Semi-Pro Football Player Dies After Blind Hit During Charity Game
- Posted on May 13, 2012 at 11:11pm by
Erica Ritz
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(Photo: Toledo Blade)
Following Junior Seau’s tragic death earlier this month, which reports have speculated may have been linked to his many concussions from football, debates have intensified over the short and long-term dangers of the game.
In the most recent tragedy, semi-professional football player David Coleman has died after a blind hit during, of all things, a charity game to raise money for Lou Gehrig’s disease.
ABC 13 reported on the story:
According to the Toledo Blade, 32-year-old Coleman played for the Jay County (Ind.) Panthers, and was injured in an afternoon contest against the Northwest Ohio Knights at Springfield High School, before being pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
“No one expected this,” said Anthony Mathis, the quarterback of the opposing team, the Northwest Ohio Knights.
“This is just a fluke, and this is like a one-in-a-million chance, and unfortunately that chance happened today.”
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Comments (69)
infortheride
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 1:00pmNobody else has said it so…… It‘s all George Bush’s fault.
Report Post »sillyfreshness
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 2:10pmGlenn Beck brought up the fact how rugby players don’t suffer the types of injuries that football payers do. A couple of reasons for this. Obviously the rugby players are more careful in how they hit to make sure they don’t get hurt. Second, the “ghettoization” of rugby hasn’t happened like American football. Playing dirty, hitting people from behind when they aren’t expecting it, spearing people, throwing punches when the ref isn’t looking, using your helmet as a weapon, etc. The “urbanization” of rugby hasn’t taken place. The more protection you throw on a player like helmets, knee pads, thigh shields, massive shoulder pads, the more secure these players feel-maybe a false sense of security. I think the NFL is slowing getting a concussion itself. People are realizing the harm these players suffer. Look at Earl Campbell who is now stuck in a wheelchair. I think public outcry will eventually lead to the NFL dramatically changing itself or could bleed away fans until it’s not popular anymore. Pro football really didn’t become popular in the US until the 1960s. Back when the NFL was formed in the 1920s, football wasn’t even a popular sport in the US. I think the NFL is starting to unravel, especially with the false sense of protection these helmets give.
Report Post »GoodStuff
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 12:26pmGet rid of helmets and you solve the problem. I’m not kidding. All players feel a overwhelming sense of security being inside those helmets, so they feel it’s okay to hit with their helments and use it as a weapon.
Rugby players don’t use helmets and Rugby does not have a concussion epidemic like football does. They know to protect their heads at all costs and simply tackle with the body.
The more “advanced” football helments become, the more players will continue to tackle head first.
Report Post »aggiebrewer
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 1:49pmI believe if you get rid of facemasks it would stop. But you would still have protection.
Report Post »Look back at film when there were no face masks. they didnt use head as weapon.
aggiebrewer
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 1:51pmoh, and rugby is not any where near as violent as football. You can say it is, but it isnt, end of story.
Report Post »Brainmuffin
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 12:11pmParamedics standing around doing nothing, typical.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 12:25pmVery sad…….
Report Post »aggiebrewer
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 1:53pmthe cpr machine was on and working. the video is truncated so how can you judge what they had done previous to clip or after? nice way to attack someone you obviously have an issue with though.
Report Post »frustrated EMT wanna be?
NOT A CRAZY
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 2:20pmHey Aggie,
Sounds like you are probably an EMT. Are you the type that waddles out of your rig up to the scene, as slow as you possibly can, just to show how much of an arrogant EMT you are? Or are you the kind of EMT that showed up at my Grandpa’s house and stood in his living room arguing over which EMT company got to transport him, while he died in his bedroom?
