A Letter To The Commissioner

[BHiott]

QUIT F**KING WITH MY GAME!!!

Football is dangerous...I get that, but so do all that play the game. It's called "assumption of risk". The financial rewards outweigh the chance of injury. No one is forcing these guys to choose football as a profession.

What about boxing? UFC fighting? Any water sport? They're all dangerous...more dangerous than football, but their regulating commitees aren't bubble-wrapping the participants to the point of making the game less desirable. Accept the fact that IT IS FOOTBALL.

People will get hurt on occassion. Go ahead and engineer better and safer equipment, but DON'T CHANGE THE RULES OF THE GAME THAT I LOVE. Do you think these players regret the time and money they earned playing in the league? Their regrets are how they transitioned from the league to the private sector. Fix that!

I want to see the hard hits...I miss the "Jacked Up" segment on ESPN. Quit contributing to the pussification of America!

Much love,

BHiott

[stirs]

Lawyers. Our country is full of them. Guess what? NFL has a lot of money. Same players that are now screaming about "pussification", will be the same ones to sue the NFL for their injuries.

If the Commish does not show that he is trying to protect players, every lawyer in the world will try to line up for their cut because of their poor client who now has gone through his millions, and wants more from the bad ol NFL.

Big lawsuits already in place. Commish cannot turn a blind eye or there will be no game to watch very soon. By the way, I hate losing the big hits also. I do not see a good end to this

[Darknight]

I can't stand when people blame Roger Goodell for trying to make the game safer. I agree that they should take care of retired players better and all of that but it's the retired players fault for suing the NFL knowing that it's a violent game. All these fans screaming at Goodell need to scream at these retired players and tell them that they knew what they signed up for.

[Niner National]

Roger Goodell is protecting the business that is the NFL. When star players get hurt, ratings drop. When ratings drop, the league makes less money.

Despite all the rule changes people bitch about, NFL ratings are at all time highs.

[Jackofalltrades]

I'm with Tensor.

Not to mention, it really hasn't changed the game that much. These guys gladly take the money when they're young, but I bet quite a few would give it back down the road to undo the damage that has been done to their bodies.

[nickzz]

Roger Goodell is protecting the business that is the NFL. When star players get hurt, ratings drop. When ratings drop, the league makes less money.

Despite all the rule changes people bitch about, NFL ratings are at all time highs.

not only that but his hand is practically being forced. will all the lawsuits incoming from ex-players suffering from brain damage he has no choice.

[BHiott]

Continue to research and implement safer equipment.

Educate the players on how to succeed in life after football.

Why change the rules! It's football. Accept the fact that it's a violent game. Don't pretend it's something that it is not (or try to make it something else).

The WORLD BOXING ASSOCIATION and INTERNATIONAL MIXED MARTIAL ARTS FEDERATION could easily ban head hits or at least require head gear, but they won't. Why not?

[nickzz]

Continue to research and implement safer equipment.

Educate the players on how to succeed in life after football.

Why change the rules! It's football. Accept the fact that it's a violent game. Don't pretend it's something that it is not (or try to make it something else).

The WORLD BOXING ASSOCIATION and INTERNATIONAL MIXED MARTIAL ARTS FEDERATION could easily ban head hits or at least require head gear, but they won't. Why not?

because the rules are allowing for and/or causing irreversible brain damage to players

[Harris Aballah]

They want the game to be safer but cry when he suspends players for bounties? How many lawyers will it take to explain that one?

[Inimicus]

I can't stand when people blame Roger Goodell for trying to make the game safer. I agree that they should take care of retired players better and all of that but it's the retired players fault for suing the NFL knowing that it's a violent game. All these fans screaming at Goodell need to scream at these retired players and tell them that they knew what they signed up for.

This dude is on the right track.

You want to be mad at someone? Then be mad at the 1500 former players who got their shot at the fame and fortune of the NFL, enjoyed both - so much so that now they're broke, and are trying to go back to the well one more time in hopes of another payday.

No lawsuits -> no emphasis on player safety -> fewer fines, suspensions, and rule changes.

Cause and effect...

[g5jamz]

It's like Muhammed Ali suing Vegas for making him shake.

Also baffles me with the NHL...commentators go on and on about the concussions...yadda yadda...but when a fight breaks out. It's on baby.

[BHiott]

because the rules are allowing for and/or causing irreversible brain damage to players

Moreso than other full-contact sports? Again... It's football!!! Don't try to be something you're not.

You want to be mad at someone? Then be mad at the 1500 former players who got their shot at the fame and fortune of the NFL, enjoyed both - so much so that now they're broke, and are trying to go back to the well one more time in hopes of another payday.

I'm no attorney, but I can't see where the ex-players have a case. I do remember the 3 Situations of "assumption of risk". Unless the NFL acted wrongfully towards the players, they'd have no obligations. The advantages of the players outweighed the peril.

It's like Muhammed Ali suing Vegas for making him shake.

Exactly.

[nickzz]

Moreso than other full-contact sports?

i wouldn't be surprised