Yoni Menasha

Link to Project: https://www.tiki-toki.com/timeline/entry/1607017/The-History-of-Player-Safety-in-the-NFL/

Football is a fast-paced, hard-hitting, and action-packed game. Over the years, the game has been through many phases and changes, and it has improved for the better. It has gone from a run-heavy offense to a pass-heavy offense. Initially, football was a college rather than a professional sport, and Yale and Harvard were the teams to beat. As time went on and football became more popular, the American Football League and the National Football League were born. In 1966 the two leagues merged, and the first Super Bowl was played. Though the game has changed -- and the Chiefs and the Bucs are now the teams to beat -- throughout the history of football, injuries have been

In its early stages, players did not wear any protective gear. With increased injuries, including death, President Theodore Roosevelt threatened to ban football. In response, the teams met and new rules and equipment were created. Helmets and other protective gear were introduced. Specialists have been constantly looking at different materials and methods that will further protect a player from injury. The changes in equipment will be an everlasting process that will hopefully continue to improve and protect the game.

Football players were taught and encouraged to hit hard and without mercy. Players were taught at an early age to play no matter the cost, which became the culture of football. Every year numerous players get injured. Some injuries were worse than others, and some injuries ruined a team's hope for the Super Bowl. However, certain players didn't care about their injuries and played through them. They kept their injuries quiet and acted as if nothing was wrong. Finally, The desire to win has made teams send injured players back into the game.

Not only has the game evolved, but the rules have changed to adapt to the newly styled game. More restrictions have been put in place to help player safety too. These rules try to make football a safer and less animalistic sport. Yet, there are certain occasions where rules have been dismissed or improved on too. While there are occasional missed or wrong calls, the rules have bettered the game.

Due to the downplay of injuries and the mindset of football, more and more cases of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) are popping up. CTE is a brain condition that is caused by many blows to the head. It can cause dementia. It can affect a person’s functions, memory, and emotions. People do not know they have CTE until it is too late. Playing football is the highest cause for CTE and can lead a person to their demise. The NFL needs to make player safety the top priority. These changes in the rules and equipment have improved Player safety, but it is not enough. There is still a long way to go until players are able to play this amazing sport risk free.