National Football League Questioned: Do Helmets Help, or Hurt?
I read an interesting story in the Wall Street Journal today, which raises the question as to whether or not helmets should be banned in the National Football League (NFL). In recent months the NFL has come under scrutiny after research revealed the long-term dangers associated with concussions and other head injuries sustained by players during a game.
Though everyone knows football has always been a dangerous sport, recent research proves that although a player may seem fine after an injury, and even though medical teams have cleared the player to return to the field, the dangerous and life-threatening effects of the injury will remain long after the game has finished.
Congress even called a hearing on the subject last month, questioning NFL officials as to the care of retired players. Roger Goodell, commissioner of the NFL, defended the league’s response to the issue of concussions and the care of retired players during questioning from the House Judiciary Committee.
But now the recent question has been asked, “Why do football players wear helmets in the first place? And more important, could the helmets be part of the problem?” Some believe that removing the helmets will encourage players to be less forceful when playing, and in turn will reduce the number of head injuries. Though other medical professionals claim that helmets are the reason serious injuries and death are prevented in most cases.
Although there are conflicting beliefs as to what is best for players, the issue at hand remains: there is a dire need to prevent devestating long-term injuries in the NFL. The League needs to step up and find a way to protect it’s players now, so that they will be protected long after the game is over.