Phil Parker concerned about the future of football
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Phil Parker and Bob Sanders both played college football at the right time to fit their violent playing styles.
Parker was a standout defensive back for Michigan State in the mid-1980s, while Sanders was a star safety for Iowa from 2000-03.
They both were known for making bone-crushing tackles, which in their time was widely celebrated, but not anymore.
The heightened aware about concussions has changed the way the game is played and the way it is officiated.
Iowa linebacker Josey Jewell missed most of the season opener against Miami of Iowa after being disqualified for targeting and was called for targeting again this past Saturday against Wisconsin. However, the officials reviewed the hit and ruled that Jewell didn’t violate the targeting rule.
Parker told reporters on Wednesday that he would’ve been tossed from most of his college games if there was a targeting rule during his playing days. He also said the same about Sanders, whose hits are now a huge part of his Hawkeye legacy.
“It’s different. It’s totally different,” said Parker, who is in his fifth season as the Iowa defensive coordinator and 18th season overall on the Iowa staff. “I wouldn’t be able to play the game. But you take those choices. And I understand about the concussion thing, you know what I mean. I had many concussions, so I understand that. But that was the risk that I took, too, because I loved the game of football. So it’s the same with anybody else on there. You’re taking the risk going out there and that’s what you’re doing, you know it. You know the risk.
“The thing is, everybody says they know the risks. But nobody really knows what it’s like to suffer head injuries until they do. Sometimes they don’t know until decades later, and it’s pretty awful. I’d rather have football continually tinker with rules with a nod to player safety. If it means the defense is at a disadvantage, well, that applies for both teams.”
Parker expressed concerns about the future of football.
“You know, it’s really hard, because the game of football has really changed,” Parker said. “And it’s going to come pretty soon to flag football, I think, at times. And it’s a shame. It’s kind of going away. And hopefully, I won’t be around by that time. Some guys are really trying to protect guys. But some good hits are good hits. And the game is a violent game. We all know it before we get here. As soon as we walk on and get into the field, everybody knows that we’re playing tackle football."
Parker said the circumstances have changed to where now defensive players worry about making illegal hits when before receivers used to worry about getting hit.
“And as soon as you tell me there’s a defenseless player on the field, how come he doesn’t know that we’re playing the game of football?” Parker said. “We’re allowing receivers downfield to catch balls, uncontested, getting hit. If you blow on them, touch them, you’re going to get a flag. Anything that you do to anybody. You have to be aware, you have to be alert. You don’t walk down the street in Chicago without understanding that there’s cars going down there, that it’s dangerous on the highway, isn’t it? Have you ever been to Chicago at 3 o’clock, 4 o’clock, 5 o’clock on a Friday? That’s dangerous, right?
"The same thing with football. Football is a violent game. And until guys understand that you’re going to take a hit, then it might not with all these points and these guys catching all the balls thinking “Hey, you guys can’t hit me. I can catch the ball free.’ A little bit different. Before the guys used to say ‘Boy, I’m going to back off that, let the receiver do it.’ Now it’s the defensive guys backing off of it. It’s a violent game, everybody knows it. They sign up for it. I wish everybody would kind of look over that."
Parker reiterated throughout his rant that he understands the need for heightened awareness, but he believes that defensive players are now at a competitive disadvantage.
“Believe me, I don’t want to get these guys hurt and injured,” he said. “But they might have some responsibility that you might get hit, because you are playing football. That’s the concern for me.”