LB James Harrison can learn lesson in Pittsburgh Steelers concussion plan – NFL News
Pittsburgh Steelers’ coach Mike Tomlin will shortly unveil a concussion awareness programme that the team is launching in collaboration with University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre (UPMC) Sports Medicine Concussion Programme to promote players’ safety on
the field.
It is one of rare steps from a National Football League (NFL) franchise amid recent heated debate about promotion of players’ safety, which is also a matter of grave concern for the league office given it has been drawn into a legal battle by its former
players who in their respective court filings have accused the office of negligence and compromise of their safety.
The programme, which is aimed at increasing public and players’ awareness about the importance and necessity of playing safe, will focus spread of information through all types of material and messages in a marketing style campaign.
May be the Steelers are the right team to start this programme with given their linebacker James Harrison has been a subject of suspension by the league under enhanced players’ security measures. James has probably knocked down more players than any other
player in the league.
Cleveland Browns’ quarterback Colt McCoy is the latest victim of his head hits, who suffered concussion in a game against the Steelers in the closing period of the last season. It is not clear if James is done with his attitude of going rough against QBs,
and if not, he should be made an integral part of the campaign.
He can be taken on board to deliver speeches and lecture people on the need of players’ protection against concussion and other injuries, and negative outfall of these injuries in the post-career life of the victim players and their families. He might then
come to a sense of realisation that he should do what he preaches.
James has consistently been fined over hits, which most of the time resulted in concussions, for the last couple of years and a number of league players do not see him settling down yet. Some commentators have also criticised the league office last season
for going too lenient against him – giving him only a game ban – while he still remains prone to committing the same violation on a frequent basis.
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