Clinton Portis sues NFL over concussions.

[Skinzman]

I think the older players have a point. The NFL 20-30 years ago and older trotted the players back out there within a few minutes of having a concussion. The original law suits were about the NFL studying concussions and hiding that info from the players because the players not playing was bad for the NFL. But players that have played recently have had enough information about short and long term damage from head injuries. I think the older players are making a mistake by allowing the newly retired ones to join the lawsuit. They knew the risks and played for millions over working in the private sector for $50k or less.

[Green Monk Machine]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Yup it's always on Goodell.

With the help of the owners and NFPLA, it sort of is- his agenda and show. I don't think it can be argued against that he has expanded the nfl product but in so doing its partially intended to be more exciting with higher scoring games and appealing to wider markets of kids, women, and the world.

Personally I think Thrusday night football, London games, talk of 18 game season, partial blame for rule changes that effect kickoffs, lowering helmet, celebrations, imposing cap penalties, and the change from laid back Taligliabeau to ruling with an iron fist and being an NFL Sheriff doesn't help his cause to like him or not judge him b/c football shouldn't become soft. I like defense.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by Green Monk Machine

With the help of the owners and NFPLA, it sort of is- his agenda and show. I don't think it can be argued against that he has expanded the nfl product but in so doing its partially intended to be more exciting with higher scoring games and appealing to wider markets of kids, women, and the world.

Personally I think Thrusday night football, London games, talk of 18 game season, partial blame for rule changes that effect kickoffs, lowering helmet, celebrations, imposing cap penalties, and the change from laid back Taligliabeau to ruling with an iron fist and being an NFL Sheriff doesn't help his cause to like him or not judge him b/c football shouldn't become soft. I like defense.

Goodell isn't the one suing for injuries sustained while playing. Nearly all these rules that "soften" the game, are being driven by the lawsuits of former players. The owners/Goodell are not suddenly humanitarians, they simply don't want to lose in court, and if they don't show attempts to protect and inform the players, they will lose.

[Green Monk Machine]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

Goodell isn't the one suing for injuries sustained while playing. Nearly all these rules that "soften" the game, are being driven by the lawsuits of former players. The owners/Goodell are not suddenly humanitarians, they simply don't want to lose in court, and if they don't show attempts to protect and inform the players, they will lose.

Well if that's the case, the nFL has the money to continue football and use the proceeds towards better pensions. If money is coming in where does it go? I'm not waiting all year for flag football. Changing a game and making it softer/safer takes away from the experience of the fan. Stat records change. I mean if players get hurt so be it. Hope they stayed in college, got a degree, saved $, and can live off what the union has agreed upon as far as medical coverage. Being a pro athlete is still a better living than not. Nowadays the defense isn't even allowed to hit a "defenseless receiver" but that receiver has protection to catch the ball and score and threaten the oppositions success? I see that as misbalanced. Guys lose jobs if receivers score. Idk, I feel like this emphasis to grow the nfl and be more appealing serves a majority that doesn't even appreciate or understand the sport if high scoring and non exististent defense is what is thrilling.

I'm off my soapbox. I'm going to go back outside and yell at cars driving too fast on my street.

[Giantone]

Originally Posted by Green Monk Machine

With the help of the owners and NFPLA, it sort of is- his agenda and show..

BS ,you have blamed everyone but the players ,the players knew what they were doing end of story .Do I think the NFL should do more to help retirees....yes but are they at fault for this ...NO . Goodell sure as hell isn't at fault.

[Skinzman]

Originally Posted by Giantone

BS ,you have blamed everyone but the players ,the players knew what they were doing end of story .Do I think the NFL should do more to help retirees....yes but are they at fault for this ...NO . Goodell sure as hell isn't at fault.

You go into rage mode every time someone criticizes Goodell. Its almost like you expect the Giants to be allowed to fake injuries to get extra timeouts and know that Goodell wouldnt do anything about it. Not like that would ever happen though...

[Giantone]

Originally Posted by Skinzman

You go into rage mode every time someone criticizes Goodell. ...

1) It gets old 2) it gets boring 3) it is BS .

Your definition of rage and mine are very different .

Blaming Goodell for everything wrong ....and yes SOME people here do , is lazy and just BS.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Yup it's always on Goodell.

Goodell gave me a concussion in an incident involving a skateboard and a pony.

[MTK]

I don't think CP has money issues.

[GoSkins!]

Sorry, but part of the reason for the insane high salaries that players get paid is because of the risk. Football really isn't that unique. Several other jobs have high "danger" pay too; and you can't take the pay, understand the risk, and then expect more money for taking that risk after the job is done.

I don't think people would pay as much to watch, nor would players get paid as much to play, non-violent (think flag) football. Players have the money to buy the most protective equipment money can buy and no one forces them to take the job if they don't want to risk long term injuries. Maybe next, soldiers can start suing the military.

