Roger Goodells Newest Smoke Screen

Ray Rice (Domestic Abuse)
Johnny Manziel (Domestic Abuse allegation)
Greg Hardy (Domestic Abuse allegation, Gun charges. Both mysteriously disappeared)
Bruce Miller (Domestic Abuse that somehow became misdemeanor vandalism)
Rodney Austin (Domestic Abuse)
Ray McDonald (Domestic Abuse, child endangerment)

The sport of football is a high testosterone fueled, violent sport. The problem is players aren't leaving the violence on the field. The above list is just a very small sample of the players that just since the 2015 Superbowl, have been accused and or arrested and charged with Domestic battery of some sort. This doesn't include at all the multitude of arrests for drugs, alcohol, gun violations, animal abuse etc. These are just a couple of the guys who, for one reason or another decided to physically put their hands on a female.

I take personal issue with "men" like this. I watched for years as my mother was a victim of abuse. There is nothing that brings a fire out in me quicker (besides someone messing with my kids), than to hear, see or read about a woman being abused by someone that she should feel safe around. I do everything in my power to make sure my boys are being raised to respect and love women. And to know when they are angry to walk away from the situation. However like most boys, mine LOVE sports. And they look up to these players. So then of course I get to answer the questions about why aren't they playing, why did they get arrested? I'm not saying these players should be held at a higher standard than any other man out there. However I believe they do need to be taken out of the limelight and punished beyond just a few games suspension.

So what is the NFL's "answer" to the problem? As of today February 9th, 2016. The NFL has decided that should a NFL prospect have a conviction for Domestic Abuse or Gun Charges, they will not be allowed to attend the NFL combine or the NFL draft. No offense Goodell, but nice smoke screen! These players will still have their pro days, they will still have the media talking about them (in the football sense, not the criminal one). So what have your really accomplished Goodell? OH WAIT! I know what this is. If they aren't at the combine or the NFL draft then YOU don't have to talk about them on YOUR t.v. programs. Like I said, nice smokescreen. Why not take the responsible step Roger? Plain and simple, if you are convicted of a violent offense, domestic abuse, gun charge or a felony drug charge then you simply can't be drafted. How do you think this slap on the wrist is really hurting these guys, they will still get drafted in the high rounds if they are talented and still make millions. You really want to prove a point? No draft eligibility, plain and simple. Walk on, league minimum salary for the first 2 years. Stay out of trouble, then your eligible for the bigger money.

As far as the guys already in the league? Make it a no grey area. If your convicted of a violent offense or felony, your out. No questions asked. Contract Void. Adios. Goodbye. These players, college and pro have got to start being held accountable for all their actions. On and off the field. If they aren't, nothing will ever change. And the violence will continue. More videos of a full grown man clocking their wife will make it to the press. And god forbid, an obituary. We fans spend millions a year in merchandise, tickets, pay to watch etc. And we should have every right to hold these men to the same standards that we are held to.

Once again this is my opinion, any questions, comments, thoughts or opinions of your own are always appreciated. Thanks for reading!

Concussions-The attack on Youth Football and how the NFL can help

con·cus·sion

kənˈkəSHən/

noun

1. 1.

   temporary unconsciousness caused by a blow to the head. The term is also used loosely of the aftereffects such as confusion or temporary incapacity.

   
   

 Please keep in mind as I discuss this topic that I am not only looking at it from a parents point of view. But also as someone who loves the game of football. I have played, coached, and loved this game for many, many years. I don't believe that because of this "new" attack on the sport that parents are being given all the information that is truly needed to make an educated decision on allowing their children to play the game that has molded so many peoples lives. 