Report Post »maverick2270
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 11:54amPlayed football from 8 to 23 years old. Last time I checked no one made me play. I was made aware every season from high school on of the risks. This is stupid. Especially the NFL. These are grown adults who no the risk they are taking. This is all crap being driven by bleeding heart journalist, unions and lawyers. As usual, screwing up a good thing. If were going to ban football, then we need to ban driving, boxing, he!! soccer causes concussions. If you don’t want your kid to play, then don’t let him. The chances of your kid dying or getting paralyzed playing football is about the sames or less than getting struck by lightning. Common Man!! If the media over publized every person who died in a car wreck, what would we do then? Bad things happen it’s life. He!! lets all live in a bubble. I don’t know how I survied my child hood, I never wore a seat belt and I rode a bike to school without a helmet!! OMG. Toughen up America
Report Post »aggiebrewer
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 1:54pmDITTO my friend
Report Post »juicebomb
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 2:48pmYou are correct. I played from 14to23. Every concussion i got i knew the risks beforehand. America needs to grow a pair. Or dont play.
Report Post »Nepenthe
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 3:15pmOr maybe performing hits designed for the sole purpose of causing injury need to be banned.
Report Post »Tom K
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 4:12pm@ MAVERICK2270 : It is the continued “ Wussification ” of America by liberals-socialists-feminists naggs-knuckleheads-athlete wanna be sportscasters, etc. Man UP !
Report Post »noproblems
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 11:48amFootball needs to change, and if you do not have kids who play then you have no standing to comments on this; you are just a spectator wanting to watch gladiator games.
Report Post »It used to be you tackled someone. Now it is hitting someone. ESPN glorifies big hits by putting then on their top 10 list every week. Kids see this and imitate this behavior.
aggiebrewer
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 1:55pmso if I dont have a child playing I am not allowed an opinion? oh the hubris on this guy
Report Post »Mrs. Bowers
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 11:43amJust awful. No one knew this was coming. God be with all.
Report Post »perry1980
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 10:37amDon’t be surprised if the NFL is banned some day.
Report Post »cantfixstupid
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 10:51amYes. Soon to become NFFL. National Flag Football League.
Report Post »tajloc
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 8:49amEveryone here would agree to ban cars. I’ve never gotten blindsided in my truck but I bet that would hurt. Duh!. I can’t believe the misinfo in this stream. Helmets have been plastic for years. A soft helmet was tried. It captures the other helmet for the split second necessary to fx the C spine. A “blind side” just means you are looking upfield at the runner (usually) and from an unpredictable angel you get hit. Most bad injuries come from DB’s and receivers being hit after the catch. DB’s get it the most. They are trying to separate the receiver from the ball.
Report Post »I played 20 yrs. Ten in USA and Ten Rugby…then 20 in athletic training. Our footy is much more violent especially to the spine.
Rule changes have helped. I was taught to put my face mask between the numbers of a jersey when tackling or blocking. Not anymore. We were allowed double team blocking and cross body blocks (hard on knees). In high school we pulled a kids helmet all the time. Sure coaches still talk about “Ha Ha he just got his bell rung.” But nobody pushes a kid more than the parents. PLEASE parents make sure the helmut fits…especially in the younger ages. (Those weapons cost ~$300).
Rugby doesn’t need all this but there are still lots of injuries.
The battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton. You will not take away a young boys desire to run through a wall with and for dad.
Rom 8:28
Joisey
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 8:26amThere were far less head injuries and concussion trauma when they wore leather helmets. Time to go back to that; clearly the modern football helmet has become more of a weapon on the field than a piece of safety gear.
Report Post »thejackal
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 10:26amBhahaha, as a former college player I can say that you are a tool. It has noting to do with the helmet material son. It has to do with the athelete today. They bigger faster and stronger, the force or PSI generated in some of the high speed grid-iron collisions are in the range of some low speed car crashes. The helmets used today, generally Ridels or Bike are state of the art. Some with air and water cushions and high-tec shock absorbent padding, a proper fitting is emparative.
Report Post »avgconservative
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 11:03amJackal, you are wrong “son.” The athlete of today may have a greater physical advantage, but the rules today are far more stringent than they were years ago… Just ask Joe Theisman… ask Dick Butkus… ask around… you are the one who is wrong.
Report Post »GoodStuff
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 12:34pm@The Jackal
You’re wrong. Rugby players in Australia are just as big and strong as NFL players, they don’t wear helments and there is no concussion epidemic in Rugby. Why? Because, they know they must protect their head, so they focus on body tackling (a lost art in American football). NFL players know they have some “state of the art” helmet so they hit with their heads on almost every play. Result = concussion epidemic.