[NC_Skins]

Originally Posted by GoSkins!

Sorry, but part of the reason for the insane high salaries that players get paid is because of the risk. Football really isn't that unique. Several other jobs have high "danger" pay too; and you can't take the pay, understand the risk, and then expect more money for taking that risk after the job is done.

I don't think people would pay as much to watch, nor would players get paid as much to play, non-violent (think flag) football. Players have the money to buy the most protective equipment money can buy and no one forces them to take the job if they don't want to risk long term injuries. Maybe next, soldiers can start suing the military.

That isn't why their salaries are high. Risk has nothing to do with it. The demand for the sport has everything to do with it. Baseball, basketball, and golfers make just as much (if not more) than football players and their salaries are guaranteed. What their sport doesn't have is really any risk of permanent injuries to the brain. If risk had anything to do with salaries, NASCAR drivers would be the highest paid people in any sport.

People enjoy the brutal violence within the game, and have so since the days of the gladiator in the Roman coliseum.

[GoSkins!]

Originally Posted by NC_Skins

That isn't why their salaries are high. Risk has nothing to do with it. The demand for the sport has everything to do with it. Baseball, basketball, and golfers make just as much (if not more) than football players and their salaries are guaranteed. What their sport doesn't have is really any risk of permanent injuries to the brain. If risk had anything to do with salaries, NASCAR drivers would be the highest paid people in any sport.

People enjoy the brutal violence within the game, and have so since the days of the gladiator in the Roman coliseum.

But isn't the "demand for the sport" based on the "brutal violence within the game"? I didn't say that it is the only reason for high salaries, but I believe that it is an unfortunate reality in pro football. Just like wrecks in NASCAR. Without the wrecks, fewer people would watch, and salaries would be lower. Since there are wrecks, more people watch, which allows for higher salaries, and those higher salaries entice pro drivers to risk serious injury or death on the race track.

This same idea holds true in football. People aren't looking for players to get permanently injured, but they are waiting for those hits that lay out the other players. Those hit sometimes cause permanent damage. And I don't know if a player can blame the NFL for what the individual players do on the field. I wonder why the players don't sue the guy who hit them and caused the concussion too??? It is clear that this is where the NFL is going. They want to say that the rules would prevent issues if it wasn't for the players breaking the rules with "head shots". Therefore, sue the players, not the NFL.

[Skinzman]

Originally Posted by GoSkins!

But isn't the "demand for the sport" based on the "brutal violence within the game"? I didn't say that it is the only reason for high salaries, but I believe that it is an unfortunate reality in pro football. Just like wrecks in NASCAR. Without the wrecks, fewer people would watch, and salaries would be lower. Since there are wrecks, more people watch, which allows for higher salaries, and those higher salaries entice pro drivers to risk serious injury or death on the race track.

This same idea holds true in football. People aren't looking for players to get permanently injured, but they are waiting for those hits that lay out the other players. Those hit sometimes cause permanent damage. And I don't know if a player can blame the NFL for what the individual players do on the field. I wonder why the players don't sue the guy who hit them and caused the concussion too??? It is clear that this is where the NFL is going. They want to say that the rules would prevent issues if it wasn't for the players breaking the rules with "head shots", therefore, sure the players not the NFL.

NC's point is that salaries are tied directly to the amount of money that the sport brings in. He used other sports as examples. Golf being the best one. Since people watch it, they can bid out the rights to networks to air it for a lot of money. It doesnt have to have violence for people to like it. The "Brutal violence of Golf" is absolutely nothing, yet people still watch it.

[mlmdub130]

The NFL might not be at total fault, but I do think they bear some responsibility, as well as the players, teams, and team doctors.

It's funny to me that the majority sides with the multi-billion dollar industry of the NFL. And are quick to judge the players saying they are making a money grab.

This is a very complex issue and the side you tend to hear the most from is the more powerful side, the NFL. When you read about what a lot of these former players are going through its actually pretty sad. I mean how soon do we forget about all of the suicides that have happened over the past few years. Maybe it's just me but I would wait a second before I said they all are just lazy bums that can't get a job after the NFL.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by mlmdub130

The NFL might not be at total fault, but I do think they bear some responsibility, as well as the players, teams, and team doctors.

It's funny to me that the majority sides with the multi-billion dollar industry of the NFL. And are quick to judge the players saying they are making a money grab.

This is a very complex issue and the side you tend to hear the most from is the more powerful side, the NFL. When you read about what a lot of these former players are going through its actually pretty sad. I mean how soon do we forget about all of the suicides that have happened over the past few years. Maybe it's just me but I would wait a second before I said they all are just lazy bums that can't get a job after the NFL.

Agreed.