The Presidents Corner

"Football has become too violent and brutal."
"It should be illegal to play this barbaric game."
"We have to do something! Sound familiar?"

In the early 1900s President Teddy Roosevelt called a Football Committee meeting, inviting the leading coaches of the time, including Knute Rockne, head coach at a small college in Indiana called Notre Dame. The flying wedge blocking had resulted in many concussions. The leather helmets did not protect the players against the tough running game. Roosevelt's Committee meeting concluded with a pledge from the coaches that the game would be changed. Surmising that forward pass was a solution to the brutal running attack, Coach Rockne went on to create a sophisticated passing offense that saved the game of football. Who knew that in 2010 the passing game would be blamed on the recent flood of injuries?

What to do - go back to the running game? Wear leather helmets again? Eliminate helmets? (Australian Rules football do not allow helmets)
How do you protect defenseless players from head-on collisions? Some suggested outlawing zone coverage that allows for several defenders to ambush a receiver coming across the middle. Others suggested that quarterbacks should get better training so their floating passes do not hang their receivers up in the air, creating vulnerability. My suggestion would be to do what youth football insists upon. Do background checks on all coaches and only allow those who fully understand coaching and playing to have the privilege to coach. Throw the bums out!

Technological developments have turned fields into fast tracks and equipment into form-fitting apparel. It is sad that in modern football the equipment you wear for protection can also be misused to inflict an injury on opposing players. Woody Hayes, the legendary coach of The Ohio State University, once insisted on a head gear that protected the opponent, as well as the wearer. The Ohio State football helmet had a six-inch wide pad running front to back on the outside of the helmet. Woody wanted NCAA Football teams to adopt the helmet so all players could have extra protection. But the logic of protecting your opponent while protecting yourself was not a priority for Woody's rival coaches.

The solution is simple. Spearing (using the helmet as a weapon) is a violation of the rules and that rule needs to be enforced. The defenseless QB, punter, and kicker are protected. So should the receivers reaching high for the ball. Defenders do not have to aim their head at the receiver's head. NFL defenders have been seen diving at receivers head-first, like a projectile missile. Players spearing defenseless players in the head should be immediately suspended from the game and placed on probation.

NFL coaches would be more inclined to coach safer tackling techniques if penalties were imposed consistently. Football is a collision sport. There will never be less contact in the game, but there needs to be strict enforcement of the rules to eliminate aiming for a helmet to helmet hit. Anyone can tell the difference between a solid "wrap em up tackle" and a "Cheap Shot."

Youth football is under attack by many in the media and upper levels of football. Articles have appeared in the media daily, placing the blame on Youth Football. It is laughable that career professionals justify playing outside the rules by blaming youth football. The volunteers who invest valuable time to give back to the kids are to be commended. Be proud of what Youth Football represents to communities across America. Training, background checks, and end of season evaluations lift your programs above the norm. Statistics prove Youth Football is the Nation's safest version of football. Youth football is safer than other sports and safer than free play on playgrounds. Those of us in Youth Football must continue to take a leadership position in safety. Let's show them how the game was meant to be played. See below what Dr. Mark Adickes, former NFL player, answered when asked, "Should you let your child play football?"
Should you let your child play football?

The latest take on the debate over concussions, kids and football comes from a former Redskins player who now is an orthopedic surgeon in Houston. Mark Adickes was an offensive lineman for the Redskins' team that won Super Bowl XXVI and, in addition to practicing medicine, is the father of a high-school football player. Adickes stops short of Mike Wilbon's stance about not allowing his son to play football, but cautions parents to make sure their kids have smart coaching and use proper technique and equipment. View the clip

Click here to read more editorial items on the benefits of youth football and the development of safe football skills.