FORCING PLAYERS TO WEAR KNEE PADS, THIGH PADS, SHOULDER PADS, MOUTHPIECES, NON-MIRRORED VISORS, ETC....... IS RIDIC-----ULOUS!!!!!!
THE ONLY THING "COMING TO THE RMFL" IS MORE CONTENTION, BITCHASSNESS, EXCUSES, BIG-TALKING NOBODIES...
YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST FOLKS!!!!!
You are right, we aren't the NFL. We have a lot better fields, better equipment, more training, better medical staffs and better league insurance than the NFL.... Oh wait, we have none of those.
Ok, here is a longer response than normal so get your nachos.
You are right. All of the players in the RMFL are here voluntarily and most are "pay to play". Owners recruit and have players help out with league fees, field costs officials etc. Something that it doesn't cover for most teams is certified trainers, doctors or EMTs. Medical staff like these are required at high school and little league games which are also "pay to play". While I know that the RMFL isn't high school or little league, those players are in much better shape than 50% of the players in the RMFL. With deaths happening in football and the sue happy society that we live in, the league and the owners need to be protected. If something drastic (death, broken leg, broken neck) happens, who is liable? The owners? The league? The officials? If I had a bet, over half of the players in the league DO NOT sign a waiver as required in the constitution. The biggest reason I would suggest this is to cover the asses of the league and the owners.
But you are right, forcing guys to be safe is ridiculous. Hell, there isn't a rule that says you need helmets so let's get rid of those too.
Not to be a buzz kill....but I see A LOT of lashback on the knee and thigh pad. Mostly knee pads though. There is a crap ton (me included) that absolutely can not stand knee pads...but I do wear thigh pads. Just my two cents...
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Good point kicker. I wonder how many people have altered their uniform pants that would be screwed? That seems like it is the thing to do for players now.
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Oh I agree Bryce. Real Bryce. NFL and college just say that you need them, not that they need to cover the knee. And remember everyone, this is just a suggestion. The managing board (owners/GMs) would need to pass this. I just can't make it a rule.
Just put the **** on and play, quit crying about it.
If wearing pads is too difficult or you wanna save your good knees pads for you night "job", I'm sure there are plenty of flag football leagues that you could sign up for.
Hey, wearing the pads is just smart. Take a helmet to the knee and what do you have? No more football for that season at least. Take a helmet to the unprotected shoulder and what do you get? Broken collar bone. Now granted, these can still happen with pads on but are more likely to happen without them. Our insurance is very clear on the point, all players sign a waiver, and all players wear the correct and full protection gear. Outlines, helmet, mouthpiece, chin strap, shoulder pads, thigh and tail bone pads, hips and knees.
Why would the owners vote for this? Because regardless of the recklessness of some of our players we are trying to both protect our players and our teams.
And remember everyone, this is just a suggestion. The managing board (owners/GMs) would need to pass this. I just can't make it a rule.
Just keeping this alive since, as Jess mentioned, it DOES require the Managing Board's vote...
GMs/Coaches/Designated Representatives, please vote this down (or abstain as long as a negative vote can be maintained) at the 2014 meeting so that knee/thigh pads remain optional. However, in response to the statement about players NOT signing waivers, please create some sort of enforcement that at least ONE of the freaking league requirements is adhered to. Please have your players sign them so you're covered. Ensure that the risk is a personal decision and removes your team's or the league's liability.
Solves the problem of guys saying "Just wear them". YOU wear them... it's your choice. If I break my kneecap, there's a signed waiver in place that says I have to pay for my own stupidity.
Just my pair of pennies...
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Darrell Baranowski
Utah Shock #51
Player... just a player. Hallelujah, I'M ONLY A PLAYER!!
Agreed, that should also apply to mouth guards... Helmets and shoulder pads are forcible cause that's a must but I don't feel mouthguards and bottom pads are a must
You know...