Butch says "Kickoffs to be eliminated"

[UT Hill Man]

CBJ cares about player safety more than just about any coach I can remember. He's behind the player's 100% and is always going to do what's best for them.

Y! SPORTS

 

[Ut_Airade_Attack]

CBJ cares about player safety more than just about any coach I can remember. He's behind the player's 100% and is always going to do what's best for them.

Y! SPORTS

I really hope that doesn't happen. Football is a violent sport. Its not for sissy boys. The big wigs in the NCAA are gonna ruin this great sport

 

[508mikey]

oh and what about punts ------------ duh

 

[Vol4life25]

Read the article before you post something.....

He never said he supported eliminating kick offs, he said "I wouldn't be surprised if they eliminate kick offs in the next 5 years."

I think I speak for 99% of TRUE football fans, that think that is the the worst decision ever.

I read a survey a month ago where they asked over 100+ college and NFL players if they agree with taking away the kick off. 83% said NO.

 

[pismonque]

Not sure quoting Tressel is the best way to make that point.

 

[Vercingetorix]

It has nothing to do with the game. It has to do with legal liability and CYA down the road when lawsuits go before juries. Kickoffs are the most dangerous plays in the game. It's hard to argue that you've done everything possible to keep players safe if you haven't eliminated them.

I doubt anybody's happy about it, but it's circle the wagons time.

 

[TennesseeFan07]

It will be a sad day when this happens. It will probably happen, too.

 

[TheDeeble]

It has nothing to do with the game. It has to do with legal liability and CYA down the road when lawsuits go before juries. Kickoffs are the most dangerous plays in the game. It's hard to argue that you've done everything possible to keep players safe if you haven't eliminated them.

I doubt anybody's happy about it, but it's circle the wagons time.

Don't have any numbers in front of me, but I don't remember many injuries happening on kickoffs.

 

[Volosaurus rex]

Neither do I, but, as of June 7th, last year, we entered an era when "More than 2,000 former NFL players filed a lawsuit this morning in Philadelphia, accusing the league of concealing information linking football-related injuries to long-term brain damage" (http://www.volnation.com/forum/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=8330191). So, this is the new legal reality with which we are faced.

 

[Vercingetorix]

Don't have any numbers in front of me, but I don't remember many injuries happening on kickoffs.

I don't have a link in front of me, but I've seen some numbers before. A disproportionately large number of serious injuries occur on kickoffs, considering what a tiny percentage of plays kickoffs make up. Which makes sense, considering that it's the only play when everybody on both teams gets to run right at each other with a full head of steam.

Obviously it's a symbolic thing more than anything. But everything that's being done w/r/t football and safety now, at both the NFL and college levels, is with an eye towards what will persuade a jury someday. It's too bad.

 

[PrattvilleVol]

Kickoffs are crowd motivators and often times game changers. They aren't going anywhere. It's the prelude to battle on the field and sets an immediate tone for the game.

 

[vol2013]

Don't have any numbers in front of me, but I don't remember many injuries happening on kickoffs.

According to the New York times 17% of all serious injuries occur on kickoffs despite the fact that they only account for 6% of the total plays.

Quirks of the Game: Should the N.F.L. Kill the Kickoff? - NYTimes.com

 

[AshG]

Our lust for blood should never outweigh the safety and longevity of the players on the field. If giving up kickoffs saves players from a broken neck, chronic concussion syndrome, or early onset dementia, then we must put aside personal desire for catharsis and do what is best for them.

They're not animals bred for our pleasure, they're human beings. Maybe we should treat them as such.

 

[Catbone]

Where does it end? What will be next that they take away?

 

[Vercingetorix]

Kickoffs are crowd motivators and often times game changers. They aren't going anywhere. It's the prelude to battle on the field and sets an immediate tone for the game.

 

[Vercingetorix]

I'm not saying I agree with it. I'm just saying that people who don't think football is going to look radically different in 10-15 years are kidding themselves.

 

[orange parmejohn]

I'm not saying I agree with it. I'm just saying that people who don't think football is going to look radically different in 10-15 years are kidding themselves.

in 15 years, soccer is going to be a pretty big sport on America. watered down football may contribute even more to that.

 

[GAVol]

Just go back to kicking off from the 40 like they did back in the day and take away the running start by the kicking team.

 

[GAVol]

in 15 years, soccer is going to be a pretty big sport on America. watered down football may contribute even more to that.

I've been hearing that for 30 years.

 

[kentucky sucks]

Remove the kickoff? Might as well take away post patterns while we're at it.

 

[Special Ed]

Does this mean the Kickoff Classic will have to change its name?

 

[GAVol]

Where does it end? What will be next that they take away?

It's not like this type thing hasn't been happening since the sport began. The game had constantly seen changes for safety reasons going back to the elimination of the flying wedge and implementing the forward pass to open things up.

 

[GAVol]

Does this mean the Kickoff Classic will have to change its name?

I should close the thread right now. :thumbsup:

 

[Cartervol]

Let's put flags on them.. Give girls a shot at it.. You know, the no loser thing and everyone gets a trophy deal...

 

[Danron]

I agree lets not get rid of kickoffs. Football is a violent sport lets not turn this into 2 hand touch.