2012 NFL / College Football Seasons

[CJHobbes]

Did you football freaks see this? Matt Schaub of the Houston Texans gets part of his ear torn off after a hit.

Aaaaaaand I'm guessing he just went straight back into the game

Yup! He got clocked pretty good. And yeah, he went back in after missing one play...I mean, he only lost part of his ear. You can play with half an ear.

[darkwinterbeast8]

Schaub is old school like that, much like Ronnie Lott who removed a broken finger to go back in the game instead of being out 15 weeks.

As for the severed ear, chances are it'll be auctioned on eBay with Mike Tyson winning it. After all, a psycho's gotta eat.

[SheSaidSheSaid]

So it's okay with you guys that he took a hit vicious enough to knock his helmet off and take part of his ear with it, and just went back in like nothing happened? He could have been concussed right then and there.

This is why I don't get football.

[CJHobbes]

Schaub is old school like that, much like Ronnie Lott who removed a broken finger to go back in the game instead of being out 15 weeks.

I remember that, talk about crazy. This also reminds me of when Duncan Keith of the Blackhawks lost 7 teeth during that one playoff game and kept playing. And reading this article about it, looks like Stan Mikita had his earlobe reattached during a game one time.

I'm sure you could find tons of stories about this stuff. Pro athletes are hardcore.

So it's okay with you guys that he took a hit vicious enough to knock his helmet off and take part of his ear with it, and just went back in like nothing happened? He could have been concussed right then and there.

This is why I don't get football.

The answer you're looking for is....no?

I don't suppose I get your point. Should I feel sorry for the guy who voluntarily plays a game (and gets very well compensated for it) where he knows at any point in time he can get his head knocked off? Guys take vicious hits all the time, it's the nature of the sport. In fact, playing the QB position for most of his life, he's conditioned to taking hits like that; definitely more so than any of us.

As I said above, Duncan Keith had 7 teeth knocked out by a puck, went and had a little dental work done during the 2nd intermission, and came back to play the 3rd period. Guys take shots in various sports and come back to play, so I don't see what's so special about this situation. It's Schaub's life, he can do as he wants with it; and if he says he's ok to play and doctors check him out and clear him of a concussion (see below), then let him play.

As far as being concussed, since it's a huge deal in the media nowadays, the NFL and its teams have strict policies and procedures in place to detect and pull players from the game if there is any sign of a concussion. Whether teams follow this is up for debate, especially since the replacement refs aren't trained to tell when a player is concussed or not, but there are rules in place to prevent such a thing from happening.

So I guess, yep, I'm ok with it. I suppose if you don't get football, then you don't get hockey or rugby, which are essentially games of the same vein. If you really boil it down, a lot of major sports carry risk for injury, and the athletes who attain a professional level are hardwired to play through whatever injuries they sustain until their bodies just can't handle it anymore.

I think a better question would be: Is it the coach's or owner's responsibility to look out for the well being of a player? Who makes the judgement call: the doctor, player, coach, or ref? Is it a combination of all four? To what end do you protect them?

If you think this situation is weird, the 70s era of football must completely flabbergast you. XD

[HeyRiles]

If he was concussed they would have confirmed it on the sidelines when he came off the field with a head injury as they do with all players nowadays

[BachiG]

NFLOL... is a mess right now.

Strangest ending to game I can remember ever seeing, and having replacement refs (while maybe it didn't matter to how the game ended pending your perspective) certainly didn't help.

[darkwinterbeast8]

The difference is that the scab refs' horrible calls help the Seahawks where as the regular refs usually screw the Seahawks over.

Horrid officiating aside, how about the way that Seattle Seahawks defense shut down the Packers high octane offense. 8 sacks on Aaron Rodgers in one half is insane.

[CJHobbes]

I just find it amusing that all I hear is complaints about the officiating and yet ratings are sky high. Part of me is hoping the refs stay locked out just so I can see if people will stop watching. I always felt that the NFL had a strong enough fan base to draw in viewers through anything; maybe that will be put to the test by weeks 14 and 15.

One thing's for certain: the NFL refs' leverage is at its highest point right now. Two horribly called games in a row on prime time television ending on controversial calls, yikes.

[Mega-Tallica]

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

They'll be putting asterisks next to this season, you watch.

[SheSaidSheSaid]

If he was concussed they would have confirmed it on the sidelines when he came off the field with a head injury as they do with all players nowadays

Not sure what the NFL doctors have done to inspire your faith in them, but ok.