Safety has been maybe the biggest hot-button issue in the NFL for a few years now. But while Roger Goodell and NFLPA president DeMaurice Smith continue to search for solutions, the right answer might be found in another sport.
Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown attended the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Pocono on Sunday, and he came away with some observations about how to improve player safety in the NFL, per ESPN.com.
“We are way behind,” Brown said when comparing the two sports. “NASCAR stepped up their safety concepts, and I think the drivers feel NASCAR is doing everything that can be done.”
The NFL has been making big strides in attempting to better protect their players, which include numerous rule changes and continued research into improving helmets and other protective gear. Brown seems to think a lot more can be done to keep players safe on the field, and that the NFL should be taking notes from their NASCAR counterparts on just how to do so.
“Someone in NASCAR realized there were certain things that could be done to make it safer,” Brown said. “The same thing has to happen in football. It’s two different sports, but you want to make sure it’s as safe as you can make it.”
Brown’s focus on player safety seems to be at an all time high, especially now that he’s on the inner circle with NFL players, given his new role as a special adviser with the Cleveland Browns. So, this likely isn’t the last we’ll hear from Brown.
Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.
