Latest / Unicorn Football Talk / State of the NFL: Part 2b
Transcript
- Emily: Hi, this is Emily from Unicorn Football Talk. We recorded part two of our State of the NFL series as one episode, but it ran a little long, so we split it up, and today you will get the second half, which focuses on safety. Also, heads up: the audio quality on this one wasn't perfect. Future episodes should be sounding better. thank you for listening. Hilary: about rules and now we're going to talk about safety. Sounds great. Emily Schmidt: about rules and now we're going to talk about safety. Sounds great. Emily: Okay, let's start with a quick history lesson. We talked about this when we talked about rules. The game wasn't safe in the early days, which is an understatement. There were a number of deaths and serious injuries in the early 1900s. The concept of safety just wasn't a thing, but it did slowly creep into the game and was a multi-decade mindset change. for example. The evolution of the helmet from no helmet to leather caps to plastic, which was finally mandated, wearing the plastic helmets was finally mandated in 1949. And then the introduction of the face mask in 1955. And then better and better tech evolving over the years to absorb hits and they're still evolving helmets today. and penalties and rules were introduced for safety, like The face mask, you can't grab somebody by the face mask and pull them down, which is a great safety improvement. Hilary: That is a good one. And also right. You can't use your helmet anymore to spear. yeah, you can't use the top of your helmet and like, Emily Schmidt: That is a good one. And also right. You can't use your helmet anymore to spear. yeah, you can't use the top of your helmet and like, Hilary: Spear and like go for somebody. Okay. Okay. That's probably other nuances that I don't understand but that's all good all good I think we're all aligned. Those are good things Emily Schmidt: Spear and like go for somebody. Okay. Okay. That's probably other nuances that I don't understand but that's all good all good I think we're all aligned. Those are good things Emily: So then by the eighties and nineties, players were much bigger and stronger than they were in the early days. Hilary: So there was more risk to injury and collisions. And there were more rules instituted around defenseless receivers and QB hits. things we've talked about. And then 2000 onwards, the big focus was around concussions. Emily Schmidt: So there was more risk to injury and collisions. And there were more rules instituted around defenseless receivers and QB hits. So things we've talked about. And then 2000 onwards, the big focus was around concussions. Hilary: and CTE the NFL was forced to reckon with the effects of CTA and traumatic brain injury from the collisions. sure. They were forced to do something. Maybe they maybe they Emily Schmidt: and CTE the NFL was forced to reckon with the effects of CTA and traumatic brain injury from the collisions. sure. They were forced to do something. Maybe they maybe they Hilary: you don't get away with that. I mean, think there's been some examples of some people where maybe they weren't pulled aside when they should have been, but for the most part. Right. They've got that independent evaluator on the side of the field now. And there's protocols before the players can come back. And any idea what the average time lost to a concussion is? Couple of weeks. Emily Schmidt: you don't get away with that. I mean, think there's been some examples of some people where maybe they weren't pulled aside when they should have been, but for the most part. Right. They've got that independent evaluator on the side of the field now. And there's protocols before the players can come back. And any idea what the average time lost to a concussion is? Couple of weeks. Hilary: Concussion average weeks missed is one. Okay. If it's longer than that, it was probably a pretty bad one. Right. Right. I think we're all like happy that, they're doing something about that and they're creating more rules to hopefully make it so that less concussions happen. You've seen less concussions on. Emily Schmidt: Concussion average weeks missed is one. Okay. If it's longer than that, it was probably a pretty bad one. Right. Right. I think we're all like happy that, they're doing something about that and they're creating more rules to hopefully make it so that less concussions happen. You've seen less concussions on. Hilary: the padding, what it's made of, the size of it, the placement of it, the jerseys we know more medically now about how to tape people up. We know how to develop better recovery strategies for injuries. All of those things have all been, I think, pretty positive in terms of the evolution of the