Defending the NFL

[Dave Gray]

I just want to make a point, because I see so many casuals shitting all over the NFL on Twitter and Facebook.

I think it was ultimately the right call to not finish the game after that Hamlin injury.

However, I don't think it's beyond the pale that the NFL considered resuming the game or that they took about an hour to officially cancel it.  These are enormous corporations with lots riding on it -- other companies, sponsorships, hotels, flights, accommodations, refunds, other games, playoff implications, gambling, fantasy players, salaries, city economies, etc.

There isn't some red lever that one man pulls to stop everything.  Ultimately, the NFL did the correct thing by listening to the coaches and making a decision based on the vibe on the field.

But we've come to understand "the show must go on" with industries like this in the past, so it's an unfair standard, IMO, especially when the NFL ultimately did cancel the game and other big corporations don't.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Yeah, whether the coaches mad ethe call for them or not, I agree it was the right call and can't fault them too much. Whatever happens now with this game can posisbly hurt someone's whole season in terms of losing bye weeks or seeding or whatnot. It's a very tough call.

[Dave Gray]

It's a freak accident, that is largely unrelated to the game of football (if the current generally accepted diagnosis is correct).

This was a perfect storm, clearly the players on the field were shocked and unable to safely continue, so I get it.   The coaches were able to recognize that more than whoever is trying to make the call from the NFL offices.

The coaches made the call and the league respected it and listened to them.  Ultimately, the system worked.

-----

This sounds cold as shit, but all this "right now all that matters is this young man's health" is some bullshit that the media was spinning.  It's not all that matters.  It's billions of dollars of industry that also matter and lots of other things are at stake, too.  And it's not like playing the game further hurt his health, so that never really made sense to me.

It's the right call to cancel the game, I think.  But it was a tough call and it certainly wasn't the only call.  And the NFL aren't villains for working a process and taking an hour to figure that out.

[CF DolFan]

Couldn't agree more Dave. People are overlooking the fact the NFL was set up to handle this particular medical issue perfectly while it hasn't ever happend before. I don't think the effect to players of seeing staff performing CPR on a teammate was their major concern in the planning stage. I've taken several CPR classes and not one brought up how to deal with coworkers who observed a CPR event.

In all honesty it's just the pervasive need to "criticise" others in order to feel better about yourself. The NFL handled as well as they could under the circumstances.

[DenverFinFan]

There’s a lot of fair criticism for the NFL, but I agree with you this isn’t one if them. It looks like as far as trying to help the guy they did the best they could and you’re right it isn’t just an immediate one guy decision, they ultimately made the right decision but a lot of teams who had nothing to do with this might suffer. One game throws a huge wrench into the end of this season.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

while it hasn't ever happend before.

[masterfins]

Ultimately the right call was made.  In fairness there may have been a slight time delay in knowing the severity of his injury, and they probably wanted to speak to the teams involved before officially suspending the game.  However, if the League Offices knew his life was still in jeopardy and they tried to tell the teams to play on anyway then they are pieces of shit.

[Dave Gray]

However, if the League Offices knew his life was still in jeopardy and they tried to tell the teams to play on anyway then they are pieces of shit.

This is where I disagree.

Two things can be true.  You can do everything you can do to make sure the player is as safe as possible and respect his health, while still having financial and social obligations.  It's not like playing the game is disrespectful to the guy who was hurt.  I don't make that connection.  I think the reason you don't play is because the players were all so shell shocked because what happened is an absolute anomaly.

This guy had a medical emergency.  And a lot of people's lives are riding on those games.  In showbiz, "the show must go on" has been a mantra forever.  The product is bigger than any one person, historically.

Again, I do think that stopping the game was the right call, but had they decided to play, I don't think anyone are pieces of shit for it.

[masterfins]

This is where I disagree.

Two things can be true.  You can do everything you can do to make sure the player is as safe as possible and respect his health, while still having financial and social obligations.  It's not like playing the game is disrespectful to the guy who was hurt.  I don't make that connection.  I think the reason you don't play is because the players were all so shell shocked because what happened is an absolute anomaly.

This guy had a medical emergency.  And a lot of people's lives are riding on those games.  In showbiz, "the show must go on" has been a mantra forever.  The product is bigger than any one person, historically.

Again, I do think that stopping the game was the right call, but had they decided to play, I don't think anyone are pieces of shit for it.

He didn't break a leg or get knocked out for a few seconds, HIS HEART STOPPED BEATING AND HE STOPPED BREATHING, as in being dead.  They had to use an AED on him to restart his heart; and it was still questionable whether he would live or die.  So I disagree with your point of view.