NFL: Rules should be included in Safety Investment

On Wednesday, the National Football League made the large investment of $100 million in player safety. As well, Commissioner Roger Goodell released an open letter announcing the league’s new Play Smart, Play Safe initiative. The money invested will be dedicated to medical research, player safety and developing new technology to protect athletes.

While this is all a good thing, the NFL’s investment in the issue of safety must be continuous and innovative. This should include a conscientious effort to accurately enforce the rules in place to protect its athletes from serious head injuries on the field is required.

It is imperative that the NFL officials have a full understanding of the rules in place as well as how/when they should be called during any game. If these rules are enforced consistently and accurately, it should deter dangerous actions by players that could injure opponents, teammates or even others in the vicinity.

This is where continuous education trumps the money invested. Education would help eliminate the many gray areas that cloud the understanding of rules regarding things like “defenseless” receivers and hits to the heads.

Will the money the NFL has invested so far change the game of football? Will it improve the sport?

“I think it will change the game immediately,” Goodell said in an interview with Matt Lauer this week. “We have invested significantly in the past to further research but we have also not waited on research. We have made rule changes, we have made changes in our equipment and we have done things to improve the way the game is played.”

In the manufacturing industry, the best companies are always looking for ways to improve the quality of their merchandise. They do this by improving their processes and their equipment; and by holding employees to high standards. It is of significant importance that they take the time to reflect on the end-product that will be presented to the customer.

To ensure that football is around for future generations, the changes must be visible. Regular education and communication can change how the game is played from Pop Warner leagues all the way up to the NFL.