" ... somebody is going to die here in the NFL. It's going to happen" Carson Palmer

[Poiuyt]

"The truth of the matter is ... somebody is going to die here in the NFL. It's going to happen." Carson Palmer to Peter King

==

"Guys are getting so big, so fast, so explosive,'' Palmer said. "The game's so violent. Now that they're cutting out the wedge deal on kickoff returns, those guys coming free, and at some point somebody is going to die in football. And I hope it's not anyone at this table, and I hope it doesn't happen, obviously. Everyone talks about the good old days, when guys were tough and quarterbacks got crushed all the time, but back in the day, there weren't defensive ends that were Mario Williams -- 6-7, 300 pounds, 10 percent body fat, running a 4.7 40.

"The game has changed, the game is getting bigger, faster, stronger, and there needs to be more protection. If I weren't a quarterback, I would be mad about the rules. If I were a safety or a defensive back, I would be mad about the new rule that you can't hit your helmet above their shoulder pads or whatever it is because it does take some of the ferociousness out of the game, but somebody is going to get seriously hurt, possibly die.

"I don't think you can change it. It's the nature of the world. The ways that guys train now, the way that guys eat and take vitamins and take supplements and all these things, guys are getting more muscle mass, more explosiveness, faster. Like I said, I hope to God it doesn't happen. Since I've been in the league, I feel like the D-Ends that come into the league, they're freaks, they're freaks of nature, and I hope it doesn't happen, but the rules need to be adjusted a little bit because is getting a little out of control.''

more-

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/peter_king/09/06/mmqb/3.html#ixzz0QS5TsDMQ


Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/peter_king/09/06/mmqb/3.html#ixzz0QS57dF9a

[KamaAina]

1. Korey Stringer (Vikings) died of heat stroke

in training camp. :(

edit: header

[LisaM]

2. And Stringer was found to have some supplement in his blood, too, IIRC

Ephedrine, or something.

They need to get the drugs out of the sport.

[Bluzmann57]

3. I saw a guy die when nobody was within 10 yds. of him

A guy named Chuck Hughes of the Detroit Lions in a game vs. the Bears. Hughes caught a pass, was running along toward at least a big play if not a td, and collapsed. He had a heart attack. This happened in the '70's but I don't remember the exact year.

[trotsky]

7. Wikipedia says it was in 1971.

But he hadn't caught a pass, he was just running a route when he collapsed. Sad but must have had a heart defect or something to die that young.

[Bluzmann57]

8. Ok thank you.

I sort of remember it. I was much younger and it was on tv, I was not there in person. So thanks for clearing that up. It was creepy no matter what. And I believe he did have a heart attack.

[Captain Hilts]

4. Sam Huff basically says the same thing. He can't get over how big and fast the players are.

[Onceuponalife]

5. Can it be Ochostinko please?

[PVnRT]

6. Getting rid of the wedge was fucking stupid