Would you drive faster and more carelessly if you were driving a top of line, highest safety-rated modern car VS a 1920′s Model T with no airbags and no safety features whatsoever? Of course you would.
Report Post »enduro
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 8:23amBelieve it or not, I played semi-pro football and got layed out by a cheap shot on a punt. I love football and hitting but there is no place for these cheap shots. I actually got my tailbone broken and had a black and blue butt for a couple of weeks. These guys are playing for the love of the game and some ******* plays to damage and hurt. I say prosecute if it was a cheap shot.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 7:52am.
Report Post »Time to Ban football. Or stop letting Nancy play….
denispaul
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 8:06amIf they ban f-ball they’ll play the race card again.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 8:31amHey! Where have you been? I thought you got booted. Everything OK?
Report Post »000degrees
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 8:57amNo kidding….Where does a monkey go on vacation? Welcome back, I’ve had a “sarcasm low light ” blinking on my HUD…….
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 9:21am.
Gonzo,
Had to go back to work after getting robbed for $300k. I HATE TEXAS IT SUCKS…….
Hope the travel slows down a little lol….
Report Post »aggiebrewer
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 1:57pmTX is awesome. go back to crooked-ville LOUSY-ANA.
Report Post »So……Do you have a “help me FEMA” sign already printed up or do you wait until the emergency to make yours?
Johann
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 7:24amTime for democrats in the Obama Biden regime to reveal their government plan to restrict football and other sports where people can be hurt. Michelle Obama can demand all public schools ban any type of sport that involves physcial contact and replace it with ballet classes. The New American State can be the first to establish sports as hazardus to your health. Bullying could also be declared a felony and young people caught calling each other an offensive name could be imprisoned for twenty years. Welcome to the soft world of state fascism called Obamism.
Report Post »disenlightened
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 8:16amYou’re right, it’s time for the safety squad at the DNC to spring into action and save us from ourselves once again. The goal: show Americans just how much they care by eliminating all risk. The problem: the riskiest and most potentially destructive behavior Americans can engage in is electing Democrats.
Report Post »Kerstile
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 1:39amIn order to have less injuries in football, the body armor has to be removed or severely reduced. Just wear goggles and mouthpieces to protect eyes and teeth. The helmet, in particular, has become a weapon while simultaneously giving the player a false sense of safety.
Alas, removing the body armor would “kill” the revenue stream, yes? These men are our modern gladiators.
A People, in order to be free, must be allowed to LIVE before they die. I believe that this man did just that. He made his choice and died living what he loved. I don’t watch violent sports anymore, but I respect and will jealously defend this man’s right to do as he pleases, and also jealously defend a fan’s right to observe him doing it even though I think it barbaric. Liberty comes with a price I am willing to pay. Liberty is the freedom to choose.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 6:17amI totally agree. I read somewhere that there were less injuries when they had just plain leather helmets. They think they’re indestructable with all that gear on.
Report Post »truth or consequences
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 6:44amModern equipment gives you a false sense of security and if the number of injuries is up, it could be because there were only a handful of teams and players in the early years.
Report Post »If you want to do a comparison, you have to look at the percentage figures.
Kickoff returns are the most dangerous part of the game.
soybomb315
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 6:58amif they are going to wear helmets, they should be soft-shelled and not hard-shelled. The type of helmets worn on american gladiators would be perfect
Report Post »mercenary4freedom
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 1:28amLiberals are trying to set up to ban everything, I say lets stop them>>>>.FREEDOM!!!
Report Post »AmeriCat
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 12:47am“Blind Hit?” …..dies after a “blind hit”….
What is a “blind hit”?
Report Post »jadomac
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 1:12amA blind side hit. He didn’t see it coming. Terrible story.
Report Post »aggiebrewer
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 2:01pmnaaa…its a blind guy that walked up and hit him in the head with his striped cane…
Report Post »rickc34
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 12:29amCondolences to the family I am sorry for your loss. Things happen and we cannot explain why. The main thing is live your life like you could be called home at any moment. In James it tells us life is like a vapor . It is only for a sort while . And football is a contact sport . Police and occupy wallstreet are violent.
