CFL earns plaudits for padded practice ban
Two prominent voices for change in the pro-sport concussion crisis are praising the Canadian Football League and its players union after their joint announcement Wednesday to eliminate full-contact practices during the season.
Previously, each of the nine CFL teams had been allowed a maximum of one full-contact (i.e. padded) practice per week, up to a maximum of 17 during the league’s 18-game, 20-week regular season.
Effective immediately, CFL teams may practise in pads with full contact only in the pre-season. What’s more, the CFL and CFLPA agreed starting in 2018 to add a third bye week to provide players with increased rest and recovery.
“We have developed and agreed upon these changes in the spirit of partnership (with the CFLPA) and in pursuit of a shared goal: making the game we all love safer for the elite athletes who thrill our fans with their skill and talent,” CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie said Wednesday in a statement,
Both the Canadian and American arms of the Concussion Legacy Foundation provided statements Thursday to Postmedia praising these actions.
“I am thrilled that the CFL and CFLPA have set this new policy,” said Chris Nowinski, co-founder of the original American arm of the foundation and the most vocal critic of pro sports leagues that drag their feet in passing regulations and rules to reduce the chances of short-term brain injuries and longterm brain diseases.
“Based on the concerning evidence we have today on the long-term effects of repetitive brain trauma this is a sensible, forwardthinking response — with only upside for the players and the future of the game.”
Tim Fleiszer, founder and executive director of Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada, was equally as laudatory.
“As a CFL alum and former CFL Players Association representative, I was proud of our league when I heard (the) news,” Fleiszer said.
“It is a big step in the right direction. Other sports leagues should take note and follow suit.”
In the NFL, teams may hold up to 14 padded practices during the 16-game, 17-week regular season with only three allowed after Week 11.
Might the NFL consider talking to its players association about implementing a similar in-season ban on padded practices?
NFLPA assistant executive director George Atallah tweeted: “Ending padded/contact practices immediately is an interesting development in the CFL.”