My dedicated followers, thank you for welcoming me back.
For those of you who watched the Super Bowl this year and were expecting all my posts about the Niners, I know I failed. I went into seasonal depression after Taylor Swift stole the show for the Super Bowl…did anyone remember Usher actually performing?
Flag Football
Meanwhile, with the NFL season over, I have now been able to focus my time and energy supporting my niece in her first club flag football league. She plays for the SoCal Reign based out of the Inland Empire in Southern California.
I will say the downside to having a full time career and a side business is that my blog took a hit while I traveled, shuttled, and worked the past few months. Needless to say, the next few months will be dedicated to the growing game of flag football.
Play It Safe
This week’s topic is something– as a nurse who has worked in trauma and as an athlete– I feel strongly about. One of the biggest pushes by the NFL to support the game of flag football is the decreased amount of contact the athletes sustain. Almost each year, the NFL has been adjusting certain rules to protect the players from serious injuries that can lead to an end in their career, and potentially long term disability or deficits.
But, even flag football has its potential for injuries with incidental contact or simply just not having the right equipment.
I was recently at my niece’s tournament in San Diego and witnessed a gnarly collision between two players going for the ball. Both players ended up on the ground after shoulders and heads collided. They ultimately exited the game and did not compete for the rest of the tournament.
Unfortunately, neither of those players were wearing a protective helmet or headband that is designed for this sport; and has even been worn by rugby players. It is not yet a league requirement by NFL Flag Football or USA Flag Football for everyone on the team to wear protective headgear. But as the sport evolves (as Team USA will be present for the 2028 Olympic games) we could potentially see the leagues move to requiring protective headgear.
Helmet Head
Now, I’ll be honest. Soft helmets do look funny and are not as aesthetically pleasing to the eye like traditional tackle football helmets. But, like my dad told me when he made my sister and I wear helmets while snowboarding: it’s better to look goofy and be protected, than to have to struggle with long term injury costs and physical impairment.
I have taken care of many patients who have suffered from a traumatic brain injury in my years as a trauma intensive care (ICU) nurse. It is not what it looks like in the movies or on TV. What these patients and their families go through is a psychological culture shock. Especially if they are a young athlete, not even near their 30’s, and now having to live with an injury that alters them physically and/or mentally.
Most Importantly
The takeaway from this post: safety first. I’m all about supporting the athlete-ego and looking “cute” or “cool” while completely balling out on the competition. But always have the right protective equipment. It’s so worth it in the long run.