The NFL is determined to eliminate hip drop tackles. The NFL Players Association opposes the move.
On Thursday, league leaders shrugged off union oppositionexplained that players have always resisted changes aimed at making the game safer.
It is certainly so.
peter king I wrote an article about sports illustrated In November 2010, Steelers linebacker James Harrison spoke about the league's response to the Oct. 17 helmet-to-helmet collision. About Browns receiver Mohamed MasakouiPatriots safety Brandon Merriweather About Ravens tight end Todd HeapFalcons cornerback Danta Robinson About Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson. Everything unfolded in real time in approximately 5-10 minutes.
The NFLPA did not like the league's decision to more aggressively enforce rules against hits to the head or neck area of defenseless players.
Union president Kevin Mawae said through King, “Skirts must be removed in NFL offices.”
Steelers safety Ryan Clark, who was the team's union representative at the time, called it “a sad day for the sports world.”
“The league made a villain out of James Harrison, who played exactly the same play he did to win Defensive Player of the Year.” [in 2008]” Clark said through King. “I think what we're seeing is an expedient reaction to the consequences of the hit, not a thoughtful response to the reality of the hit.”
History has painted a different picture. The NFL, which is notoriously reactive, was trying to be proactive when it came to player safety, ignoring the wishes of the players.
It continues to this day. Hip drop tackles can cause serious injuries to the lower extremities. The players don't seem to care.
This is one of the reasons I believe that eventually someone with a lot of money who can't buy their way into NFL ownership will start a new league that embraces the rules of a bygone era. Players sign up for it. A certain percentage of fans gather there.
Rightly or wrongly, the more the NFL changes, the more likely there will be someone willing to give players who seek old-fashioned brutality what they want. Enough viewers will definitely embrace the old-fashioned alternative to find traction to make enough money to survive.
And perhaps even thrive.
