Ward says only way to truly protect players is flag football

[stillers4me]

Pittsburgh Steelers (http://www.nfl.com/teams/pittsburghsteelers/profile?team=PIT) wide receiver Hines Ward (http://www.nfl.com/players/hinesward/profile?id=WAR179227) isn't taking the NFL's new rules on flagrant hits as personally as others, but the Pro Bowler said in an interview with WCNN Atlanta (http://sportsradiointerviews.com/2011/06/01/hines-ward-still-sounds-giddy-about-winning-dancing-with-the-stars/) that the guidelines clash with the physical nature of the sport.

"I understand where they’re coming from, but at the same time you can’t protect football," said Ward, who's taken as well as doled out his fair share of hits in a decorated nine-year career. "It’s a violent sport. If you want to protect it, we need to play flag football.”........

read more @ http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8201f0ad/article/ward-says-only-way-to-truly-protect-players-is-flag-football?module=HP_headlines

[fansince'76]

Hines has been around a bit longer than 9 years. More like 13. Couldn't agree more with what he said.

[Edman]

Football for well over a century has been a brutal sport. I'm pretty sure the players who sign up to play the pro game are aware of the risks. I find nothing wrong with player safety, but you can only protect the players so much with rules.

Imagine in Boxing where you're not allowed to punch your opponents' head and you can only punch the midsection over fear of causing a concussion or Dementia Pugilistica.

[steelerdude15]

You can still get hurt playing flag football.

[Nadroj 20]

He is correct! Just like in Boxing and MMA the participants know the risks invovled when they decide to play. Protect them as much as possible but do not take away from the game.