League could suspend players for excessive helmet-to-helmet hits

[Shortline Bus]

NFL could suspend players for helmet-to-helmet hits

 

By Jason La Canfora NFL Network 10/20/10

 

Ray Anderson, the NFL's executive vice president of football operations, said Monday that harsher fines and possibly suspensions for helmet-to-helmet hits could be coming immediately, even for first-time offenders.

 

Anderson is involved with all levels of on-field discipline. After watching several Week 6 hits that he termed "egregious," "flagrant," and "really disturbing," Anderson said the league "will be more proactive" in dealing with any cases of potential head and neck trauma.

 

Unlock HQ Video HQ video delivered by Akamai

 

"It could happen immediately," Anderson said of the initiative after several players suffered apparent concussions Sunday. "The level of discipline on those types of hits is going to be much more aggressive ... and that could include a suspension even for a first-time offender."

 

Anderson said the degree to which players have been willing to lead with their heads and flaunt rules has caught the league's attention, and he pointed to comments made by former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy and former NFL safety Rodney Harrison. The pair, now football analysts for NBC, both espoused suspensions for such hits, and Harrison, who was fined more than $200,000 during his career, said the punishment "didn't get my attention."

 

"Fines aren't getting it done," Anderson said. "Suspensions will get their attention."

 

Anderson told The Associated Press that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will have the final say on any changes. League officials will consult with the NFL Players Association, too, but Anderson said he doesn't expect any opposition.

 

"Obviously, suspensions would be a much bigger deal than fining guys," Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday, the team's player representative, told The AP. "But if guys are headhunting out there to knock a guy out of the game, that's the only way to take care of it."

 

Anderson said the league will continue to be severe in its handling of repeat offenders, saying there "will be even more elevated" discipline for those players. He spoke of "needing to change the culture when it comes to head and neck injuries like these," and termed the repercussions of such hits as "potentially life-threatening."

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81b6d381/article/league-could-suspend-players-for-helmettohelmet-hits

[Shortline Bus]

So is the NFL overreacting? No doubt this is being done to prevent a death on the field.

[Shortline Bus]

No replies?

 

NFL could suspend players for helmet-to-helmet hits

 

By Jason La Canfora NFL Network 10/20/10

 

Ray Anderson, the NFL's executive vice president of football operations, said Monday that harsher fines and possibly suspensions for helmet-to-helmet hits could be coming immediately, even for first-time offenders.

 

Anderson is involved with all levels of on-field discipline. After watching several Week 6 hits that he termed "egregious," "flagrant," and "really disturbing," Anderson said the league "will be more proactive" in dealing with any cases of potential head and neck trauma.

 

Unlock HQ Video HQ video delivered by Akamai

 

"It could happen immediately," Anderson said of the initiative after several players suffered apparent concussions Sunday. "The level of discipline on those types of hits is going to be much more aggressive ... and that could include a suspension even for a first-time offender."

 

Anderson said the degree to which players have been willing to lead with their heads and flaunt rules has caught the league's attention, and he pointed to comments made by former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy and former NFL safety Rodney Harrison. The pair, now football analysts for NBC, both espoused suspensions for such hits, and Harrison, who was fined more than $200,000 during his career, said the punishment "didn't get my attention."

 

"Fines aren't getting it done," Anderson said. "Suspensions will get their attention."

 

Anderson told The Associated Press that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will have the final say on any changes. League officials will consult with the NFL Players Association, too, but Anderson said he doesn't expect any opposition.

 

"Obviously, suspensions would be a much bigger deal than fining guys," Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday, the team's player representative, told The AP. "But if guys are headhunting out there to knock a guy out of the game, that's the only way to take care of it."

 

Anderson said the league will continue to be severe in its handling of repeat offenders, saying there "will be even more elevated" discipline for those players. He spoke of "needing to change the culture when it comes to head and neck injuries like these," and termed the repercussions of such hits as "potentially life-threatening."

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81b6d381/article/league-could-suspend-players-for-helmettohelmet-hits