As the NFL continues to grapple with stories of former players living with long-term brain damage, there’s a new proposal being discussed that would reduce the number of head-on collisions that players experience: Start practicing without helmets.
Jason La Canfora of NFL Network reports that John Madden, in his new role as an adviser to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, is regularly leading conference calls with a group of coaches to discuss ways to make the NFL safer, and one of the recommendations has been practicing without helmets.
The group of coaches Madden has regular discussions with -- Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, Eagles coach Andy Reid, Chargers coach Norv Turner, 49ers coach Mike Singletary and former coach Mike Holmgren -- have spoken about how they could make practices safer for players by taking the helmets off.
For his part, Madden -- an old-school coach of the 1970s -- has a hard time picturing an NFL practice without helmets. But he says the coaches of today aren’t ruling it out.
“It seems a little far-fetched,” Madden said, “but it’s something the coaches have been talking about.”
Madden, who also wants to see rules limiting off-season work, eliminating wedges on kickoff returns and eradicating hits on defenseless players, said he’s enjoying his role as an adviser to the commissioner because he believes Goodell is dedicated to improving the game by making it safer.
“He’s very interested in this, pushing safety, not only concussions, but the whole safety of the game, making sure it’s played right, which I appreciate,” Madden said. “And it’s one of the reasons I’m involved. I know the things we believe in and the things we stand for are the same things the Commissioner stands for.”
