Headbutting

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John Grasso
Posts: 287
Joined: Sun Oct 05, 2014 1:01 pm
Location: Guilford, NY

Headbutting

Post by John Grasso »

Why in this era when hits to the head are severely penalized do
players headbutt each other when congratulating.
I realize the level of impact differs but it still seems incongruous.
NWebster
Posts: 567
Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2014 8:21 pm

Re: Headbutting

Post by NWebster »

It has amused me in recent years to see Tom Brady turn to a ref screaming bloody murder when a defender brushes his helmet with a finger like a butterfly, just to see him complete a TD pass and go head-butt half his O Line, Gronk, etc.
JohnH19
Posts: 934
Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2014 6:18 pm

Re: Headbutting

Post by JohnH19 »

That’s just one more thing that bothers this crotchety old man. It’s just plain stupid. In fact, my wife watched a couple of minutes of the Iron Bowl with me yesterday and I commented on it when Alabama players were banging heads in celebration of a play. My wife asked why coaches don’t put a stop to it. I didn’t have an answer.
sheajets
Posts: 1162
Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2014 12:22 am

Re: Headbutting

Post by sheajets »

JohnH19 wrote:That’s just one more thing that bothers this crotchety old man. It’s just plain stupid. In fact, my wife watched a couple of minutes of the Iron Bowl with me yesterday and I commented on it when Alabama players were banging heads in celebration of a play. My wife asked why coaches don’t put a stop to it. I didn’t have an answer.
We did it all the time when I played in high school and college. Never gave it much thought it was just this primal celebratory thing. Football is a gladiator sport and this was just a savage thing you did.

I used to hate it though when somebody surprised you out of the blue with a "come on let's go!!" and grabbed your facemask for a headbutt.
JohnH19
Posts: 934
Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2014 6:18 pm

Re: Headbutting

Post by JohnH19 »

sheajets wrote:
JohnH19 wrote:That’s just one more thing that bothers this crotchety old man. It’s just plain stupid. In fact, my wife watched a couple of minutes of the Iron Bowl with me yesterday and I commented on it when Alabama players were banging heads in celebration of a play. My wife asked why coaches don’t put a stop to it. I didn’t have an answer.
We did it all the time when I played in high school and college. Never gave it much thought it was just this primal celebratory thing. Football is a gladiator sport and this was just a savage thing you did.

I used to hate it though when somebody surprised you out of the blue with a "come on let's go!!" and grabbed your facemask for a headbutt.
I don't know when you were in high school but I'm guessing that concussions weren't yet a major topic of discussion. Heck, even the ubiquitous congratulatory head slap is a dumb thing to do. I've seen players dazed by an unexpected rap upside the head by a teammate.
nicefellow31
Posts: 236
Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2014 12:28 pm

Re: Headbutting

Post by nicefellow31 »

JohnH19 wrote:
sheajets wrote:
JohnH19 wrote:That’s just one more thing that bothers this crotchety old man. It’s just plain stupid. In fact, my wife watched a couple of minutes of the Iron Bowl with me yesterday and I commented on it when Alabama players were banging heads in celebration of a play. My wife asked why coaches don’t put a stop to it. I didn’t have an answer.
We did it all the time when I played in high school and college. Never gave it much thought it was just this primal celebratory thing. Football is a gladiator sport and this was just a savage thing you did.

I used to hate it though when somebody surprised you out of the blue with a "come on let's go!!" and grabbed your facemask for a headbutt.
I don't know when you were in high school but I'm guessing that concussions weren't yet a major topic of discussion. Heck, even the ubiquitous congratulatory head slap is a dumb thing to do. I've seen players dazed by an unexpected rap upside the head by a teammate.
LOL. I haven't worn a football helmet since the 80's but I do recall those congratulatory head slap leaving you with a dizzy feeling and thinking "Deacon Jones would've done that the whole game!"
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