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Former NFL star Merril Hoge on efforts to educate the NFL as well as players in an effort to reduce head injuries in football.
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Football related concussions continue to be a very big issue for the NFL one minute retired players.
Have nothing is suing the league for injuries but -- injuries because -- more financial trouble for the NFL in the future.
Former running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Chicago Bears Merrill Koch joining us now it's great pleasure at seeing things is -- my -- well.
I assume that a lot of -- for the NFL might be over lawsuits right in into which -- some people would say hate.
Football players know what they're getting into it's a tough school -- rights -- being -- Well here's what I I think to regional I think a lot of people are used all the information and knowledge that we have today.
They're trying to back up thirty years -- and said he had a debt but I wasn't the case I mean I think that the league has been NF LP is part of this too.
You have sort of costly gotten better -- evolving in doing proper thing for the player.
And this is not just implementing you know all the right fundamentals right rules players have to be accountable and responsible to and the way you -- -- this.
Got to educate people you gotta give them -- correct consistent message.
So that not run around their hair on fire because -- -- kids who got -- former and that's why that's what this programs really about it when you say educating them do you mean what making assuring the right equipment is -- that required anyway what education are you talking about when we look at this tour this -- we're looking at three things first -- equipment -- you know how do you -- to -- you know shoulder -- what is the proper way to -- that.
-- the correct fundamentals you know how do you play the game.
Because -- I go back to the correct fundamental shock Knowles baby the greatest teacher ever.
To walk sideline them national football he's was taught -- fifty years ago.
Saying -- same shoulder and arising below those of the fundamentals that he would talk about striking an opponent ready tackling head your blocking he made everybody -- -- He never said you know -- your head from the somebody you know lines you know throw your elbow he talked a proper techniques are really trying to reinforce that the fundamentals -- And then bring education orders to head trauma you know if if your son or daughter have head trauma and we're talking football however in any sport riding a bike more.
Head trauma accidents happen riding bike in any other activity so the more work hard we understand if somebody's can trust what do we do what is -- treatment.
What are the symptoms of how -- we care for before they return to that activity our.
NFL players ever gonna get the same kind of injury deals that.
That major bit major league baseball players get because very often if you get an injury in and a failure out well you know -- our.
Our contracts are getting better -- and you're having guarantee -- for the signing bonuses are so significant baseball's guarantee across the board not Indiana -- that's -- upfront money.
And guarantee money is so important for players and to get that.
And have a big proponent that -- so once you become a veteran and you play you know that's -- -- cut -- -- cap I think was vital to everybody because.
Nobody should be making more than somebody who's been playing for five years has played it down okay we've got to rectify that but -- Drew Brees I -- he says he lost earnings.
He -- that money you know they deserve that type of money that's what people Claire's mom signed money.
Merrill -- doing the good work to keep players safe and maybe the lawsuits will go down.
So -- -- let's open that reasonable minds countered cooler minds prevail on that particular case and then you know we we feel being proactive in our sport -- reacted to a narrow planks in the bank -- great -- -- pleasure to have.
