Even though numerous players were forced to leave games last season owing to injuries sustained by hip-drop tackles, NFL players are not happy about a new regulation regulating the potential ban on these types of tackles.
The union president and former center for the New York Jets, Kevin Mawae, has been outspoken in his criticism of the NFL’s approach to safety issues in football. He has suggested in the past that NFL executives have to “take their skirt off” when it comes to the risks involved in playing football. Troy Vincent, the NFL’s chief of operations, asserts that players frequently oppose required modifications, particularly when those modifications eliminate risky game plays. In his opinion, the game has become better over time due to prior rule modifications.
“There is always going to be resistance from the player when you talk about removing things, and I respect that,” Vincent added. “There was resistance to removing the blindside block, the crackback block, and the attack block.”
“It was difficult to take off the horse collar. As previously said in the introduction, availability and durability rank first and second for professional athletes, especially football players,” he said. “When I utilize my technique, the injury rate is between 20 and 25 percent. Though they are the game’s gatekeepers, I respect their position. This is something we need to get rid of.”
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Vincent discussed the efforts being made by the NFL to improve player safety in the game. He clarified that their goal is not to increase the number of penalties given, but rather to examine riskier tactics. He also talked about the value of retired athletes like Curtis Martin and Ronnie Lott in assisting with player safety.
According to Vincent, there are many different defensive play types that might result in injuries, so the league wants to be proactive and not overlook any risks or dangers. When a player drops to defend against a hip-drop tackle, they typically do it from behind or by putting their arms around the player who has the ball, dropping to the ground, and landing on their legs.
This tactic has the potential to harm the player being tackled if used carelessly. A hip-drop tackle is 25 times more likely to result in an injury than a regular tackle, according to a former NFL executive.
This tackling technique has caused injuries to a number of players this season, notably Seattle Seahawks’ Geno Smith and Baltimore Ravens’ Mark Andrews.When Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins was tackled in this manner during a game against the Tennessee Titans, he sustained more injuries. He was unable to move for the remainder of the game after landing hard on his leg and injuring his ankle.
Speaking out was Ryan Clark, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ union representative from 2006 to 2013. He claimed that the league made an effort to discredit players, particularly James Harrison, who delivered strong hits. Harripaid pay over £170,000 [$225,000] in fines during his career. Of the nine sanctions, six were related to late or unlawful hits on other players during games.
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