RE: Rugby Players Mass Action Law Suit Lose Their Appeal
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We know the probability is very high this was caused by playing rugby but these hidden injuries are hard to prove
I don't mean to be insensitive when it comes to this issue but I feel like when players engage in a contact sport that it is kind of assumed that there is going to be some sort of long-term dangers present and if we were to attempt to rectify this and turn any sport into a completely safe thing, the sport would be forced to lose all of its appeal. I am reminded of an episode of Southpark where they come up with a sport called "Sarcastiball" where everyone just wears bras and hugs one another on the field so that nobody can get injured.
I don't want to be like "screw those guys, just play the sport" but I think that if you want glory and perhaps a lot of money based on some sort of sport, that you are assuming the risk. Otherwise what is next? Boxers complaining about getting injured because they got punched in the face a bunch and didn't realize that might not be 100% good for you?
I totally agree even though the real danger when I was playing was a broken neck and the thought of a brain injury was not really high on the list. For myself it was just common sense and self preservation that you did not stick your head somewhere it could get bashed. I have been concussed a few times and no doubt I have some wear and tear upstairs after playing the sport for a good 15 years with the last 5 years at a very high level that would be considered professional standards today. I am sure many of those who I played with have some brain issues due to how they played. The term animal springs to mind and I was never that dumb to put everything on the line. They believed the harder you played and the more committed you were in contact the least likely you would be injured which is nuts to think that would end well.
Contact sports are never going to be safe even if there is no head contact as a hard tackle on your chest could result in whip lash that could do the same damage as if you bashed your head against a knee or someone's head. I see too many players now that I do fear for as they are not looking after themselves and are prime candidates for brain damage. Blame the system or sport as much as you want, but at the end of the day it is down to the individual to have common sense and survival skills.