Raul Jimenez suffers fractured skull

[Physiocrat]

That's a bonkers argument. Should motor cyclists also not wear helmets so they will drive slower and pose less of a danger to themselves? I dont think players are going to start kicking each other on the head to test out how sturdy the helmet is.

The amount of dangerous and reckless play in the NFL increased with the increased amount of protection, at least from what I have read in the past.

I'm not against any protection in principle (I'm not against shin pads) but you have to recognise that as things become "safer" players take more risks. Stirling Moss said this of F1 drivers. They take far more risks today than they would in the 60s because today they would probably just have an uncomfortable crash whereas in the 60s they could have died.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

What's allowed in the NFL tackling that isn't allowed in rugby?

Edit - the point about more recklessness in football with headgear still stands though

The concept of blocks mainly. Blocks aren’t allowed in RU. The tackling rules are different

I agree about headgear in football

 

[DoomSlayer]

Interesting point, however if it were me, I would be ok with earning 250k now and not have dementia later in life rather than earn in excess of 250k now and have or risk having have dementia later.

Also wearing a helmet dodsnt hurt Lewis Hamiltons or Tom Bradys images/monetary gains.

I understand your point, but those sports had already established that. It's going to take years to make such a drastic change, which will also depend on how different leagues react to such a proposal.

 

[big rons sovereign]

True, but also preconceptions around major head injuries have changed quite drastically over a relatively short time period.

If there's any risk, he'll be told to stop/no club would risk it. I'm sure player insurance would also come into it.

Yeah probably. It always boils down to money under the guise of 'safety'

 

[Oldyella]

The amount of dangerous and reckless play in the NFL increased with the increased amount of protection, at least from what I have read in the past.

I'm not against any protection in principle (I'm not against shin pads) but you have to recognise that as things become "safer" players take more risks. Stirling Moss said this of F1 drivers. They take far more risks today than they would in the 60s because today they would probably just have an uncomfortable crash whereas in the 60s they could have died.

Have heard the same re NFL.

It was a sickening clash, and while you can hope Jiminez returns to play again I would be amazed if he did so, just not worth the risk.

And as for Luiz, how he was allowed to play on was ridiculous. He didnt just have a cut head or black eye like Williams did for us last year, he looked proper out of it, wobbly on his feet and all sorts.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

The amount of dangerous and reckless play in the NFL increased with the increased amount of protection, at least from what I have read in the past.

I'm not against any protection in principle (I'm not against shin pads) but you have to recognise that as things become "safer" players take more risks. Stirling Moss said this of F1 drivers. They take far more risks today than they would in the 60s because today they would probably just have an uncomfortable crash whereas in the 60s they could have died.

That’s not a good comparison. F1 has got safer. In the 70s particularly we were losing great drivers year by year. Moss wasn’t saying drivers are more reckless

 

[big rons sovereign]

Comments made by Troy Deeney on Talksport this morning (tweet now deleted) do not help. Essentially, it was a minute long clip of him saying that players should have the freedom to decide, and that people from the outside looking in shouldn’t get in-between the relationship between the player and the medical staff. He started the clip by saying something like “how many things have footballers already had taken from them?” Absolutely barmy stuff.

Deeney is a dickhead and should probably be first in line for a Goonies remake.

 

[The holy trinity 68]

Won’t help when you get smacked in the face. Boxers wear gloves and head protection but still sustain life changing injuries

Boxers only wear head gear in olympics and amateurs. Professionals don’t wear head gear.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

That’s really sad and unfortunately a cultural thing which can’t be simply changed overnight.

He is a bully.

 

[11101]

Won’t help when you get smacked in the face. Boxers wear gloves and head protection but still sustain life changing injuries

They still wear them though, because they do help. Players still get broken legs despite shinpads but its not a reason to abandon them. Head padding would be the same.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Have heard the same re NFL.

It was a sickening clash, and while you can hope Jiminez returns to play again I would be amazed if he did so, just not worth the risk.

And as for Luiz, how he was allowed to play on was ridiculous. He didnt just have a cut head or black eye like Williams did for us last year, he looked proper out of it, wobbly on his feet and all sorts.

Luiz did have a cut head, the blood was seeping through the bandage that was why they took him off and that he felt uncomfortable.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

They still wear them though, because they do help. Players still get broken legs despite shinpads but its not a reason to abandon them. Head padding would be the same.

I like your line of thinking but it will never happen.

It wouldn’t have prevented the Jimenez injury. What would have is players not running in full pelt to head a ball. Luiz had no chance of getting it

 

[Berbaclass]

He is a bully.

I doubt this sort of attitude is exclusive to Troy Deeney.

 

[Physiocrat]

That’s not a good comparison. F1 has got safer. In the 70s particularly we were losing great drivers year by year. Moss wasn’t saying drivers are more reckless

He did at least once. I remember him saying it about Juan Pablo Montoya a number of years ago

 

[The Firestarter]

Very glad I decided to skip this game. I am not going to watch the videos either.

I hope the player makes full recovery.

 

[jderbyshire]

So sad for him if he has to retire.

Really top striker, would've loved him at United.

 

[Oldyella]

Luiz did have a cut head, the blood was seeping through the bandage that was why they took him off and that he felt uncomfortable.

Yes, that's what I said, he didnt 'just' have a cut head. Players often can play on with a cut, he looked like he had been knocked out, should not have been allowed back on the pitch.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Yes, that's what I said, he didnt 'just' have a cut head. Players often can play on with a cut, he looked like he had been knocked out, should not have been allowed back on the pitch.

