Truth & Rumors > NFL
Will NFL widen field to reduce concussions?
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08:55 AM ET 02.10 | The NFL has looked to a lot of places to make its game safer. It even has looked to Canada. And it may continue to look north. As recently as a year ago, the competition committee kicked around the idea of a bigger field, CFL style. And this wasn't the first time the committee has broached the subject. Perhaps the committee will broach the subject again when it meets in Indianapolis in advance of the combine. The Canadian field is 195 feet wide, compared to the 160 foot wide NFL field. The CFL field also is 30 yards longer, but the widening of the field is what really could impact safety regarding head injuries. "I'm not so sure we shouldn't think about widening the field," former competition committee member Bill Polian said. "It's a radical idea, but I think it's worth thinking about. You would have more space and perhaps a safer game. I say that based on my CFL experience. There are less collisions of that type in the Canadian game." Polian knows the CFL better than most, having built Grey Cup winners in Montreal and Winnipeg before becoming a six time executive of the year winner in the NFL. The thinking is a wider field would spread out bodies over more space, reducing hits in the middle of the field. The down the field game wouldn't change much, but box play could be considerably different.
Canadian Football League, Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images
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Comments (49) Add A Comment
play with no helmets then they would stop leading with their heads.
HAIL TO THE VICTORS!
Total Comments (683)
Funny how the NFL will do anything but force players to wear the safest helmets available.
(Un)
Inferiority Complex Group, FN
Total Comments (16164)
I agree and that alone would do more to reduce concussions than any other gimmick that they might come up with
Rex Racer
Total Comments (22479)
(Un)
Inferiority Complex Group, FN
Total Comments (16164)
I never thought of it from the perspective of reducing concussions but the CFL game is definitely different. With only 3 downs and everybody spread out, it creates much more passing than their NFL equivalents. With everybody protecting against the pass, there's less head smashing going on.
Center Ice
Total Comments (4788)
One could argue it makes matters worse. False sense of security. Besides , it is not the hit so much as the sudden stop that causes the brain to bounce around at higher speeds. Heck, I don't know.
50yearfan
Total Comments (11161)
This is a great idea!
drip drop
Total Comments (4111)
Why did they start wearing helmets to begin with ?
Eagles in 2020
Total Comments (2885)
The NFL doesn't care that much about players safety in the first place, if they did they would come up with a safer helmet. Most NFL stadiums could not be widen because the way they were built. This is just another smoke screen the good ole boys are sending out to the public that they really care, but we all know what they really care about the almighty dollar.
toad
Total Comments (1661)
Why don't they just play Flag Football, they can start by drafting The Kennedy Kids!!!
Not4Nutten
Total Comments (9850)
Be serious Rex you know the history of the game better than that
Mr Steeler
Total Comments (11925)
Because of the number of deaths in the game.
Mr Steeler
Total Comments (11925)
Please don't do this.
Dr. B-f-G
Bubbaville, TX
Total Comments (7798)
Why is it I suspect this plan has a phase two. How many teams will have to build new stadiums to get a wider field.
Eagles in 2020
Total Comments (2885)
Part of the problem is the number of staring lawyers out there.
Eagles in 2020
Total Comments (2885)
Why not convert the league to flag football.
drip drop
Total Comments (4111)
And while they are at it, how about scrapping the playoffs and Super Bowl. Instead everyone gets a participation trophy. The wussification of the NFL continues.
Jim in Houston
Houston , TX
Total Comments (353)
Take the helmets off and the hits will continue. Sure it'll slow down, but it'll continue. These are very young people who think they're somewhat bulletproof. How many of us played full-force tackle football on pavement out on the streets in front of our houses growing up? Did the danger of playing on pavement enter into your mind when you were throwing your body around on it? The hits would continue in a helmetless NFL, just with more horrific results.
And it can't be flag football because it's so dangerous. You can get your finger tangled and broken in a flag. Ouch!
DJ Johnson
Twin Peaks, WA
Total Comments (1152)
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