NFL could fine players for violating concussion protocol

[Jville]

When it comes to ‘head health,’ the NFL’s real initiative appears to be the shifting of blame

The league’s watchdog committee didn’t happen to mention the Hardwick incident, and the league hasn’t found the Chargers at fault. However, it’s good to know that down the road, players like Hardwick, whose head injuries may actually prevent them from the understanding that they’re ready or not to re-enter a game, could be held financially responsible for their misdeeds.

That, it seems, is what the NFL has wanted all along — a no-fault free pass to make gobs of money on the backs of the players it claims to care about. And with the decision to possibly fine players for daring to get their bells rung and still want to do their jobs, the NFL has also proved that it has absolutely no shame in the maintenance of its status quo.

[urltargetblank]http://nfl.si.com/2014/01/16/nfl-concussion-protocol/[/urltargetblank]

 

[5_Golden_Rings]

Um, if a guy is concussed, how is he going to be able to judge that he's ready to go? If he can't, how is it ethical to hold him financially responsible if he sneaks on the field?

 

[MizzouHawkGal]

They should be fining the coaches/doctors given it's in their control to even allow it. This makes about as much sense as how the NFL arrives at the amount they fine for whatever rule Roger thinks is being broken.

 

[Scottemojo]

Um, if a guy is concussed, how is he going to be able to judge that he's ready to go? If he can't, how is it ethical to hold him financially responsible if he sneaks on the field?

Truth.

How do they fine the player and not the coaches or training staff? They only know he is concussed to begin with because he fails tests that include questions about date, location, and circumstance.

 

[brimsalabim]

Wait... Does this mean that Harvin could play anyway and we just pay the fine?

Just kidding.

 

[OrFan]

This is like fining a blind guy for running a stop sign with his car.

 

[themunn]

want to stop hits to the head?
if a player leaves the game due to a blow to the head, so does the player that administered the hit (as well as his fine)

watch those hits vanish from the league

 

[irocdave]

I mentioned my experiences with concussions in another thread. To suggest it's only up to doctors is wrong. If you experience a concussion you know something isn't right almost immediately but as a competitor you push through it. That's what drives men. The issue is that the severity doesn't show up instantly. Not trying to alienate woman, but women are not put or do not put themselves in very many situations where the could be expected to encounter a concussion.

If the player makes his way back on to the field after the team doctor has taken his helmet he should be fined. He is putting himself at risk, not the doctor. Not sure what the communications are between the HC and team doctor but it should be clear that once a player has been deemed to have a concussion he should not be allowed to go back on the field. I get that this would be hard for the HC to focus on during a game, especially a playoff game but the player shouldn't make it back on the field. Maybe they need to be escorted by security under watch of the team doctor?