Greg Newman Athletic Story

[Chasqui]

The Athletic just posted this story about Greg Newman. He was on our DL the year we won the sugar bowl. Often forgotten but a major impact player for us. Definitely a sad story that enlightens us a little more into his life and passing and what players deal with after playing ball and the potential risk for CTE.

I guess I bring it to all of us for the question, Do we think former teams or universities have a duty to help out these players? I know there is always a limit on sustaining people but something like this feels like maybe a school like the University of Utah could/should have done something more. Especially with the world class health resources it has.
Greg Newman

[Rick]

I wish the U would. Greg was one of the most undersized D’tackles ever. He survived, even excelled, by playing with extreme effort and throwing his body around. Think about the collisions this man created and suffered. Brutal.

These stories always set me off a little. I don’t understand why football at every level hasn’t adopted rugby-style tackling. Obviously collisions at the line of scrimmage are separate, but a tackling change would make a significant difference. Our own Utes won’t move to rugby-style. Kyle doesn’t teach using the helmet as a weapon but he does want the head up and erect often meaning it’s a huge part of the force tackling an opponent. Drives me nuts. Inevitably, it does mean a player will lead with the helmet at times.

[Author]

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