Helmet-to-helmet collision

Two helmets colliding

Helmet-to-helmet collisions are occurrences in American football when two players' helmets make head-to-head contact with a high degree of force. Despite its long association with the sport, this type of contact is now considered to be dangerous play by league authorities due to the potential of causing serious injury. Major football leagues, such as the NFL and NCAA, have taken a tougher stance on helmet-to-helmet collisions after the US Congress launched an investigation into the effects repeated concussions have on football players.[1] Other possible injuries include head traumas, spinal cord injuries, and even death; nevertheless helmet manufacturers are constantly improving their designs in order to best protect their users against injuries from such collisions.[2] Intentionally causing a helmet-to-helmet collision is banned in most, if not all, football leagues.

The crack down on helmet-to-helmet collisions has resulted in reappraisals of the sport. An image of two helmets smashing together—which had been a staple for 20 years—was dropped in 2006 from Monday Night Football on ESPN. The NFL also ordered Toyota Motor Company to stop using similar helmet collision in its advertisements.[3]

However, despite the safety concerns, some professional football players have criticized bans on helmet-to-helmet collisions on the basis that gridiron football is a game that is supposed to be composed of the world's biggest and best athletes, and placing such restrictions "waters down" the game.[4]

Rules by league

Notable helmet-to-helmet collisions

See also

References

  1. Gill, Sam (October 27, 2010). "Helmet-to-helmet hypocrisy: NFL, NCAA blame football players - when the problem is football programs". New York Daily News. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
  2. Garrett, Melanie. Under His Helmet: A Football Devotional. p. 23.
  3. 1 2 Thomas, Katie (October 21, 2010). "N.F.L.’s Policy on Helmet-to-Helmet Hits Makes Highlights Distasteful". New York Times. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  4. Gregory, Sean (Oct 22, 2010). "Can Football Finally Tackle Its Injury Problem?". Time Magazine. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
  5. Bucholtz, Andrew. "Concussions: the CFL's rules and the impact on defensive players". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  6. Nowinski, Christopher. Head games: football's concussion crisis from the NFL to youth leagues. pp. 104–05.
  7. http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/14930750/replay-officials-given-greater-input-targeting-penalty-calls-next-season
  8. Schwartz, Allan (November 29, 2010). "Ex-Player Is Suing Over Pay for Injury". New York Times. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  9. Quigley, Rachel (September 15, 2011). "Another young footballer dies from brain injury after helmet-to-helmet collision". Daily Mail. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  10. Eliasoph, Jeff (October 17, 2011). "16 year old football player killed by helmet to helmet contact". KWWL News. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
  11. Klemko, Robert (Dec 13, 2011). "Steelers LB James Harrison suspended one game". USA Today. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
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