I’m not sure what you mean by this. Are you saying that on average, Harvard Football fans and Alabama Football fans have identical socio-economic status, IQs, etc?
CTE Update... 4 players willing to take CTE test. Testing living players possible soon
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I’m not sure what you mean by this. Are you saying that on average, Harvard Football fans and Alabama Football fans have identical socio-economic status, IQs, etc?
Well, Harvard and Alabama will contrast, yes. But, Alabama and Auburn? No. UNC and NCSU? No. Florida and Florida State? No. You follow me?
Yale and Harvard? No! Of course, the alumni of those schools believe the opposite! "Must be a Yale man... the degenerate!"
Yeah... line up the 1967 Eagles against the 2017 Eagles. It's the difference between shooting a bullet from a gun and using a slingshot.
They may have allowed you to ring someone's neck to tackle them back then, but the speed, strength, agility, and overall force of collision is incredibly stronger now. Even in the 70's, these guys were getting it. Mike Webster (the first brain examined) was a member of the famous 1970's Pittsburgh teams. Not all players will wind up like Webster, but the more that DO wind up like him will generate more hesitation to even risk it at all.
The film Concussion was amazing. The reality of how they do anything and everything to keep those guys on the field and keep that machine running is wild.
The way games are called these days due to new rules and more severe punishments, I say yes, a lot of the legal violence has been eliminated.
I believe your statement "very few players from 30 years ago could play today" is wildly exaggerated. Regarding linemen, perhaps, but rosters from three decades ago are filled with players who would make it in today's league.
Calling the game tighter doesn’t mean it’s safer.
Filled with guys who could play today?? Lol. No.
You don't know what you're talking about. According to a report from two years ago, concussions in the NFL were down 35% over the previous three years. As far as I'm concerned, if these new rules were not in effect we would see many, many more head-to-head hits, horse collars, and personal fouls in general. Rule changes and stiffer fines have reduced the number of penalties and injuries whether you're willing to believe it or not.
This is hardly a complete list, only what I have time to put together at the moment, but do you see a single player who could not make an NFL roster today?
Randall Cunningham
Joe Montana
Neil Lomax
Andre Tippet
Ronnie Lott
Charles White
Eric Dickerson
Jerry Rice
Anthony Carter
Bo Jackson
Donnie Shell
John Elway
Herschel Walker
Darrell Green
Seth Joyner
Richard Dent
Anthony Munoz
Gerald Riggs
Marcus Allen
Joe Morris
Steve Largent
Roger Craig
Willie Gault
Frank Garcia
Lyle Alzado
Jack Del Rio
John Riggins
Mark Clayton
James Lofton
Mark Gastineau
Joe Klecko
Bernie Kosar
Curt Warner
Gary Clark
Dwight Clark
Al Toon
Kellen Winslow
Joe Jacoby
Jim Lachey
Randy Cross
Jackie Slater
Reggie White
Bruce Smith
Chris Doleman
Dexter Manley
Mike Singletary
Wilber Marshall
Lawrence Taylor
Pat Swilling
Keith Bostic
Joe Bostic
Kenny Easley
Dave Duerson
Deron Cherry
Steve Tasker
Roger Craig
Jim McMahon
Walter Peyton
Freeman McNeil
Mike Quick
Art Monk
Ozzie Newsome
Russ Grimm
Joe Fields
Howie Long
Ed Jones
Bob Golic
Mike Merriweather
Matt Millen
Karl Mecklenburg
Harry Carson
Keena Turner
Everson Walls
Gary Fencik
James Brooks
Mark Bavaro
Todd Christensen
Dwight Stephenson
Jay Hilgenberg
Max Montoya
Dan Hampton
Steve McMichael
Bill Maas
Rulon Jones
Warren Moon
George Rogers
Mark Duper
Randy Clark
Ed Newman
Jack Youngblood
Lee Roy Selmon
Scott Studwell
Clay Matthews
Tom Jackson
Lester Hayes
Vann McElroy
Bill Bates
A lot of dudes from the 80's could still be stars today... Montana, Rice, Payton, Singletary, LT, etc.
Now, if you go back 40 - 50 years ago, then it's a different story. A few guys, sure, but a lot less of them.
