We already know that NFL players are more concerned about hits they take to the lower part of the body than to the upper body. Their ability to make a career of football is impacted a great deal due to low hits to the knee and ankle regions.
Though, we’re also pretty sure most NFL players have not gone to the lengths of future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald.
According to Detroit Lions safety Glover Quin, the Arizona Cardinals receiver is known for asking defensive players to avoid hitting him low. In fact, Quin clams that Fitzgerald has offered to pay said players’ fines should they be docked by the NFL for a hit to the head.
Glover Quin said Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald sometimes tells opposing DBs to hit him high instead of low & he'll pay their fine if they do
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) September 6, 2017
This is just the latest example of an NFL that has continued to put its players in less-than-stellar situations on the field. The league has faced pushback from outside forces for its previous handling of brain-related trauma, primarily Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
With that said, the league’s rules have led to defenders going lower on tackles. In turn, that’s also led to an uptick in serious lower body injuries, including torn ACL’s.
The good news here is that Fitzgerald has remained healthy throughout his 13-year NFL career, missing a combined eight games. How much that has cost him in the pocket book remains to be seen.
Fitzgerald and his Cardinals take on Quin’s Lions team this upcoming Sunday. We’ll definitely be watching to see if Detroit’s safety is penalized for a hit to the head in this one.