Agree, was really bad judgement from Arsenal.

 

[balaks]

Awful news but not unexpected - glad to hear surgery was successful and I wish him well in his recovery. You have to fear that is his football career over though.

 

[Gawge]

With the recent studies on the effects of heading on dementia as well, I feel it's a matter of time before we phase heading out of the game.

I don't think heading the ball is important enough to the game to risk lives and health.

 

[Nani Nana]

Why is it always the bad to average players injuring the average to great ones?

 

[11101]

I like your line of thinking but it will never happen.

It wouldn’t have prevented the Jimenez injury. What would have is players not running in full pelt to head a ball. Luiz had no chance of getting it

I disagree. If you look at the image of where their heads clashed, something like the headband Rooney wore would have been right on the point of impact. Nobody can say if it would have prevented the injury but it would certainly lessen the severity of the impact.

Spoiler: Jimenez impact

Spoiler: Rooney's headband

Just by nature of how you head the ball and the angle of the head, most impacts are on that ring. Protecting that area isn't going to negate all risk of injury but it will definitely help. The alternative is the inevitable and eventual banning of headers.

 

[Acole9]

I hope he makes a full recovery and we see him back on the pitch soon.

 

[broccoli]

I'm probably (and hopefully) wrong but aren't these horrific injuries more frequent in the PL than in other leagues?

 

[Inigo Montoya]

I'm probably (and hopefully) wrong but aren't these horrific injuries more frequent in the PL than in other leagues?

Ok how many horrific injuries can you recall

 

[broccoli]

Ok how many horrific injuries can you recall

Not many on the top of my head: Cech, Mason, Gomes, Eduardo..

You're right I guess it's not so much different from other leagues.

 

[FootballHQ]

Not many on the top of my head: Cech, Mason, Gomes, Eduardo..

You're right I guess it's not so much different from other leagues.

Ryan Mason had to retire with his injury.

Raul Jimenez for me one of best all round forwards in the league so real shame he's going to be out for a long while. Hopefully he does get back eventually.

 

[Andycoleno9]

Slaven Bilic is right. Playing with head should be banned. Yes, that would kill "traditional" football and it will change a lot (and i mean A LOT) football as it is but safety should come first.
And who knows, maybe without option to head a ball, the game would become much quicker and attractive

 

[duffer]

Cech has spoken that his helmet thing did impact his peripheral vision but as a goalie, not hugely impactful (as he's almost always looking in one direction). Would be totally different for a forward.

 

[zenith]

It's only a matter of time before we see a death on the football pitch and that would be that as far as heading of the football is concerned.

Perhaps it'll take away a lot from the game but this remains the only sport which encourages such violent clash of heads.

Eventually when some tragedy happens, then heading might be banned for good.

 

[MattofManchester]

Boxers only wear head gear in olympics and amateurs. Professionals don’t wear head gear.

Have you seen some of them speak after retirement? My lord, you need an interpreter to understand wtf some of them are saying.

 

[The holy trinity 68]

Have you seen some of them speak after retirement? My lord, you need an interpreter to understand wtf some of them are saying.

Yeah I know, the comment I replied to just said boxers wear gloves and head gear and still get life changing injuries.

That is why for me Mayweather is close to being the best ever. Rarely got hit and that is why he is in top condition still after retirement.

 

[Irrational.]

What a massive shame. One of the most talented strikers in the league. Wish him a speedy recovery.

Also, the medical staff who allowed David Luiz to stay on the pitch should be sacked. Sheer incompetence.

 

[Schmeichel's Cartwheel]

I really hope he can make a full recovery and play again but it’s going to be very tough, especially given the way he plays the game as a traditional number 9, getting his head in the mixer more than most players. It’s gonna be a battle both physically and mentally getting back.

If this does prove to be the end for him it’s a massive shame as he’s a really good player, but he’s got to put his health first.

 

[simonhch]

I hope he gets a sizeable insurance settlement, and Wolves pay out the remainder of his contract so he is financially secure. I say this because for the sake of his health, his career is almost certainly over. Sickening thing to have happened to any player.

 

[bsCallout]

Have you seen some of them speak after retirement? My lord, you need an interpreter to understand wtf some of them are saying.

Thats repetitive head injuries, primarily from sparring. The headgear doesnt help much, the brain is still shaking. I find the gloves and headgear makes things more dangerous long term.

 

[Poborsky's hair]

Petr Čech managed to get back from this kind of injury, just not sure how serious it is with Raul. Also depends on his mentaility. Think he´s that kind of a player who will come back, however for someone so dominant and brave in the air it will definitely change him..

 

[duffer]

Petr Čech managed to get back from this kind of injury, just not sure how serious it is with Raul. Also depends on his mentaility. Think he´s that kind of a player who will come back, however for someone so dominant and brave in the air it will definitely change him..

Cech never had to go for a header. It will be very different for an outfield player.

 

[Sparky_Hughes]

I imagine the flamboyant players would be heavily against that. Can't imagine those that rely on their appearance to boost their monetary gains will be happy to wear headgear.

The opinion of anyone who would put their appearance and money above their health can be safely disregarded imo

Won’t help when you get smacked in the face. Boxers wear gloves and head protection but still sustain life changing injuries

I was under the impression that the main purpose of boxing gloves was to protect the hands, not soften the blows to the head?

 

[Teja]

Very glad I decided to skip this game. I am not going to watch the videos either.

I hope the player makes full recovery.

Yeah watched / mostly heard it in the game and was a sickening noise. Turned the game off right afterwards because I was in no mood to watch it any longer. Don't want to watch the replays at all.