Naturally, some players around the league had something to say about the NFL’s new enforcement rule on helmet hits. The NFL will now penalize players not only with fines, but suspensions as well.
"“I think that’s absolutely ridiculous because under any circumstances you can’t just absolutely have control over your body when you’re pursuing a tackle.” – Antrel Rolle, New York Giants"
Ok Antrel. I’m going to assume that statement was made because you yourself do not know how to control yourself on the field. You are a professional. Tedy Bruschi, former New England Patriots linebacker, said on Sports620 KTAR, in an interview today, that you absolutely can control the way you hit a player.
"“I think it would be totally unfair for the league to begin to use disciplinary actions and to take away the way that somebody provides for their family because they play the game too hard” – Kevin Burnett, San Diego Chargers"
So Kevin, your idea of providing for your family is to go hurt someone else? I don’t think that’s your intent, but your words back that idea up. If you can’t play the game without hurting someone with a helmet hit, maybe you should find a different line of work. What do you have to worry about anyway. Last time I checked, you weren’t on the list of offenders. You have seemed to get by just fine so far. I get what you are saying about your job, but please don’t justify the hits by saying you will not be able to provide for your family if you don’t play hard. That’s a sad excuse.
"“It’s freaking football. There are going to be big hits…I don’t understand how they can do this after one weekend of hitting. And I can’t understand how they can suspend us for it. I think it’s a bunch of bull” – Brian Urlacher, Chicago BearsOh Brian. Its just not one week of hits. It just so happens the amount of them in one week was alarming. It was time the NFL did something. It was long overdue. I do blame the NFL for taking so long to get this one right, but better late than never. You can still hit big – legally. I’m fairly certain of it.Clearly the reaction is not unexpected. It is however a little surprising from those it came from. Players known for hard hits, but those who play within the rules to begin with, so I don’t understand their issues. Stop making excuses and play the game how the rulebook is written. Don’t be mad at the NFL for now wanting to enforce the rules. The rules have always been there. If you want to be mad at the NFL, be mad that they didn’t start enforcing these rules a long time ago. “It’s freaking football. There are going to be big hits…I don’t understand how they can do this after one weekend of hitting. And I can’t understand how they can suspend us for it. I think it’s a bunch of bull” – Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears"