A Solution to the Concussion Craze

The concussion conundrum that has been at the forefront of the NFL and NHL over the past few years is a serious issue. This type of injury does not only harm fan bases and organizations, it jeopardizes the livelihood and future of victimized athletes. So what can be done to protect players while simultaneously maintaining the essence of each sport?

I think I've figured it out. First, allow me to quote a portion of the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution:

"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed..."

Is there anyone who disagrees with this policy? Then why not bring it to sports?

One of the major issues that the NFL and NHL has had to deal in recent years is the notion that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NHL head disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan seemingly have no standards for doling out fines and suspensions. Players are unsure where the lines are.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison has long suspected that he is simply on Goodell's "naughty" list and, therefore, receives harsher punishment than others of equal guilt. Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. However, he is only one of many who question the decisions of the monarchical front offices of these two sports organizations.

As a man who has served as a Dean of Students — or head disciplinarian — at the middle school level, I know the importance of setting precedents and preserving "fairness." If one student earns a detention for chewing gum, the next student cannot be given a free pass. The notion is the same in sports.

In Game 3 of the 2012 Western Conference Quarterfinals between the Chicago Blackhawks and Phoenix Coyotes, a vicious hit by Coyotes winger Raffi Torres took Marian Hossa of Chicago out of the game on a stretcher. No penalty was called. In fact, due to a teammate of Hossa defending his honor by grabbing Torres, the Blackhawks had to serve the penalty. Hossa did not return; Torres played the rest of the night. Fair?

Upon further review, the hit was clearly illegal on several grounds. Torres charged Hossa, aiming for his head; he left his feet, which is against the rules; and he interfered with a player that was no longer controlling the puck. How four referees missed this makes me sick to my stomach. However, the NHL wisely suspended Torres the next day, indefinitely.

This brings back the same question that has been asked hundreds of times: how can we prevent this from happening?

Here's how:

Each team elects a representative "juror" for the season. If a suspension-worthy offense occurs (as deemed by Goodell/Shanahan in their respective leagues), player representatives review the circumstances and vote on the price to be paid. Allow players to determine the consequences for one another.

I've thought of the major counter argument: "Players wouldn't snitch." Solution: make the votes anonymous.

Look, when NFL players knew the Saints were trying to hurt other players, they had two options: snitch or let it happen. This solution offers a third choice: analyze the play in private and cast a silent vote to determine whether or not "dirty play" will continue.

I truly believe that any NHL player (except maybe Raffi Torres) would view Raffi Torres' hit on Marian Hossa as disgraceful, cowardly, and flat out sad. I also truly believe that players value themselves, their families, their teammates, and the sports they play enough to look at someone such as Torres — a repeat offender — and dole out the proper punishment.

Essentially, players could be banned for life by other players. They would be forced to respect one another or suffer dire, career-threatening consequences. If this wouldn't be incentive to clean up the way a player goes about his business on the gridiron or in the rink, then I don't know what can.

Imagine a group of husbands/fathers/football players watching Brandon Meriweather go helmet-to-helmet with clear intent for the third time in a season. Imagine a contingency of husbands/fathers/hockey players witnessing Torres' third horrifically dangerous hit in the past two seasons. Now imagine those same men who suit up for the games deciding, "This isn't what I want my game to be. He needs to go."

Wouldn't that send a message?