NFL Broadens Player Safety Rules, Infuriates Players

It's said that no good deed goes unpunished, and so it is with the NFL trying to cut down on the traumatic brain injuries and concussions that have dominated football discussion for two years now.

Within hours of the NFL's announcement on Tuesday that it would extend rules already in place to enhance player safety, NFL players started coming out in fierce and direct opposition to the new edicts, approved at the annual meeting of the league's owners.

The most significant rule change could be that teams will now face risk of punishment after multiple flagrant hits, with penalties going beyond the financial kind and possibly resulting in lost draft picks.

Another significant rule change includes extending protections for defenseless players to place kickers, punters and quarterbacks after a change of possession. (Right now, during a play in which there's an interception or other change of possession, a quarterback becomes fair game for someone to take down without consideration.) The NFL is also expanding its rule on "launching" into defenseless players, mandating a 15-yard penalty for any player who leaves his feet and hits another player in the helmet with his helmet.

James Harrison, an oft-fined linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers and one-time Defensive Player of the Year, took his aggravation to his Twitter account, @jharrison9292 (seen above). One of his teammates, LaMarr Woodley vented while giving an interview on SiriusXM satellite radio.

"Man, they're getting ridiculous," he said. "Football is turning soft now. Too many fines. Too many penalties protecting the quarterback every single play. Defensive guys can't be defensive guys no more."

On his Twitter account, @LaMarrWoodley, he was just a tad more snarky: Thoughts on "the steelers rule"??? lol im sorry that im not sorry we hit 2 hard.

Harrison, meanwhile, sought to clarify his comments by – what else? – starting his own blog:

I understand the intent behind making the rules, but in their attempt to make the game safer, they are actually clouding what is allowable. Even the referees are confused. A close look will show you that the referees were calling things that were not even supposed to be called, and NOT calling things that were actually illegal.

...

I wonder why the NFL is suddenly coming down so hard on player's safety issues. I can't help but think it's not actually for the safety of the players.

You can debate for days about why Harrison doesn't grasp the problem of head injuries and concussions, or why he obviously sees this as a larger extension of the idea that football – and America, by extension – is experiencing some sort of wussification. But the facts are that almost every deceased player's brain donated to science, to be studied specifically for degenerative, life-debilitating diseases, has shown evidence of exactly those conditions.

Give Harrison credit for wanting to do his job in the most efficient and effective way possible, like any of us working stiffs strive to do in the workplace. But a little perspective and compassion likely wouldn't prevent Harrison from making his fifth straight Pro Bowl this year – and it might even enhance some opposing player's quality of life years from now.

And in case Harrison wasn't aware, it's not just quarterbacks who get their brains knocked around inside their skull. It can also happen to linebackers. Just ask the Philadelphia Eagles' Stewart Bradley.

Thumbnail photo via YouTube

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