game. Yep, agreed. Emily Schmidt: the padding, what it's made of, the size of it, the placement of it, the jerseys we know more medically now about how to tape people up. We know how to develop better recovery strategies for injuries. All of those things have all been, I think, pretty positive in terms of the evolution of the game. Yep, agreed. Hilary: So now we're going to talk about the year in review for safety. This is a state of the NFL. So how did we do in 2025 So first I'm just going to ask, do you know what the most common injury is? Emily Schmidt: So now we're going to talk about the year in review for safety. This is a state of the NFL. So how did we do in 2025 So first I'm just going to ask, do you know what the most common injury is? Hilary: wow. Okay. There's just a lot of different types of injuries. Yeah, I would think that concussions is probably up there and then I would think maybe like something happened to do seems like there's always a lot of like knees and ankles but I'm not sure. Ankle sprain is number one. were 306 of them last year and the average week's missed is two. Emily Schmidt: wow. Okay. There's just a lot of different types of injuries. Yeah, I would think that concussions is probably up there and then I would think maybe like something happened to do seems like there's always a lot of like knees and ankles but I'm not sure. Ankle sprain is number one. were 306 of them last year and the average week's missed is two. Hilary: Okay, so that's your high ankle sprain, Yeah, so then hamstring strains number two. Okay, okay. 302 of those two weeks average miss and then concussions but... Emily Schmidt: Okay, so that's your high ankle sprain, Yeah, so then hamstring strains number two. Okay, okay. 302 of those two weeks average miss and then concussions but... Hilary: When you said you thought concussions would be up there high, I assumed it wouldn't be, and I was a little surprised. I don't know why, I just thought they'd been putting such a focus on it, but it's such a big thing. So 226, I just don't like to hear that. I know it's just bad to get a concussion, but I mean, they're doing what they can. Emily Schmidt: When you said you thought concussions would be up there high, I assumed it wouldn't be, and I was a little surprised. I don't know why, I just thought they'd been putting such a focus on it, but it's such a big thing. So 226, I just don't like to hear that. I know it's just bad to get a concussion, but I mean, they're doing what they can. Hilary: The worst injury for average weeks missed is an ACL tear. Oh, that's what 15, 16 or plus weeks. That's a season ender. They average 11, is like, I feel it should be longer. Emily Schmidt: The worst injury for average weeks missed is an ACL tear. Oh, that's what 15, 16 or plus weeks. That's a season ender. They average 11, is like, I feel it should be longer. Hilary: yeah, there's injuries every year. That was just kind like a little snapshot. But so the NFL puts out their own summary, year in review summary. So I took the summary straight from there. They've got an NFL health and safety site. If you want to go deep dive into player health and safety, it's interesting site. They say that injury rates Emily Schmidt: yeah, there's injuries every year. That was just kind like a little snapshot. But so the NFL puts out their own summary, year in review summary. So I took the summary straight from there. They've got an NFL health and safety site. If you want to go deep dive into player health and safety, it's interesting site. They say that injury rates Hilary: remained steady or continuing the trend of significant decline earlier in the decade. I did not tie the decline back to a certain rule change or anything specific but Emily Schmidt: remained steady or continuing the trend of significant decline earlier in the decade. I did not tie the decline back to a certain rule change or anything specific but Hilary: concussions on kickoffs, which has been a focus, increased, from eight the year before to 35 last year, but there were more plays, so they made a change last year that encouraged more actual runbacks. So I don't know if you remember that, from two years ago, I do remember that, right, so. Emily Schmidt: concussions on kickoffs, which has been a focus, increased, from eight the year before to 35 last year, but there were more plays, so they made a change last year that encouraged more actual runbacks. So I don't know if you remember that, from two years ago, I do remember that, right, so. Hilary: If you account for that, if you adjust for that, is it about the same statistically? Emily Schmidt: If you account for that, if you adjust for that, is it about the same statistically? Yes, the rate is the same, which is lower than when the old kickoff