The Falcons likely lost linebacker Jesse Tuggle for the season. On Sunday, five quarterbacks were knocked out of games with injuries ranging from broken bones to concussions. From the stands or the press box, an NFL game takes on an almost video game-like quality. The distance and relative size and speed of the combatants anesthetizes the violence. You can't hear the force or cacophony of the collisions.
Athletes now are so much bigger and faster.
Therefore, there's so much more momentum during collisions. You're vulnerable in areas such as your neck, spine and knees. At the same time, we are professionals. We chose to do this. Every Sunday you know you are taking a chance.