The Effects of Concussions on the NFL For many years the NFL has been considered one of the most painful and dangerous sports played in the United States. But is it too dangerous? The increasing number of traumatic brain injuries is shocking. NFL analysts suggest a 14% increase in concussions for the year 2013. Player safety rules have also been implemented into the official rulebook. The three main effects concussions have on the NFL today are big hits, big plays, and defensive play being played today. The NFL is known for its gruesome, destructive hits on players, but the growing number of concussions has robbed players of being able to make these types of plays anymore! After the 2011 lawsuit, the NFL realized that new player safety rules needed to be implemented in the NFL rulebook. Rules such as no crown upon crown on the helmet outside the tackle box have eliminated the element of "big hits" in a football game. 1Redskin safety Brandon Meriwether was fined $42,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Packer running back Eddie Lacey. Thank God there is technology, because in the 1940s people played football with a leather helmet. Additionally, the NFL has established a new rule that every NFL team must have a neurologist on the sideline for every official game. Jets player Jeremy Kerley suffered a stunning injury in Week 1. Kerley passed the mandatory concussion evaluation and returned to the team soon after. Suddenly, the very next day, Jeremy was diagnosed with a concussion. I agree with the saying "take a team", but playing with a concussion is like playing with fire. Some big hitters in the NFL are seen as dirty players because of their crushing tackles. Many coaches like to blame big hits on the fact that… middle of paper… grams like bigger, faster, and stronger, there is no way to prevent concussions from occurring. I still watch and love football today, but part of me doesn't think defensive play is the same just because of the concussions. While I think football should still be played in today's society, many people view the game differently due to concussions. I don't agree with players being bad, but some of the calls made this year regarding tackling have blown my mind several times. The effects of concussions on big hits, big plays, and defensive play style have changed the NFL for the worse. I understand that referees have to do what they think is right, but in many cases players perform perfect technique and still get penalized. Although the NFL game is played at a high level, I believe concussions have taken some of the intensity away from the players.