this post was submitted on 10 Nov 2023
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My tinfoil hat conspiracy is that the NFL itself pushes a lot of this “concussions are bad” narrative because it gives them an actual attainable goal. They can hire independent neurologists, change the kickoff rules, make players go through lengthy concussion protocols, etc. and help with that regard.
What they cannot help with are the smaller hits that happen multiple times every play, and those hits are the real enemy. If people focused on those hits, which are the real driving factors behind CTE, then the NFL would be hopeless. There’s no removing those hits, and thus CTE from the game. But if we all just pretend like big concussions are the problem then the NFL can do something about that.
It’s only a matter of time until the truly dangerous part of the game comes under real fire, and I’m interested to see the NFL’s plan.
One of the biggest things I think they will accomplish is working to design more specific helmets for specific positions. They've already started working on it and in theory can decrease the impact on the brain from all the linemen hits by designing the helmets differently, just as they could work on creating a helmet for QBs that can reduce the risk of concussions from hitting their head on the ground while being tackled backwards.
Even, then, if they really cared they would make the friendly helmet to helmet illegal celebrations, but they probably don't want to put the idea in people's heads that those small hits can also cause damage.