Does the NFL Value its Players?
A picture posted by the Buffalo Bills of Damar showing support after recovering
NFL injuries are standard on the field; however, the NFL hasn’t said anything to show that they care about players’ severe injuries or mental health. As a result, there have been serious injuries such as Damar Hamlin, safety for the Bills suffering cardiac arrest on the field, Russell Gage not being able to get up after being hit in the neck and suffering a concussion, and Tua Tugovailoa, the Dolphins Quarterback getting back-to-back concussions causing his fingers to splay gruesomely. These are some of the severe injuries that have happened, causing fans to wonder if the NFL values its players.
We are seeing third-year quarterback Tua Tugovailoa suffer another concussion after having one in week four and having a suspected one. His last concussions prompted Miami to prioritize his long-term health just days before a playoff game. Tua’s concussions made the NFL change the concussion protocol. In week 16 vs. the Green Bay Packers, the Dolphins and the NFL again came under fire after Tua hit the back of his head in a game shortly before halftime. Tua was never removed from the game and threw three second-half interceptions. Although McDaniel confirmed that Tugovailoa was once again in the protocol a few days later, the concussion went unnoticed by the Dolphin’s medical staff and NFL spotters. Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin suggested that Tua no longer play that season, including playoffs. Aaron Rogers, Green Bay Packers quarterback, went a step further, saying that Tua should consider calling it a career: “It’s probably time to consider maybe shutting it down.”
We’ve seen Hamlin suffer cardiac arrest, and he was rushed to the University Of Cincinnati medical center hospital, where he was released from the intensive care unit and transferred to the Buffalo General Medical center before being discharged. The Bills said Hamlin was released after he underwent a comprehensive medical evaluation, including cardiac, neurological and vascular testing. Dr. Timothy Pritts said Hamlin was on “a very normal to even accelerated” trajectory, which means that his progress has been a little but ahead of what’s expected at each stage. Hamlin will continue to need different kinds of therapy and care from specialists, his doctors said, as he regains strength and continues to recover from being intubated for three days. Hamlin’s injury impacted everyone on the field including fans in the stands, fans at home, watching the game and even other professional sports players were tweeting about how scary it was seeing everything unfold. Shemarr Session (11)
“The NFL should take more caution with their players by making sure players are 110% before they take the field.”
“The NFL should figure out more ways to protect the head area of players because Tua’s 3 concussions are ridiculous. They also should just find better lineman to protect Tua if he decides to keep playing, I personally think he should.” Diane Phillips(registered nurse)
“I think the NFL needs to really try to make more and better rules regarding the injuries that’s been happening. I know it’s a contact sport but like somebody’s heart stopping on the field and a player having over 3 concussions and constantly entering protocol as many times as Tua has should make them want to do something but then again the NFL is a business.”
Yes injuries come with playing a contact sport no matter how big or how small the injury is the NFL isn’t showing and hasn’t been showing they care about their injured players, yes it’s a business but it’s also about how healthy their players are after they’ve retired and moved on from the sport. Yes they’ve been fining players for big hits but it’s like they care more about the money than the safety of the players that earn them money. After Hamlin’s injury it shouldn’t have taken them 2 hours to completely end the game, they fine the Dolphins for Tua’s situation but that’s still not showing they care about them.
Damaj'ia is a senior, and this is her third year of journalism. She joined journalism because she enjoys reading and likes writing. Her main interest is...
