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SEC News: Conference plans to adopt NCAA practice recommendations for football

By Eric Quackenbush

Nov 19, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Markell Utsey (49) is helped off of the field during the second quarter against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Markell Utsey (49) is helped off of the field during the second quarter against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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On Friday, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) will begin implementation of new safety regulations regarding player safety, as set forth by the NCAA.

Football is a high-impact sport, but we all love the hard hits, the fast wide receivers, shifty running backs, trick plays, and all the nuances in between. It is also a dangerous sport, and with that come the ethical responsibilities of ensuring player safety.

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Earlier today, the SEC announced that it will begin implementing new safety standards on player safety, as handed down by the NCAA.

The NCAA Sports Science Institute provided limits in regard to practices held during spring training, preseason, and the regular season.

Included in its recommendation, is reducing live-contact practices during the preseason and regular season.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey favors the proposed recommendations, stating that implementing the policy will offer further support to previously established health and safety measures.

"We believe these measures will enhance the health and safety procedures SEC universities have already established to support their football programs."

The NCAA-SSI previously voted that schools on a national scale should be restricted from conducting multiple practices per day in the preseason, and cut “two-a-days” for student athletes.

Sankey stated that the safety and well-being of all student-athletes will always take priority for the SEC and its member institutions.

"Student-athlete well-being will always be a priority for SEC member institutions and, as the NCAA Sports Science Institute has developed and provided guidance on the structure for football practice, everyone associated with this great sport must continue to adapt to keep the game safe while played at the highest competitive level."

Schools will be allowed to begin practicing for the season one week earlier than usual, in order to make-up for the lost second practice. It will be each member institution’s responsibility to enforce and adhere to the recommendations.

While many may look upon this new-found policy as a further weakening of the sport, we should try to keep in context, that even though “they signed-up for this,” there’s no reason that anyone should suffer life changing consequences, including death, from playing a sport.

While these precautions may not end all risks inherent with such a high-impact sport, it will at least aid in reducing some of its unnecessary dangers.

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