Pittsburgh Steelers’ president Art Rooney II continues fight for QBs protection from horse-collar tackle-NFL News
In spite of NFL's (National Football League)
owners' committee snubbing his proposal on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, Pittsburgh Steelers’ president, Art Rooney II refused to give up his fight for more protection for quarterbacks
from horse-collar tackles.
Rooney proposed in the meeting that quarterbacks should have as much protection from as players at other positions.
He noted in the proposal that it was too dangerous to tackle a quarterback from behind while running as it results in serious injuries such as concussions.
The owners’ committee has voted against the approval of the proposal on grounds that they do not think it could have an impact on the players’ safety.
Steelers’ president has vowed to continue the fight till the point that the owners realise the foul and approve proposed measures to ban the tackle.
He said:
"I still think there's hope we'll get it passed at some point. I think this one kind of snuck up on them. If we can get the
competition committee - at least some members of the competition committee - to take it seriously, then there's a chance."
Had the proposal been passed by the owner it could have benefited Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, more than anyone
else.
The player was among the league players sacked most of the times. He was sacked 40 times and had to sit out a couple of games
with a high ankle sprain later in the regular season.
It is to note that National Football League (NFL) franchises owners have included the horse-collar tackle issue in the points
of emphasis for the next season.
This can lead to some hopes for Rooney of success in getting passed the proposed measures at some point in the future. So
far, the owners do not agree with him that banning the tackle will have an impact on the players’ safety.
The owners committee, which last week met as it does every year in the offseason, has approved some of other measures but nothing concrete about
the protection of players from injuries such as concussion.
NFL’s Commissioner, Roger Goodell, however reiterated his office commitment towards promotion of safe and secure on-field environment for the players.
He said that the players’ safety has always been his office’s priority.
It is difficult to ascertain if the statement is going to content the current and former league players who have alleged the office of mishandling
their head injuries, consequently resulting in aggravating problems for them and their families.
A large number of former NFL players have entered into legal fight with the office over its concussion policies. In spite of the league’s denial
of a compromise on the safety issues the number of the players in the fight keeps adding up every now and then.
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