While these changes experienced have been proven to be successful at the collegiate level, the same cannot be said when it comes to the professional athletes in the NFL. Even though changes have taken place with NFL kickoff rules, stemming from the successful study from the Ivy League, the NFL is witnessing different effects. Concussions are still five times as likely to occur on a kickoff play than any other play and other types of injuries have increased (NFL Competition Committee). While touchback rates have increased, the persistent problem of concussions remains. New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick points out that, “Players still block because they don’t know whether their returner is taking the ball out of the end zone or not. So even if touchbacks increased significantly, that wouldn’t necessarily mean injuries on kickoffs would decrease significantly.”
With regards to other injuries, during the first year of experimenting with rule changes on kickoff plays, hamstring injuries have increased by 15%, ACL tears have increased by 75%, and MCL tears have increased by 40% (NFL Injury Report). Maybe the NFL is too focused on preventing future lawsuits, similar to those that are ongoing pertaining to concussion related injuries and costing them so much money. If they were truly concerned about player safety then maybe they might consider all types of injuries rather than the one they are being sued for. Apparently the head is the only part of the body that needs to stay safe. Or maybe it’s because no one has sued over ACL tears. Perhaps they should. When you witness the NFL adjusting rules solely to protect players, don’t accept it to be true. The NFL is making these changes to protect itself. These changes are to safeguard the league from future lawsuits as well as protect their most valuable assets which have the largest influence on revenue generation.
If the NFL was genuinely concerned about player safety, prior to adjusting safety rules, one would assume it would be beneficial to consult those same players in which the rules effect, rather than committees and board members speaking for them. If plays such as the kickoff are so dangerous then why not just get rid of them? Maybe the league should consider eliminating Thursday night games due to short recovery times that increase injury rates. No, that would yield too low a level of earnings from which the league craves. Simply put, the NFL is motivated by money. There is nothing unacceptable about that. However, to imply that it’s any other reason than profit generation as to why the NFL is making these changes is ridiculous.
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