago my daughter’s boyfriend lost an appointment to West Point due to a brain injury suffered in a rugby game.

[ArrogantBustard]

We used to play unorganized, padless football as kids after school. I don’t recall ever getting hurt.

Hmmm ... I recall getting bruises and abrasions from it. BFD ... we didn't really hurt each other. We did get seriously dirty, though ... Here's what pro football used to look like:

[boomop1]

Then we will have Mini racing.

[edcoil]

More students have committed suicide at my local school since 2000 then NFL football players. Fact is, more teens that never even played the game have committed suicide then all in NFL history.

This new “concussion” issue goes back to when I played in the 1970’s. Everyone playing the game knows the risks - this is just an attack on yet another American tradition.

[wolfman23601]

Of course there were cuts and bruises. By “hurt” I meant any kind of injury that required a trip to the doctor. The most painful injury I got playing schoolyard football was getting racked.

[free me]

Most head injuries in Football occur when the player’s head hits the ground.

Their heads would continue to hit the ground if they weren’t wearing helmets.

[GBA]

In the old days, pro football and NASCAR didn't look too much different than at home, just better uniforms and equipment.

It is what it is, but I miss what we lost getting here.

[ArrogantBustard]

I think we're on the same page regarding what "hurt" means ... the interesting thing, to me, is that after a modern pro football game played on artificial turf the players don't really show any evidence of the game. Sweat ... but no mud, not bruises, no scrapes ... and they've been really hammering each other. The modern pads and helmets really do change the game.

Oddly enough, I recall getting 'racked' more often from baseball than football. Took me a long time to really figure out how to field a grounder ...

[wolfman23601]

We never got into baseball. There was a stretch of basketball, which I wasn’t a big fan of being short and not particularly fast, and another stretch of street hockey, but mostly football. Sad thing is I now live in the same town and never see the kids of today out doing any of that.