freepb.org - Football on the Beach or Football on the Field-It's Got to Be Safe

When you think of the beach, you think of fun. Friends, cookouts-a little surfing maybe-you certainly don't think about safety. And while you can usually find a San Diego beach to get a pickup football game together, rarely do you worry about safety. Robert Edwards certainly didn't.

Edwards, a former standout running back at the University of Georgia, had just finished his rookie season for the New England Patriots, running over tacklers to the tune of 1,115 yards. On a sandy beach in Hawaii, as part of the NFL (National Football League) Pro Bowl festivities, Edwards participated in a touch football game with other NFL rookies.

Leaping to bat down a pass (a motion he's not used to performing, being an offensive player), Edwards landed awkwardly on his knee, with devastating results: three torn knee ligaments, one partially torn ligament, a severed artery, and a stretched nerve. Doctors were discussing amputation while telling Edwards even if they saved the leg, he would be lucky to simply walk again. Edwards, determined to prove the doctors wrong, began a vigorous rehab.

Thankfully, severe knee injuries like Edwards' are extremely uncommon. And beach football injuries in general-if you're just out playing a little touch football with your buddies-are pretty rare, too. But when you leave the beach and take to the gridiron, things change. We've come a long way since the leather helmets and minimalist pads of yesteryear. Players are bigger, stronger, and faster today-and equipment has kept pace. Can you imagine how dominating Bronco Nagurski would have been in today's game, with a big set of shoulder pads and a new football helmet like the Schutt ION 4D? Not that Bronco would have cared that his new helmet had an internal shock attenuation system-he'd probably just like the sound it made when he put his head into a linebacker's chest or blindsided a quarterback.

And that's the whole point about safety-just like on the beach, you're probably not thinking about it. It's good to know, however, that there are companies out there that take it very seriously. Even down to the cushioning in the helmet, there are advances being made. Traditional foam is out. Instead, the ION 4D contains SkyDex 2, the most advanced cushioning system in the game today. And while busting the wedge on a kickoff will never be considered safe, at least you'll know you have the latest technology on your side.

Unfortunately, safety measures can only take you so far. Whether you're on the beach or on the field, accidents and freak occurrences will happen. Just ask Robert Edwards. His story, however, has a happy ending. In 2002, Edwards-whose ability to walk was once in doubt-returned to the field as a member of the Miami Dolphins. And he didn't just return to the field-he scored two touchdowns leading his team to a 49-21 victory over the Detroit Lions.

You just can't write it any better than that.


"Eternal Vigilance is the Price of Liberty." -- Wendell Phillips Join freepb.org Join your Town Council Beach Alcohol Task Force News Mission Statement Letters & Articles Contact Us Links & Local Contacts Partners/Sponsors Volunteer Opportunities		Football on the Beach or Football on the Field-It's Got to Be Safe When you think of the beach, you think of fun. Friends, cookouts-a little surfing maybe-you certainly don't think about safety. And while you can usually find a San Diego beach to get a pickup football game together, rarely do you worry about safety. Robert Edwards certainly didn't. Edwards, a former standout running back at the University of Georgia, had just finished his rookie season for the New England Patriots, running over tacklers to the tune of 1,115 yards. On a sandy beach in Hawaii, as part of the NFL (National Football League) Pro Bowl festivities, Edwards participated in a touch football game with other NFL rookies. Leaping to bat down a pass (a motion he's not used to performing, being an offensive player), Edwards landed awkwardly on his knee, with devastating results: three torn knee ligaments, one partially torn ligament, a severed artery, and a stretched nerve. Doctors were discussing amputation while telling Edwards even if they saved the leg, he would be lucky to simply walk again. Edwards, determined to prove the doctors wrong, began a vigorous rehab. Thankfully, severe knee injuries like Edwards' are extremely uncommon. And beach football injuries in general-if you're just out playing a little touch football with your buddies-are pretty rare, too. But when you leave the beach and take to the gridiron, things change. We've come a long way since the leather helmets and minimalist pads of yesteryear. Players are bigger, stronger, and faster today-and equipment has kept pace. Can you imagine how dominating Bronco Nagurski would have been in today's game, with a big set of shoulder pads and a new football helmet like the Schutt ION 4D? Not that Bronco would have cared that his new helmet had an internal shock attenuation system-he'd probably just like the sound it made when he put his head into a linebacker's chest or blindsided a quarterback. And that's the whole point about safety-just like on the beach, you're probably not thinking about it. It's good to know, however, that there are companies out there that take it very seriously. Even down to the cushioning in the helmet, there are advances being made. Traditional foam is out. Instead, the ION 4D contains SkyDex 2, the most advanced cushioning system in the game today. And while busting the wedge on a kickoff will never be considered safe, at least you'll know you have the latest technology on your side. Unfortunately, safety measures can only take you so far. Whether you're on the beach or on the field, accidents and freak occurrences will happen. Just ask Robert Edwards. His story, however, has a happy ending. In 2002, Edwards-whose ability to walk was once in doubt-returned to the field as a member of the Miami Dolphins. And he didn't just return to the field-he scored two touchdowns leading his team to a 49-21 victory over the Detroit Lions. You just can't write it any better than that.