Sunday, August 21, 2005
Is the NFL too dangerous a sport?
San Franciso 49er's Thomas Herrion collapsed and died shortly after Saturday night's game against the Denver broncos. The first year offensive lineman was only 23, bringing many to wonder how safe Football is as a sport. According to the team, Herrion showed no signs of any problems even after the game, walking off the field on his own accord. Even more puzzling is that it wasn't particularly hot that night with temperature registering in the 60's with 50 percent humidity. Although the team says Herrion never struggled in practices under 97
degree weather conditions, doctors say a person can suffer from heatstroke under cooler temperatures.
Herrion's death comes just three months after AFL player Al Lucas died from a spinal cord injury after making a tackle and four years since Vikings offensive lineman Korey Stringer died of a heatstroke during practice.
Herrion had no history of injuries or illnesses while playing in college. An autopsy conducted by the Denver coroner's office was inconlusive and doctors say more tests would have to be done to determine the cause of death. However, the constant career threatening injuries and deaths in the sport makes one wonder how safe the sport is and if teams are doing their best in ensuring the safety of players. Even the life span amongst some retired players have been relatively short, recollecting the death of NFL great Reggie White earlier this year just to name one.
Obviously regardless of what the results say the NFL knows that it has a serious issue to address and I hope that the league will start paying more attention to the health of its players who sacrifice their bodies on a daily basis for the financial gain of the league and team owners and for the entertainment of all.
For more information on Herrions's death, visit the link below.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2139454
degree weather conditions, doctors say a person can suffer from heatstroke under cooler temperatures.
Herrion's death comes just three months after AFL player Al Lucas died from a spinal cord injury after making a tackle and four years since Vikings offensive lineman Korey Stringer died of a heatstroke during practice.
Herrion had no history of injuries or illnesses while playing in college. An autopsy conducted by the Denver coroner's office was inconlusive and doctors say more tests would have to be done to determine the cause of death. However, the constant career threatening injuries and deaths in the sport makes one wonder how safe the sport is and if teams are doing their best in ensuring the safety of players. Even the life span amongst some retired players have been relatively short, recollecting the death of NFL great Reggie White earlier this year just to name one.
Obviously regardless of what the results say the NFL knows that it has a serious issue to address and I hope that the league will start paying more attention to the health of its players who sacrifice their bodies on a daily basis for the financial gain of the league and team owners and for the entertainment of all.
For more information on Herrions's death, visit the link below.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2139454
