‘We’re a team, and we’re a family’: NFL Players react to new NFLPA policy
DOUGLAS — With the NFLPA signing off on the rule changes needed to protect players from concussions and other long-term health risks, players from around the league have expressed their thoughts and concerns.
Here are some reactions from players and coaches.
NFL Players and Coaches — Here are the reactions from NFL players and Coaching staffs: DE David Hawthorne: I’m very pleased that we have a plan to prevent concussions in the league.
I’ve played the game long enough to know the risks of playing this game, and I think it’s important for the players to be informed about the risks.
I think a plan like this will really protect the players from a lot of things that could potentially happen, like concussions, and injuries that could happen.
It also gives the players some peace of mind and some certainty in terms of their long-time commitment to playing this great game.
DE Jared Allen: The plan will protect the health and well-being of the players.
As a player who has suffered multiple concussions myself, I am very pleased.
The players are going to be protected, and that’s going to help them to be able to perform at their highest level.
TE Travis Kelce: I am excited to be working with our NFL Players’ Association to protect our players from this long-standing problem of concussions.
I am a firm believer in protecting players from concussion risks, and the plan is the right one for the long-lasting long-run benefit of our players and our league.
LB Justin Durant: This is a good day for all of us, especially for our players, who have suffered so much concussions from head injuries.
The plan is good for the NFL, for the league and for our fans.
TE Rob Gronkowski: We know the rules of the game are going forward, and this is a plan that protects our players.
We’re going to make sure that our players are aware of what they are doing, what they’re not doing, and what they can and cannot do.
WR Chris Hogan: I think the plan will help to prevent long-distance contact.
I’m excited about that.
I love to play the game, I love playing for the Patriots, and if I can’t play football, I’m going to enjoy life and I’m happy to get back into my life.
QB Andrew Luck: I know that this is not the first time a plan has been put in place to protect the integrity of the sport, but the NFL is a family and we are all going to work together to ensure the health of our guys, including our players who are going through the process.
DE J.J. Watt: This was a good thing.
The guys in the union, who are in charge of this plan, are really working hard and putting the time in to get this done.
I hope this gets done before it’s too late for the other guys, and hopefully we can put a plan in place before it gets too late.
DE Tyson Jackson: I support this plan.
I support it because I know what it’s like to play football and I know how important it is to be healthy.
I know the game is a physical sport, and it’s about making the best of your body.
I also think it will be beneficial for our league, as well.
LB Ryan Kerrigan: I want to thank the players and the union for putting this in place, because I’m sure the players are concerned and we need to work on this to protect their health and their minds.
DE Jordan Poyer: I applaud the players for putting in place the plan and hope they do a great job.
I have been through this and have played football for 17 years, so this is my fourth concussion, and as a player I’ve been through it all.
I feel like I am going to have to retire because of the effects that I’ve had on my brain and my body.
DE Terrence Fede: This has been a long and stressful time, but it’s time for us to do something about it.
I understand the challenges that the players face.
We know they have the utmost respect for their families and for their teammates.
I believe that all of them are going home on time.
I want the players, my teammates and the fans to know that we will get through this.
DE Justin Smith: I understand what the players have to do.
I don’t believe that we’re going away, and our players should know that they are going somewhere to go.
I applaud them and the players in the process of making the right decision for them.
LB Dontari Poe: I’ve suffered multiple head injuries in my life and have had to deal with them from multiple different angles, so I understand how they feel.
I respect their decision.
DE Jonathan Bullard: I don
