Closing Arguments: Congress Tackles NFL Head Injuries

The NFL should protect its players by getting new helmets and prohibiting hits which lead to head injuries. While they are at it, what about testing for steroids?

I agree. This is just like the tobacco coverup and is all about the money.

The government has managed to find a way to police almost everything in America today. At this rate, we will be watching Monday Night Chess. But I am sure eventually some congressman will declare chess as dangerous too.

Let the game be played the way it always has. Sorry if players get hurt thats what the million dollar contracts are for. Instead of spending all the money on the bling, houses, cars, etc..... they should put it towards possible injuries.

It is ridiculous that the Congress of the United States is sticking it nose into private matters such as this. This is certainly a sign of the (Obama) times, as we see the federal government trying to become the all-powerful mother state. What's next - regulating what activities we can do with our children - maybe Congress should look into accidents caused when little red wagons overturn....

The fact that Roger Goodell would not even acknowledge the connection shows the little respect he truely has for NFL players. The people who make him millions and millions of dollars a year.

Leave the NFL alone,too many rules, it's going to be flag football before long.

These men are in a profession that they have chosen and they are being paid far more than most people can fathom. They know what the risks are when they start because they are not new to the game when they sign their contract. And, they are adults. If it gets too rough or risky for them, they can leave. They're big boys.

Congress should have better things to do (with our tax dollars) than regulate the NFL, NBA, MLB or any other sports league...Besides isn't that what OSHA's for?

congress needs to worry about the economy and the afgan war.worrying about the NFL instead is as dumb as congress

I think congress has bigger fish to fry than whats going on in the NFL.
To compare the NFL to the tobacco industry is idiotic, oh wait, this is a congressman. Sorry about that comment I agree now, playing football is as dangerous as smoking cigarettes and it will affect at least 10 people in the next 5 years. Please devote your precious time to this problem.
God knows they can't afford medical care, can they!!!!!

Hello... this is football not powder puff. Football is an American icon and men have been football for years. Congress is wasting taxpayers dollars even discussing this. The players knowing accept the risks associated with playing football. This is not like tobacco coverup because everyone involved is well aware that if anyone gets hit enough times in the head there will be some type of brain damage in the long run. Football is really no different from boxing so what next??? Outlaw boxing? I love my country and respect my government but this is going to far.

I think congress has alot more pressing issues than football. these are grown men doing a job and getting paid very well for it.its just another waste of tax payer money on capitol hill

I am not sure if the Congress should become involved but I do believe that the League should provide better safety mesasures. I have 2 children that play the sport and this really concerns me greatly just to think that a huge hit and take them out for the rest of their lives. Yes, I understand there is risk in everything we do in life but take an extra measure regardless of what the players are being paid.
Thank you.

Washington needs to take action on health care,the banks, and the war. I am a football fan GO BEARS. Playing football is a choice. Do I think the hits contribute to brain damage,you bet. But the league needs to take care of this issue themselves. They make enough money off of the game.
As for Flint,if the banks would act sooner we could save some of those homes! People can't get help until they have missed payments and a short sale can take over 3 months.

I agree with Ted and Paul. What is congress doing messing with tjhis! I think they need to start doing what they were elected to do, and for us ,the ones they are to represent and serve!!!

The fact that congress formed a committe to discuss head injuries in the NFL shows how much congress JUSAT DOES NOT GET IT. Our economy is in the toliet, unemployment is outr of sight, the recessions IS NOT eveb close to being over and our ELECTED officials are concerning themselves with head injuries with millionaires. Look, I dont want anyone to be seriously hurt playing footbal or anything else but these guys know what they are getting into. They make millions, buy some more padding, or come up with a better helmet, whatever but congress DOES NOT need to concern themselves with this subject. Get the economy back on track,win the war and bring our boys back home, how about fixing those things???

Good point Misty! We will all "enjoy" good Monday Night Chess on all the channels since we are losing any kind of freedom we once had. Oh well China will own us in less than five years as this administration is spending us bankrupt. I suppose then we can all be in our own commune. Bill is correct, in my view, these men who play this game are owed some form of enhanced protection than what they now getting. But government intervention by a Congress or President who are not solving the problems of war, health care, and are already into too much of the private sector with purchases of auto manufacturers and banks is so totally unneeded.

Congress getting involved in this issue of brain injuries (concussions) is a joke. This potentially affects only the number of NFL players in the league, which is 1,696 people. These same people choose to risk life and limb to play a sport - FOR THE MONEY - willingly, and then run to be first in line when they suffer debilitating effects from their profession. I feel that there are quite a few more serious issues that congress should address. How about a nationwide motorcycle helmet law because I guarantee you that more brain injuries occur annually because of those accidents than the handful of NFL players who suffer concussions. These spoiled millionaire athletes should put some of their own money for research and treatment for their fellow NFL alumni into a fund if they are soo worried about this issue, instead of looking for a free handout or forcing the NFL to become a non-contact league.

congress needs to be focusing on more important issues other than nfl football. before it was baseball and steroids. they held testimonies in front of congress to wether grown men took steroids while playing mlb baseball while other countries were in south america securing their future oil needs. now congress is worried about nfl football and head injuries. I am a huge sports fan put these are grown men making these choices to play ball. I do not wish any harm to players and i do not think it is congress job to protect ball players. they have their union for that. if that is the case there are many jobs they would have to protect the workers while they do their jobs too. And there are many more serious issues that congress needs to be worrying about. How about comments made that they will not let citi group or goldman sachs fail. What good does this do. We own many different businesses and if i knew that there was no way i be allowed to fail i would swing for the fences all the time. even though i will strike out more often than not. Why not since there is no way to go bankrupt. What is congress teaching everyone by what they are doing. making morgan stanely and someone else commercial banks so they can barrow money at 0% even though they are not really a commercial bank. And finally if congress wants to look at the nfl what about the ncaa where kids are playing ball to get an education or try to play pro ball and not getting any money and taking a huge physical risk without any monetary pay. Sorry for rambling put congress needs to address real issues or items of substance facing the united states and not filling their days with filler or fluff.