For these curious concerning the temperature within the room among the many NFL players, Matthew Slater gave a very good indication of the place it’s throughout New England Patriots OTAs on Wednesday. He mentioned the league’s new kickoff rule — which Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce has known as “absolutely stupid” — that will probably be applied within the 2023 season.
The NFL has been aiming to cut back the quantity of kickoff makes an attempt for years. This new rule will make the play even much less a component of the sport. Regardless of the place the return specialist is when he requires a good catch, the ball will now be positioned on the receiving staff’s 25-yard line. Being that Slater is a 10-time Pro Bowler as a particular teamer, he’s naturally going to be a bit biased. However, it’s exhausting to argue against his opinion that the best way that the NFL goes about participant security is basically window dressing.
“I’m just not convinced that our league is always gonna do what’s in the best interest of our players,” Slater advised the media. “I understand that we want to reduce head injuries and things of that nature, but we don’t always act as if player health and safety is paramount.
“We can talk about the Thursday Night games. That’s an easy one. That’s low-hanging fruit but we can also talk about the issues that our players experience once they leave the game. Why is it that we have to fight for healthcare beyond five years out of the game? Why is it that when players go to file for benefits, in terms of disability, they’re having to jump through hoops nonstop.”
Slater not satisfied NFL going to do what’s in players’ greatest pursuits
If the NFL did function in 100% good religion when it comes to participant security, then the league must be alarmed {that a} 15-year veteran who’s one of its most revered players, can be this brazenly essential. Jakobi Meyers stated about him on the finish of final season, “If I could grow up and be like him, I’ll be proud of myself.”
Slater has received a number of awards for management and his charitable work off of the sector. Bill Belichick is understood for letting players go a 12 months too early as a substitute of a 12 months too late. Yet he has continued to maintain a particular teamer on the roster as one of his captains. Slater will flip 38 years outdated in September, acquire no yards, and trigger no third-down stops. Still, the last word chilly as a Foxborough winter coach sees the worth in having Slater on the roster.
An group ought to desire a veteran like that to be a spokesperson for the league. This hardscrabble, particular groups lifer must be known as upon for the remainder of his life to make appearances at charity occasions and advertiser capabilities to extol the values of the NFL.
Instead, he’s saying that the NFL’s newest try at participant security is hole. A really damning indictment of how the league treats its players. Slater is questioning why as a substitute of the NFL pouring all its efforts into making a automotive crash secure, how about some intensive medical take care of the individuals taking part in these collisions and bringing nice revenue to billionaires.
The reply of course is that it’s cheaper to make the sport marginally safer than to really take monetary account for the inevitable injury that it causes. Simple economics: Small coverage adjustments are extra worthwhile than caring for individuals.
Maybe the NFL will invite Slater on a Zoom name or perhaps he’ll have a one-on-one with the commissioner subsequent time he’s in Massachusetts. Slater has sufficient clout within the NFL to the place he can at the least command an viewers.
Actual change although, don’t anticipate that subsequent month, subsequent 12 months, or subsequent collective bargaining settlement. Because you realize who doesn’t anticipate it? Matthew Slater.
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