Dan Fouts is no stranger to how tough the game of football is. A less than mobile quarterback, Fouts was the starter for the Chargers during the Air Coryell days. He took a bunch of hits during his career due to his lack of athleticism and as such is one of the vets you can expect to have a strong opinion in the debate surrounding big hits.
Prior to the celebration of the life of Junior Seau, Fouts chose to break his silence on the topic when speaking with CBSSports.com and suggested his remedy for the situation:
"“The thing is is that as players we’re taught to fight through injuries … and to play … and blah, blah, blah … because I don’t need help – I can get off the field myself. And I think that mentality has got to change, and I think it is … even if it’s slowly”“Instead of money, I think the punishment should be playing time because then you get into peer pressure and hurting the general cause of the team. And that’s what players don’t want to do. You fine these guys a couple of grand and that’s nothing these days. So take away what’s most dear to them, and that’s playing.”"
The strategy of missing games has been discussed previously and we have seen repeat offenders such as posterboy James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers hit with suspension but Fouts appears to be suggesting that suspensions should replace fines entirely. Considering how we have seen the public donate money to a fined player to help him pay and the player and team themselves are barely affected by the fines this suggestion certainly has merit.
While fines are currently a part of the disciplinary program right now there’s little doubt that if they don’t have much affect and a more serious line must be taken toward those who break the rules. Players may know that football is a violent sport but they all know what the rules are as well. If we continue to see rule breaking surrounding safety then the players have to accept a greater responsibility for their actions given that the rules are in place and they must be followed. We will continue to debate these rules but one thing is certain – you can bet NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is going to continue to crack down on those who break the laws of the game.
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