06-28-2017, 09:44 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-28-2017, 09:44 PM by Darnellthebeast.)
Only 14 weeks into the National Simulation Football League's first season, four players have already retired. This begs the question: why? Players have a high paying profession, playing a game for their career that those in 9-5 jobs would dream of, yet they throw it all away without valid reasoning. Some believe the players simply don't care about the money, and that they have just decided that the money to time ratio simply isn't worth it. However, it's surprising that they wouldn't at least finish out the season in order to reap the full rewards of their contract. Just finishing one season at a minimum rate of 500,000$ annually would set them off nicely for a few years, perhaps allowing an eventual early retirement(or even an immediate retirement through frugal living and intelligent investing). At the same time, one could see how devoting ones entire life to their profession could cause burn out.
Another possible reason for the early retirements from the NSFL could be disagreements about playing time. Everyone in the pros were former star players at their high school and colleges, so the shift from being the hero into a role player or even backup could be very angering and discouraging. However, it's this writers opinion that for one to retire from a profession for the sole reason of lack of playing time proves that they are a weak minded individual who likely would not have lasted long in the league anyway. The benefits a few seasons worth of pay could provide seriously outweigh the mental strain of riding the bench.
Unfortunately, many believe that the most likely reason for these retirements is the recent evidence linking concussions to mental disorders. Players simply don't want to risk their quality of life post football when they can instead live a long, healthy life working an office job. A study by the Canadian Medical Association Journal showed that even one mild concussion makes suicide three times more likely. The effects weren't immediate either; the average length before the suicide occurred was six years. Another threat from concussions is Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is a disease found in the brain commonly found those with a history of brain trauma. The brain degeneration has been linked to dementia, loss of impulse control, suicide, and depression. The rates at which Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy was found in former professional American Football athletes was especially shocking. Out of the 91 former players brains tested, 87 of them had Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. With over 95% of players affected, the chance of being damaged by this disease is far too high for the NSFL to remain on the sidelines. The concussion protocol often doesn't properly protect players who have concussions, allowing them to return too early. For most players, this game is their entire life. Sitting out an extra week even if they aren't fully recovered isn't an option for them, even at the expense of their future health. An extra week on the bench could be the difference between hundreds of thousands of dollars and struggling to put food on the table.
Now we must ask the question: what can the NSFL do to help ease this concussion epidemic. First, concussion protocols need to become stricter. Trainers cannot allow players to return earlier then they should, simply to benefit the team. Those found in violation of the guidelines need to face serious consequences such as: suspension from the NSFL(5 years), Heavy fines for the team, loss of draft pick. The other thing the NSFL needs to do is help educate players on the risks of concussions, starting at the high-school level. Concussions, even during teenage years, will eventually catch up to players. Through a strong effort to educate the youth, the NSFL limit the concussion epidemic currently occurring.
634 words.
Another possible reason for the early retirements from the NSFL could be disagreements about playing time. Everyone in the pros were former star players at their high school and colleges, so the shift from being the hero into a role player or even backup could be very angering and discouraging. However, it's this writers opinion that for one to retire from a profession for the sole reason of lack of playing time proves that they are a weak minded individual who likely would not have lasted long in the league anyway. The benefits a few seasons worth of pay could provide seriously outweigh the mental strain of riding the bench.
Unfortunately, many believe that the most likely reason for these retirements is the recent evidence linking concussions to mental disorders. Players simply don't want to risk their quality of life post football when they can instead live a long, healthy life working an office job. A study by the Canadian Medical Association Journal showed that even one mild concussion makes suicide three times more likely. The effects weren't immediate either; the average length before the suicide occurred was six years. Another threat from concussions is Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is a disease found in the brain commonly found those with a history of brain trauma. The brain degeneration has been linked to dementia, loss of impulse control, suicide, and depression. The rates at which Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy was found in former professional American Football athletes was especially shocking. Out of the 91 former players brains tested, 87 of them had Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. With over 95% of players affected, the chance of being damaged by this disease is far too high for the NSFL to remain on the sidelines. The concussion protocol often doesn't properly protect players who have concussions, allowing them to return too early. For most players, this game is their entire life. Sitting out an extra week even if they aren't fully recovered isn't an option for them, even at the expense of their future health. An extra week on the bench could be the difference between hundreds of thousands of dollars and struggling to put food on the table.
Now we must ask the question: what can the NSFL do to help ease this concussion epidemic. First, concussion protocols need to become stricter. Trainers cannot allow players to return earlier then they should, simply to benefit the team. Those found in violation of the guidelines need to face serious consequences such as: suspension from the NSFL(5 years), Heavy fines for the team, loss of draft pick. The other thing the NSFL needs to do is help educate players on the risks of concussions, starting at the high-school level. Concussions, even during teenage years, will eventually catch up to players. Through a strong effort to educate the youth, the NSFL limit the concussion epidemic currently occurring.
634 words.
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