MikeIsGood wrote:Not sure whether your post was in response to mine or not - and truthfully, it really doesn't matter because I should make this point regardless.
I most notably speak of the general public and the media. Tagliabue does a much better job in this regard than his predecessor. I think there are still definite means of taking safety that have not been done. That does not come without sacrifice, as he is quite obviously in a position of needing to balance entertainment with profit as you mention (one I am not in), but the measures are still there regardless. With that said, I applaud the efforts he has made. The issue comes from the players, organizations, media, fans, etc. that DO sweep it under the rug. This gets talked about most prominently in articles featured on the back page, so to speak, on TV shows that air while everyone is working, by players who criticize concussed players then "apologize," etc.
Research is what is needed, and is why I am so happy that players are stepping up to ensure that the research can be done as time goes on, but this also wasn't discovered yesterday. Not a lot is known, but yet a lot is, and it is an incredibly important issue that did not always - and does not still - have the proper attention of the relevant parties (the important party is virtually everyone).
This, admittedly, is a hot-button issue for me and is why I always talk about it. I'm glad this thread got even one response because I was not expecting much.
It was a general remark about the situation, not necessarily in response to anything that you said.
By Tagliabue I assume you meant Goodell.
Yes, the media does need to do a better job of informing the public as well so parents and prospective players can make informed decisions, but many have a stake in the claim of sweeping it under the carpet as well.
I was listening to Boers and Bernstein a week or two ago on Chicago sports Radio, scavenging for discussion about the Packers' Super Bowl triumph, and the issue came up about the enlightenment in regards to head injuries and precautions taken in response. It seemed like Bernstein was concerned that the truth was coming out and that would reduce the ferocity of collisions in the game and in turn enjoyment level for him. He was conscious enough to make the comparison in the relationship of football fans to players as that of spectators to Roman Gladiators, and football as the boxing of the future where it's one of the last resorts for a person to remove themselves from their dire socioeconomic situation; but still acted as if things should stay the same. Many people just want their opiate and means of profiting, regardless who else gets hurt in the way.
I'll continue to watch it as long as they put the product out there, because I don't have the power to change anything, but strongly prefer that it does, no matter what the risk to the game (I probably wouldn't lose much enjoyment because I don't watch for violence, really), and I hope that increased testing and full disclosure is a demand of the player's union this offseason, and they'll also accept increased fines for egregious violations to the no head striking rule.