Ryan Langford Persuasive Speech Outline Topic: Helmet to Helmet Contact Pattern: Problem-Solution Purpose: To persuade the audience that helmet to helmet contact is a problem in football today. Central Idea: The Problem of helmet to helmet contact and how dangerous it can be and figuring out solutions. Introduction: a) Targeting and Initiating Contact with the Crown of the Helmet Rule (9-1-3) No player shall target and initiate contact against an opponent with the crown (top) of his helmet. When in question, it is a foul. (American Football Coaches Association) [attention getter] b) Targeting and Initiating Contact to Head or Neck Area of a Defenseless Player (Rule 9-1-4) No player shall target …show more content…
Transition: Most people don’t know the underlying effects of helmet to helmet contact in High School, College and Professional Football. Body. I. Helmet to Helmet Contact and Concussions in Highschool Football a) A huge factor for helmet to helmet contact in high school football is poor coaching in the wrong and right way to tackle. b) Boston University researchers said that the average high school lineman takes between 1,000 to 1,500 hits to the head each season, some at forces equivalent to or greater than a 25-mile-an-hour car crash.(Patrick Hruby in an article titled Game Over.) c) High School football players face a higher risk of concussions.(PBS) Transition: The next stage of football if your lucky enough to get to would be College Football. But in actuality how lucky are you? II. Helmet to Helmet Contact and Concussions in College Football a) College lineman experience over 1,000 sub-concussive head hits in an average season. Most people are unaware that a lineman in the three-point stance is the most vulnerable of all football players to a brain …show more content…
The risk of concussion in football is three to six times higher in players who have had a previous concussion. (GuardianCaps) Transition: The effects of helmet to helmet contact could already be effecting you and you don’t even know it. III. Helmet to Helmet Contact and Concussions in Professional Football a) 2012 - 261 diagnosed concussions during preseason and regular-season practices and games combined. 2013 - 228 diagnosed concussions during preseason and regular-season practices and games combined.(CNN Library) b) A professional football player will receive an estimated 900 to 1500 blows to the head during a season.(Concussion Facts) c) Notable Deaths due to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. - Junior Seau, Linebacker for the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots. A 12-time Pro Bowler and near-certain future member of the Hall of Fame, Seau killed himself in May of 2012. (Article from Truth-out by Jeff Fecke February 23,2013) Solution I. Improving Football Equipment a) Having better regulations on the maintenance and the upkeep on football helmets for every level of