Report Post »Nepenthe
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 3:18pmThe guy was violently struck in an manner to cause the greatest amount of injury. Seems like we can explain this one.
Report Post »The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 12:26amIn an unrelated story, several players were released from their teams in favor of their wives…which are bigger than Bull Elephants!
Did you see those ladies? Damn…put them in a harness and toss them back in front of the ice wagon.
Holy mother of God!
Report Post »Square Dancer
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 8:30am“put them in a harness and toss them back in front of the ice wagon.”
ROFLMAO !!!!!
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 12:22amRisk… balanced by… Reward. Freedom allows for Free Choice!
Report Post »oswell
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 12:16amYeah, why are libs trying to ban football? You’d think any sport involving wide receivers and tight ends would be fully supported by them and Obama too.
Report Post »The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 12:28amBarney Frank just called…he said “I see what you did there!” and hung up.
Just thought you should know.
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on May 13, 2012 at 11:57pmwhy are liberals trying to ban football?
i thought they wanted all the men to wear tight tights
Report Post »mattmo79
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 12:07pmOf course liberals want to ban football! They want men wearing tights with tutus and ballet slippers!!
Report Post »rsanchez1
Posted on May 13, 2012 at 11:51pmIt’s a stretch to associate this death with a concussion. None of the stories even say how he got hit. How he got hit is important. If he suffered a blow to the chest, that would have done him in if it hit at the unfortunate time in his heartbeat. A hit at to the chest at the wrong time can cause cardiac arrest with over 60% mortality rate, even with emergency services present. That is a very unfortunate accident, but I guess you can’t count on the media to provide you with crucial details that can lead to a good guess of what happened, rather than wild speculation that it was a concussion.
Report Post »Rman3
Posted on May 13, 2012 at 11:39pmI’ve been a huge football fan for years, but I‘m discovering I don’t want to watch it as much anymore. I find myself groaning or cringing at more and more plays in recent years. There just seem to be a lot more hits that are over the top and done in an attempt to injure the other player. That’s taken a lot of the fun out of the game for me.
Report Post »The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 12:30amThat is like me and hockey…can TIVO erase the fights as well as the commercials? That way I can watch an entire game in about 10 minutes.
Report Post »jadomac
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 1:15amAre you guys serious? Just shut it down then. Lets just let them meet every year, award some participation ribbons and put all the players in the hall of fame.
Report Post »mharry860
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 1:22amWhen I was in 8th grade I was designated to take out the opposing and vastly superior team’s star running back. This was 35 years ago and I succeeded after 3 personal fouls and my ejection, he was done. We won the game by the way.
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on May 13, 2012 at 11:31pmIts always a one in a million fluke! I hate football! Its a violent game as far as I am concerned!
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 3:41amAre you into boxing?
Report Post »LeadNotFollow
Posted on May 13, 2012 at 11:30pm…
Report Post »Sorry to hear of another casualty, of what used to be a fun game.
Nearly everyone I know had quit watching football years ago. They all say it’s no longer a fun sport. It’s turned too mean. It’s almost to the point of kill or be killed.
101stIraqVet
Posted on May 13, 2012 at 11:24pmLast time I checked, it was a personal choice for someone to play football. Everyone knows the dangers of the game, and sometimes in life there are serious consequences for the chance to make millions of dollars.
While we’re at it, let’s ban the military. Those men and women put their lives on the line for that silly ideal known as freedom… who needs that?
Report Post »imsteph
Posted on May 13, 2012 at 11:44pmliberals are setting up to ban football…
Report Post »Mandors
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 7:11amSteph,
They have been for a while. Football and other American (read: better) sports detract attention from soccer that wonderfully boring GLOBAL sport.
Report Post »jcldwl
Posted on May 14, 2012 at 9:45am@Mandors
Report Post »You are absolutely right. I told my wife that a couple of years ago. We stopped watching football last year. First time in years that I didn’t even watch the superbowl. The game is filled with criminals and makes heros out of convicted felons.