I've encountered (and I'm sure others have) guys who put down any efforts to make rules more protective of players as turning football into some sort sissified version of the game. I usually suggest to them that they go to a D1 or NFL practice and tell these guys their views on the matter. I remember Dennis Quaid, while filming "Everybody's All-American," shot a football scene in full gear. For realism's sake, he took an actual hit from one of the cast members — former NFL linebacker Willie Lanier. It did not go well. If I remember correctly, Quaid ended up with a couple of cracked ribs — from a single hit.
With today's bigger, faster players, it's a good thing the rules have been modified. Back in the '50s and '60s when I started watching football, stuff such as clotheslining was not illegal. Receivers who tried to run routes over the middle against players like Dick Butkus usually weren't anxious to do it again after getting a forearm shot in the throat.
With today's bigger, faster players, it's a good thing the rules have been modified. Back in the '50s and '60s when I started watching football, stuff such as clotheslining was not illegal. Receivers who tried to run routes over the middle against players like Dick Butkus usually weren't anxious to do it again after getting a forearm shot in the throat.
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