News came out yesterday that the NFL was going to suspend Ravens safety Ed Reed for one game because of repeated violations of the contact to the head rule. After seeing the hit made by Reed on Sunday night, I could not disagree more with this suspension. Yes, Reed did make contact with the receiver's head but there is no way to prove that he did this on purpose. His job as a defensive player is to make sure the offensive player goes down to the ground. Ed Reed has always played the game the right way and has never been accused of playing "dirty". Perhaps a fine would have been more fair than suspending Reed for a full game. I understand the NFL is placing a greater emphasis on player safety, specifically head injuries. I appreciate them trying to make an effort to make the game safer but suspending a great player for a seemingly normal hit is ridiculous. This suspension will not change the way Reed plays the game. The game of football is inherently violent, so sometimes a defensive player will inadvertently make contact with the offensive player's head. It is my opinion that Reed did not mean to hit Emmanuel Sanders in the head. Safety's important, but at what cost to the game of football?
Michael Zweig
KIN 577
I totally agree with you Michael. I think that as the NFL is adapting new rules for player safety they are almost going a little overboard. Don't get me wrong, I think there needs to be an emphasis placed on safety, but there are just some things that can't be controlled. I agree with you that after seeing the hit, Reed did make contact on with his head, but there is no way he did it on purpose. It is so hard for those athletes to react in those situations because of how fast the game is being played. I think players that have been known for dirty hits should be punished with a suspension for repeatedly hitting players in the head. However, a player like Ed Reed who has always played the game the right way does not deserve a punishment of that magnitude. I think that the new rules which were meant to be good, have changed the way football is played. Players have to worry about how they hit an opponent because they are always in fear of getting fined or suspended.
ReplyDeleteLogan Potter
KIN 577
The NFl today just overturned the ruling. I think they got a lot of negative feedback. The NFL isn’t explaining what it wants from their players, and how to play the game. I do understand why the NFL is trying to cover them and protect themselves. But I do agree with you Michael that they hit was apart of the Sport. There was no intention of injuring Emmanuel Sanders. Instead Reed will be fined $50,000. The NFL is in a tough spot today, there has been a tremendous amount of negative PR from former players who have said on the record that they do no want to see their own children play football due to the safety issues and long-term health related issues from possibly playing in the NFL. I think no matter if suspended or fined, the NFL has serious issues that needs to be resolved and fixed.
ReplyDeleteJJ
KIN 577