The Perkins Perspective
Steeler's QB Sits, League Divided Over Issue
By Mike Perkins
Last week Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers did the unthinkable, he opted to sit out against the Baltimore Ravens, a division rival they are battling for a playoff spot. Big Ben is regarded by many as one of the best quarterbacks in football despite being just 27 years old. He has led his team to two Super Bowls this decade, placing him in an elite group of quarterbacks, who have won multiple championships.
If the Steelers season ended today they would be heading to the golf course, not to a playoff game. Now every game is a must win, so they must seize every advantage to keep their hopes alive. Losing a star quarterback is always a disadvantage, unless of course your star quarterback is named Drew Bledsoe.
Roethlisberger was unable to play because he suffered a concussion the week before. He then split time with the backup Dennis Dixon, but was held out of the Ravens game because of the concussion related headaches plaguing him that week. Doctors feared the implications of the quarterback absorbing another blow to the head.
Concussions have been a hot topic in the league this year as more and more bystanders have noticed the effects of the NFL's deficient concussion protocol.
Retired NFL players are experiencing dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and other memory problems at a much higher rate than the rest of the population. This comes from receiving concussions. According to a study at the University of North Caroline, players who have sustained three or more concussions had an increased risk of mild cognitive impairment after age.
Now league commissioner Roger Goodell is instituting changes in the return to play policy, making it so players must sit out at least a week if they receive a concussion. Now each team has a specialist on their sidelines to determine whether a player has a concussion also.
Many players are expressing their relief because now the pressure of deciding whether to play is out of their hands. With their livelihoods in danger players have felt rules must be instituted because a player cannot possibly make this decision. Playing through pain and risking your neck for the team is the gospel in the NFL. If you do not do it, then you are selfish and you lack toughness. If labels like this stick during free agency that can mean substantial money loss.
If the Steelers season ended today they would be heading to the golf course, not to a playoff game. Now every game is a must win, so they must seize every advantage to keep their hopes alive. Losing a star quarterback is always a disadvantage, unless of course your star quarterback is named Drew Bledsoe.
Roethlisberger was unable to play because he suffered a concussion the week before. He then split time with the backup Dennis Dixon, but was held out of the Ravens game because of the concussion related headaches plaguing him that week. Doctors feared the implications of the quarterback absorbing another blow to the head.
Concussions have been a hot topic in the league this year as more and more bystanders have noticed the effects of the NFL's deficient concussion protocol.
Retired NFL players are experiencing dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and other memory problems at a much higher rate than the rest of the population. This comes from receiving concussions. According to a study at the University of North Caroline, players who have sustained three or more concussions had an increased risk of mild cognitive impairment after age.
Now league commissioner Roger Goodell is instituting changes in the return to play policy, making it so players must sit out at least a week if they receive a concussion. Now each team has a specialist on their sidelines to determine whether a player has a concussion also.
Many players are expressing their relief because now the pressure of deciding whether to play is out of their hands. With their livelihoods in danger players have felt rules must be instituted because a player cannot possibly make this decision. Playing through pain and risking your neck for the team is the gospel in the NFL. If you do not do it, then you are selfish and you lack toughness. If labels like this stick during free agency that can mean substantial money loss.
This article was published on 12/11/09 in the Sports section.
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