JoePa didn't wear a facemask. He doesn't think today's players should, either.

[Hookem Horns]

"I've been saying for years, we should get rid of the facemask. ... It's a weapon, guys are fearless."

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...n=ncaaf-278329

[Kulluminatii]

Interesting...remove the facemask, and you'll most likely end up with players being more careful when tackling. However, athletes of today are beasts compared to athletes from the early years of football...injuries might become much worse without helmets. Not worth the risk I think. I do believe however that the NFL should seriously invest in finding ways to make the gear athletes wear now much more effective, even if it means changing the gear football players use dramatically.

*EDIT* These are two helmets I remember reading about a while ago.


Link to article


Link to article

Both are reported to be better at providing protection from concussions and other risks to the head...but I guess we won't know for sure until the NFL/CFB/UFL uses them.

[Speedy]

Didn't they used to play without helmets too? There you go, that takes care of any helmet to helmet.

[Rey]

just go rugby with it and remove all padding and protection

[Carr Bombed]

JoePa probably also didn't wear a condom back in the day too, should we all go that route?


I'm getting tired of all these old timers (like Ditka) talking about how they need to get rid of the facemask. The game was completely different back then and while it would make violent hits less frequent, it would also create new horrific injuries.

[Showtime100]

Originally Posted by Carr Bombed

JoePa probably also didn't wear a condom back in the day too, should we all go that route?


I'm getting tired of all these old timers (like Ditka) talking about how they need to get rid of the facemask. The game was completely different back then and while it would make violent hits less frequent, it would also create new horrific injuries.

Problem is, he's right. Hockey has known this for a while about extra padding but so far has done nothing about it.

[Rey]

Originally Posted by Showtime100

Problem is, he's right. Hockey has known this for a while about extra padding but so far has done nothing about it.

I think part of the problem with trying to remove the padding in football is the disparity in the sizes of the players...

Yeah, it'll probably keep Dunta Robinson from running into Desean Jackson as hard as he did, but what about Demarcus Ware??

I think he'd still light him up...I think even a guy like L. Landry would still crush DB's...Of course not head to head, but a shoulder or fore arm to the chest at that rate of speed could be just as devastating...

[awtysst]

I am sure someone has already thought why this is a bad idea

But, how about a rubber helmet. The rubber would be strong enough to insulate the head and would be soft enough that it wouldn't really be able to be used as a weapon?

[sakebomb]

Originally Posted by awtysst

I am sure someone has already thought why this is a bad idea

But, how about a rubber helmet. The rubber would be strong enough to insulate the head and would be soft enough that it wouldn't really be able to be used as a weapon?

Are we still talking about Joe Paterno's sex life?

[Number19]

Ya, no face mask and let's go to single platoon football - 60 minute players.