Big Men Played in a Game Bigger Than Themselves

Here is a series of “Greatest Hits” by Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus. He “blew up” a lot of offensive players; running backs and receivers alike. The difference between Dick Butkus and the players of today is that Dick Butkus learned his craft, he applied his craft as he learned it and in so doing, Dick Butkus has grown into a legend.

You won’t see Dick Butkus resorting to the cowardly methods of “hits” used by modern players like those that occurred over the weekend involving players from the New England Patriots, the Pittsburg Steelers and the Atlanta Falcons.

Then, we have fellow Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott:

Notice the customary facemask to chest position on most hits head on, the shoulder to chest hits from the side and in all cases, trying to wrap up the opposing player with both arms. Ronnie Lott had part of his finger cut off because it would help him heal faster and get back to playing the game. That’s a man who loves and respects competition and his professsion. Notice also that both Butkus and Lott are Hall of Fame members.

Now, look at the controversial hits of this weekend:

Little Men Who Will Never Wear Daddys Shoes

As you watch the Dunta Robinson hit on Desean Jackson on the close up, notice how, at the last second, Robinson tucks his chin and leads with his head. He ignores the head up, face mask to chest technique. By lowering his head, he removes any chance of shoulder to chest tackling, and by not reaching out to wrap up the receiver, he removes all doubt that this was a deliberate attempt at a helmet to helmet strike. Robinson is lucky he did not damage his cervical spinal cord. Look at how much bend his neck gets by the sudden impact.

Next comes the James Harrison hit on Mohamed Massaquoi. Again, the tackler, Harrison leads with his head and strikes with both forearms. No attempt to wrap up the receiver is made. This his is deliberate and malicious delivered with ill intent. This is not tackling. This is not football.

Here’s Harrison’s vicious hit from the blind side on Joshua Cribbs

In the aftermath, Harrison was fined $75,000.00, or $18,000.00 more than one game check. Unlike Lott who cut off a finger to get back on the field quicker, Harrison whined about the unfairness of the fine and threatened to retire. Unfortunately, he decided his paycheck was more important than his “principle”. He sounds like he’d make a great politician.

And, let’s not forget our own New England Patriot linebacker, Brandon Meriweather’s dirty hit on Todd Heap:

In all 4 cases, not one of the “tacklers” made any attempt to tackle. All lead with their heads or head and forearms. All deliberately aimed for the opponent’s head and neck area – a strike zone prohibited by rule. One could argue that Dunta Robinson’s hit was more accidental than deliberate, but in my mind, once Dunta turned his face down leaving the crown of his head as the strike point, he relinquished all rights to plead accidental.

None of the 4 players who made headlines for their “blowups” will ever make it to the Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame players are masters of the fundamentals and are remembers for their love and respect for the game as much as their accomplishments.

None of the four players in question did anything to show respect for the game or for their fellow competitors. All demonstrated a selfishness and disrespect for professionalism to almost assure themselves that they will never be considered for the Hall of Fame let alone get in without having to pay admission.

Why This Story Is Important

The dangers of helmet to helmet contact have filtered down to junior league players and the incident of head and spinal trauma is on the rise.