On-field Hazards
Sports provide the body with exercise and physical activity that is essential for the well-being of the body. However, these benefits come with a risk or being injured or harmed by the various amount of hazardous situations one could occur during sports. Each major sport has its own unique, individual hazards that are most likely to occur. Some sports are much more dangerous than others, but some happen to be more life-threatening than the ones more dangerous.
Take baseball for example; mostly a non-contact sport that does not have near the amount of injuries as football or basketball, but it is considered to be the most life-threatening. This is mainly because the batters and pitchers are at risk of serious head injuries due to being exposed to 90+ MPH shots to the head from a hard ball. (2) It is by far the most dangerous hazard that can occur in sports as a comebacker to the mound could end a pitcher’s life who would not have time to react. Batters are already somewhat protected by having helmets that take away much of the impact that would otherwise be quite traumatic.(2) Still, even with helmets, batters are still at risk to head injuries, which is why the discussion of pitchers wearing helmets has occurred. (2) It has already been established by lower levels of competition and the idea has recently been entertained by MLB officials. (2) This goes along with the debate of whether it is going too far, as even though it would provide pitchers protection, it would also be uncomfortable and may cause disapproval from players.
Take baseball for example; mostly a non-contact sport that does not have near the amount of injuries as football or basketball, but it is considered to be the most life-threatening. This is mainly because the batters and pitchers are at risk of serious head injuries due to being exposed to 90+ MPH shots to the head from a hard ball. (2) It is by far the most dangerous hazard that can occur in sports as a comebacker to the mound could end a pitcher’s life who would not have time to react. Batters are already somewhat protected by having helmets that take away much of the impact that would otherwise be quite traumatic.(2) Still, even with helmets, batters are still at risk to head injuries, which is why the discussion of pitchers wearing helmets has occurred. (2) It has already been established by lower levels of competition and the idea has recently been entertained by MLB officials. (2) This goes along with the debate of whether it is going too far, as even though it would provide pitchers protection, it would also be uncomfortable and may cause disapproval from players.
The main Focus
Football would be considered by most the most consistently dangerous major sport. With full out contact, high speed/velocity hits, and other factors, football is hotbed for injuries waiting to happen. First of all, whenever a tackle is involved in anything, the opportunity for injuries increases exponentially. Athletes are exposed to injuries from all over the body and without protection, they could be devastating. Fortunately, pads and helmets are required but there is still a lot of room for injuries to occur. (1) With the addition of penalties including roughing the passer, roughing the kicker, fair catch, and facemasks, league officials have done a tremendous job in establishing some sort of protection for its players. (1) One of the best additions that the league has added to the rules is the concussion test system. Due to a number of NFL alumni suffering CTE, which is a brain illness that is caused by a history of concussions, the league has required players with concussions to pass a test in order to get back in action. (6) This is one of the examples of the positive strides the NFL league officials have made throughout this process.However, as of recently, the addition of new rules has caused mass controversy throughout the league.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has done more than nearly all NFL Commissioners combined to make safety a top priority in the league. Since his tenure, the helmet-to-helmet penalty, the defenseless receiver penalty and horse-collar have all been established as new safety rules. (1) Though these rules have been effective and were meant to be for the good of the game, a lot of controversy has occurred due to the fact of the misconceptions of the calls in the actual games. There have been plenty of occasions where what appears to be a clean play called for a penalty, which has definitely caused displeasure amongst the players, coaches, and fans. (5) This has led to the unpopularity and disapproval of Goodell that has been apparent amongst fans and players specifically. (5) Goodell continues to receive criticism after his radical proposals of changing the dimensions of the field and increasing fines for rule violators. (5)This is where the pro-integrity supporters have leverage on the pro-safety side, as extreme changes are being discussed, which is something that very few would approve of.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has done more than nearly all NFL Commissioners combined to make safety a top priority in the league. Since his tenure, the helmet-to-helmet penalty, the defenseless receiver penalty and horse-collar have all been established as new safety rules. (1) Though these rules have been effective and were meant to be for the good of the game, a lot of controversy has occurred due to the fact of the misconceptions of the calls in the actual games. There have been plenty of occasions where what appears to be a clean play called for a penalty, which has definitely caused displeasure amongst the players, coaches, and fans. (5) This has led to the unpopularity and disapproval of Goodell that has been apparent amongst fans and players specifically. (5) Goodell continues to receive criticism after his radical proposals of changing the dimensions of the field and increasing fines for rule violators. (5)This is where the pro-integrity supporters have leverage on the pro-safety side, as extreme changes are being discussed, which is something that very few would approve of.
The Recent Increase in Concern
In the basketball, safety has not really began to be questioned until recently after the addition of the ‘no-charge’ zone and the Kevin Ware injury.(7) In this year’s NCAA Tournament game between the Louisville Cardinals and Duke Blue Devils, Louisville Forward Kevin Ware suffered one of the worst injuries the sports world has ever seen. After the injury, fear struck in the eyes of all who were associated with the game of basketball. On the big stage with a national audience, the safety of the sport was exposed as Ware broke his leg in a gruesome fashion. This has led to many proposing to make leg braces or ankle braces required for basketball players, which would be a significant adjustment for those who have been in the league for a significant amount of time.
Basically, athletes are exposed to injuries every time they step out on the playing surface. Injuries are natural; some can be prevented and some simply cannot. By providing proper safety equipment and appropriate rules and guidelines, the players are the safest they can be while participating in a sport. There is just simply a point where the line is crossed and league officials go overboard with the rules. A good rule of thumb for this situation would be to listen to the fans. If the fans vocalize their displeasure of a certain rule, then it might have been taken too far. Hopefully in the future, league officials will realize when there is a limit of the amount of protection that can be enforced until it harms the sport.