 Player participation in youth football is drastically dropping with parents talking their sons into playing sports such as soccer and baseball. What doesn't come out is the fact that soccer is actually the leading sport for youth concussions in the United States. Is this attributed to the fact that the rise in participation in the sport has risen exponentially in the last 10 years? Or is it the fact that these children still aren't being taught the proper methods to play the game safely at their age levels? Most youth sports programs are paid for, governed, and taught at a small local level. Most of the coaches for these sports are parents that may or may not have even played the sports that they are coaching. Much less have any sort of training on teaching the kids at their respected age levels the proper and safe methods of playing the game. I think this is where a big problem is in youth sports. I'm not questioning the intentions of these coaches, hell I was one of them myself. What I do question is what can be done to make sure that these kids are being taught the sport safely, and as age appropriate as possible.

  Per the Pop Warner league website, the average youth football player will have 240 head collisions in a season. This isn't saying full on head to head hard collisions. This is saying that 240 times they will hit their head. At a youth level the brain isn't fully developed and that means it's very susceptible to injury. Hell even for an adult, if you hit your head even lightly 240 times in a short period of time you will feel some sort of effect. I believe that concussions and CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) is a very big problem. But I also believe that we can still do more to make the game safer. In the upcoming 2016 season the NFL is bringing in new, safer helmets. And yes, this is a start. But what about the younger programs? The programs that don't have access to even 1% of the NFL's stockpile of cash? This is where we need to concentrate our energy and mental prowess on. Most youth programs in the United States are locally ran, they don't fall under the Pop Warner governing body. They are local, small towns where a group of parents run the show. And it's highly appreciated and endearing to have these parents step up and want to help these youth gain the experience and love of the game that so many of us have. Still this is where we need to make the changes, to start good habits and safer game play.

  Flag football is gaining popularity throughout the nation, but is still not being offered enough for the younger kids programs. Most small towns in our area have youth football for kids starting in 3rd grade, which is awesome. However, a lot of these programs start these kids playing tackle football immediately. This is an issue, this can be and should be changed. There is absolutely no reason to have children this small playing tackle football. So let's change it. Let's use the first 2 years of these children's football experience to teach them the basics. I'm talking blocking, route running, pursuit routes etc. Let them develop the basic knowledge of the game before moving into the more physical aspect. I know a lot of you are saying "Ok, well how does this make the game safer?". By them having a more basic understanding of the basics you can work more solidly on the safer and more proper way of tackling when they reach the next level.

  But this is where the importance of "coach education" comes in. As I said previously, most of these coaches are fathers who may have played ball 15-20 years ago in high school. They are volunteers who don't get paid, they do it hoping to maybe make a difference in some young mans life. But this is also where we are slipping, I still see these coaches running "bull in the ring" and other "old school" drills with these kids. These drills aren't even ran at the professional level anymore because of the knowledge that people are easily injured in these drills. We need to change our style, and thinking of the sport and how these kids are taught. These kids today are bigger, faster and stronger than kids were when we played. And of course this increases the chances of injuries. We need education as coaches. And this is where the NFL could and should start helping. They are so worried about the future of the sport, then start where it begins. Youth Football.

  The NFL has a great program known as the "Heads Up" program. This program is intended to teach coaches and players proper tackling techniques to help eliminate the dangerous head to head collisions and spearing tackles that we have seen hurt so many players over the years. If the NFL wants to help save this sport that brings in billions of dollars a year to the league and owners, then they need to help educate the youth coaches. This could and should be done. If the NFL would team up with the local universities throughout the United States and hold clinics for these coaches to attend at little or no cost to them (keep in mind, most are volunteers). Not only would they be teaching the college players coming through the ranks, but also teaching the coaches of our young children the proper way that they should be handling our kids. Everything to educate the youth coaches and players can be done reasonably easily by the NFL. These kids are the future of the sport and the proper education and techniques should be available to them; just as they are available to the 2% that get to play the game professionally.

  This is my opinion, view and reasonable idea on how to help save the game that so many love. I hope that parents realize that when properly taught, these children can enjoy the sport as much as so many millions have for many years. Injuries will happen, but we can change the severity of some of them with proper techniques.