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Quite a few negative reactions regarding the decision to go back to coaching in retirement. I think change has to start at the coaching level, as boycotting the sport will do little to change the status quo, especially in the immediate. A few thoughts - In my own experience in playing contact sports (lacrosse, not football), it's a trained behavior to shake off injuries, avoid trainers, and otherwise ignore your body's warnings of potential harm. This is taught by the coach [or worse, parents]. The encouragement to push yourself beyond natural limits only increases as you progress to the collegiate and professional levels. The unfortunate effects of competition are that coaches skirt a dangerous line of balancing the star player[s] safety and winning the game, and this behavior is clear to the players lower in the depth chart who wish to become the next star. Some of the more disturbing things openly shared were how to pass the concussion protocol, that coach will let you take off a week of practice after a hard head hit so don't go to the trainers, and to shake off any and all injuries as you will be rewarded for being tough. I, and any number of my ex-teammates, agree we experienced what are now known as "minor concussions" constantly throughout our season. Only major concussions would go reported. Being able to walk off the field typically meant you had only a minor injury, and could go back in once getting some wind. The fact that so many are injured during practice goes to show, it's coming from the coach's inaction and not just during the heat of the game. Under this light, I think Finley is taking a proactive approach to change by inserting himself on the front lines. |
Absolutely. Personal experience FWIW -- 30 years ago, different sport (wrestling), different country, different culture, very low amateurish level, but typically the same attitude. First time I got a moderately serious injury (torn acromial ligament, couldn't move the arm for 6 months), I basically got yelled at by the coach saying either I continue to came to training and work with the other hand, or I split off. So the next time (I landed almost vertically on the top of my head instead of flatly on the back -- now he was afraid, but I was so proud of myself, didn't even want to interrupt the exercise.
Fast forward 30 years. I realise now that in some sports, people who didn't make it "to the top", are sometimes left with what seems like small stuff when you're 16 -- damaged teeth, torn ligaments, broken ribs -- but which age much, much worse than the rest of the body.