The football field should not be a potential death trap.
It’s a sobering message from a Concordia University quarterback who recently took a controversial hit on the field.
The player immediately took to Facebook, posting an online video that is raising questions about the safety of the sport.
“What really pains me is that my parents should not have to watch my game and worry about me dying on the football field,” Trenton Miller said in the video.
The hit he’s referring to happened last Sunday during a game against Laval University.
READ MORE: University athletes with concussions still show changes in the brain after medical clearance to play
It was quick, rough and hard to watch.
Even harder to take for Miller.
He suffered a concussion after the hit.
But according to the RSEQ, Quebec’s governing body of university football, the hit was legal.
“It is a clean hit. The video states it’s a legal, clean hit shoulder to shoulder,” said the RSEQ‘s director, Stephane Boudreau.
It was one of two controversial hits during the game.
The second involved Concordia receiver James Tyrell.
No penalties were given to either Laval University player.
Miller was so upset he took to Facebook, urging for a larger conversation on safety in football.
WATCH BELOW: Trenton Miller’s Facebook post
“I plead with these organizations that now is the time to really take player safety seriously,” Miller said in the video.
Concordia University complained to the RSEQ.
It agreed the hit against Tyrell was unnecessarily rough.
The Laval player later received a one-game suspension.
On Miller’s hit, they said new footage indicated the hit was legal, which surprised some observers.
“I don’t think it’s OK at all for me. It was a vicious hit, a blindside hit, there is no way Miller would be able to protect himself in that instance,” Global Montreal’s sports analyst Brian Wilde said.
The incident has gone viral on Facebook.
With concussions in football becoming an increasing concern, many say changes in the sport are necessary.
READ MORE: Contact sports can alter the brains of even young, healthy athletes: study
Some critics say it’s time Quebec follow the lead of the United States’ university football association which has tougher above-the-shoulder rules.
“I would like to see the RSEQ take this a lot more seriously than they have. I would like them to be a leader,” Wilde added.
Tim Fleizher played for 10 years in the Canadian Football League.
He says more discussion needs to be had on the dangers of concussions.
“I think the rules and the way the game is played is trying to catch up with the science and the science is evolving quite rapidly and the rules need to evolve as well,” Fleizher said.
The RSEQ says player safety is its top priority and insists the decision it made is the right one in the Miller case.
Officials do say, however, they understand concussions are an evolving issue in their sport and they plan on meeting once the season is over in November to discuss if any safety changes are necessary.
Miller reacts to RSEQ’s decision
On Friday afternoon, Miller held a news conference to address the RSEQ’s decision.
Although the ruling is not in his favour, he sees it as a positive step forward in the conversation about how the league handles hits to the head and player safety.
“I just think it’s awesome that they took the time to really consider player safety,” Miller said.
“I think they kind of understand now where they have to go in the future with it and I think everyone’s on board.”
The quarterback says he understand the league’s ruling but admitted the issue lies in the rule itself.
“I look at the rule that’s in place and it’s something that’s even hard for the refs to know what intent is,” Miller explained.
“I think just make it more of a black-and-white issue where if a player gets hit in the head, then there should be a flag or maybe possibly a video review or suspension.”
Miller says he will continue to speak out on this issue and possibly even look into partnering up with associations that advocate for player safety.
As for Saturday’s game against Sherbrooke University, he wouldn’t comment on whether he’s playing or not.
READ MORE: New concussion protocol advises against long periods of rest
He says he’s feeling much better and healing every day.
Concordia University has three days to appeal the ruling.
They say they’re discussing what step to take.
-With files from Amanda Jellowicki and Gloria Henriquez
Comments