Toews returns to practice after learning concussions are part of the game
Ever had a concussion? It can be described as dazed and confused. Ask Jonathan Toews. The Blackhawks captain shook off the cobwebs and returned to practice on Wednesday. Don't count on him returning to game action this weekend. Then again, Toews didn't count on the Canucks' Willie Mitchell popping out of the penalty box and meeting him at center ice.
I sufferred a concussion over two decades ago in a pick-up football game. Add it to my critics' arsenal. (No wonder my opinions are a little off.) I can tell you about the aftereffects, but don't ask me how I was concussed. Couldn't tell you. The details are not only a little foggy, they are non-existent in my brain.
Concussions are a hot topic these days in the NHL thanks to hits from guys like Mitchell and the Hawks' Andrew Ladd. Add it to the congressional inquiries about the NFL's knowledge of the consequences of brain-related injuries and there are quite a few opinions on the subject.
The president of the humantarian sportswriters guild, Mr. Rick Telander, believes "the head must be off-limits in sports." Mr. Softee claims that concussions have led to several ex-jocks either committing suicide, committing murder or just plain leaving the reservation. While their histories may be contributing factors in their downfalls, how do we explain the same conditions of the non-athlete? Were they dropped on their heads as babies?
Brain injuries are a dangerous matter. The larger we humans get, the more serious the consequences. Thankfully, the goalie mask and the football helmet have both been invented. Still, the incidents of concussions continue every season in both of these winter sports. Can anything more be done to prevent head injuries?
Sure, you can stop playing the games.
Physicality is as much a part of hockey and football as is skating, running, throwing and shooting. Take away the hits and you kill the game.
Telander offers no theory on how to reduce the instances of violence in sports. The thinking goes that boys will be boys and rules must be implemented to avoid the unknowing lads from doing irreparable harm to themselves and each other. Ever wonder why the leagues are hesitant to implement such legislation in their respective games? Why hasn't Mitchell or Ladd been suspended by the NHL?
A simple combination of dollars and sense.
We, the fans, love the big hit. Chicago loves nothing more than a tough guy willing to sacrifice his well-being for the good of his team. We criticize players who avoid contact, i.e. Patrick Kane, even though he may be preserving his health for the long term. The crowd applauds in approval as an oppenent gets crunched into the boards or leveled by a good left cross. Fans pay the owners good money to see their highly paid athletes risk injury every night in arenas across the country.
It also makes no sense to change the game for the worse. I don't advocate irresponsible behavior such as swinging a stick at a guy's melon or stomping on his head. But, a good shoulder check at center ice, count me in favor. If the result is a concussion, so be it.
I don't mean to sound too callous, but do we really care about the future well-being of today's professional athletes? They are employed to entertain us. Even if it means a shorter life-span for the athlete, does not the fan prefer the individual sacrifice if it results in a Super Bowl victory or a Stanley Cup championship? The fan has short-term goals, and therefore so must the player.
Why are injury reports listed daily for every professional sports franchise? Ever think to send a player a get well card? Maybe a care package? No. Neither have I. I'm more concerned as to who will be available for my fantasy roster this weekend. Betting lines are more important than an athlete's future health concerns.
I'm happy at the prospect of having Toews back in the Hawks lineup as soon as possibly next week. But, I also know that as soon as Johnny returns another valuable commodity could end up on the injury shelf. It happens. It's part of the game.
Advances in medicine and technology have helped reduce the number of serious sports injuries. But, a zero-risk sports league is virtually impossible. And really, aren't we all more interested in the preservation of our sports rather than our athletes? The players are disposable, it's the game that matters.
3 Comments
Dave Morris said:
Mark, the players are bigger, faster, and more heavily armored. The doctors are more informed and more careful about concussions. But it's still scary as hell.
The NFL has banned headshots. Why doesn't the NHL?
Mark Kiley said:
All the major sports have issues defining "intent to injure" infractions. The interpretations of game officials would be another topic for angry fans. MLB umpires have the same problem attempting to figure out which pitchers are "headhunting" and which aren't.
Also, even in clean check situations were a player is forced backwards falling onto the ice, is the heads impact with the ice not enough to inflict damage onto the brain?
Was the damage to Toews skull done by Mitchell with the intial hit or the hard ice surface by the back of Toews' head at the fall's impact?
My point being that even a rule's change would not eliminate all risk.
Jane Rickard said:
Mark,
Changing the game we love is not the answer. A second ref on the ice in AHL and ECHL would help but that gets into the money factor. I have been looking into mouth guards and chin straps for some time as part of the whole TBI and post concussion syndrome issue. The general rule of two fingers between chin and strap has got to change for most players. When that helmet hits the boards, plexi, ice what have you the helmet slides up and offers no protection. I understand the argument of the enforcer that the helmet has to come off or a soft tissue or fracture will happen but how many enforcers are on each team? I have to believe the strap can be redesigned for these tough guys to fit their special needs. Then the rest of the "skill" players can tighten up.
Yes, for the most part these players are adults and have given implied consent for contact that wouldn't be allowed on the street. As a player in any sport risk is assumed, I'm just saying that we can make some changes to reduce risk of TBIs through study and not lose what we love about the game. Feel free to contact me on this issue.
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