format was around. Hilary: ACLs reaches seven year low. said mostly due to reduction non-contact injuries, meaning relating to cutting or change of direction. I don't know why that would be, but it's interesting. there's only two other points that they called out. Concussion. There was a record 538 in-game evaluations and 26 medical timeouts. So Emily Schmidt: ACLs reaches seven year low. said mostly due to reduction non-contact injuries, meaning relating to cutting or change of direction. I don't know why that would be, but it's interesting. there's only two other points that they called out. Concussion. There was a record 538 in-game evaluations and 26 medical timeouts. So Hilary: they're stopping play and they're evaluating players. And I personally, I don't know about you. I think that's great. I think it's great. I didn't notice as a fan watching the game. it wasn't noticeable. Like, we're stopping the play again. know, so right. Whatever they're doing is not disrupting it. In my opinion, of course, there's always timeouts and commercials. And this seems like a worthy reason to stop play. Emily Schmidt: they're stopping play and they're evaluating players. And I personally, I don't know about you. I think that's great. I think it's great. I didn't notice as a fan watching the game. it wasn't noticeable. Like, we're stopping the play again. know, so right. Whatever they're doing is not disrupting it. In my opinion, of course, there's always timeouts and commercials. And this seems like a worthy reason to stop play. Hilary: 98 % of players are now wearing top performing helmets. So they do some lab testing annually to determine which helmets are the best. OK, I think they're five or six to choose from, think, right? So 98 % of them are wearing those now. Emily Schmidt: 98 % of players are now wearing top performing helmets. So they do some lab testing annually to determine which helmets are the best. OK, I think they're five or six to choose from, think, right? So 98 % of them are wearing those now. Hilary: And the last one, I don't think we're just going to breeze through, Hillary. It's about plane surfaces. boy. OK. Emily Schmidt: And the last one, I don't think we're just going to breeze through, Hillary. It's about plane surfaces. boy. OK. Hilary: so get this this is straight from the nfl they say on their own site there is no statistical difference Emily Schmidt: so get this this is straight from the nfl they say on their own site there is no statistical difference Hilary: between turf and grass because they qualify it by saying there's no difference on time loss. This is their exact words. Sorry for it being wording time loss, non direct contact injuries. So cutting, the ones we were talking about earlier, Emily Schmidt: between turf and grass because they qualify it by saying there's no difference on time loss. This is their exact words. Sorry for it being wording time loss, non direct contact injuries. So cutting, the ones we were talking about earlier, Hilary: or change in direction in cutting when you're just not being hit. So to them, because it's the same injury rate for those, then the surface is the same. Wow. OK. Just pass the sniff test to you. No, I'm ready to dig into this one. Me too, because If I just read that and moved on, I'd be like, that's interesting. But I know we both dove more into that. Emily Schmidt: or change in direction in cutting when you're just not being hit. So to them, because it's the same injury rate for those, then the surface is the same. Wow. OK. Just pass the sniff test to you. No, I'm ready to dig into this one. Me too, because If I just read that and moved on, I'd be like, that's interesting. But I know we both dove more into that. Hilary: I found a study from the National Institute of Health and they're like, no, that's not true. They're not Okay, let's hear it. Let's hear your stats and then I got some more words on this one. Okay, I won't take too long because I want to hear from you. But the TLDR of this study was that players are more likely to get injured on an artificial surface. Emily Schmidt: I found a study from the National Institute of Health and they're like, no, that's not true. They're not Okay, let's hear it. Let's hear your stats and then I got some more words on this one. Okay, I won't take too long because I want to hear from you. But the TLDR of this study was that players are more likely to get injured on an artificial surface. Hilary: And for knee injuries, they occurred a 32 % higher rate. And the season ending severity is higher for those injuries. So I don't want to just roll through too many stats here. in general, they're saying, no, it's worse. I did some digging on this too. And I do want to throw a few more stats out here. Emily Schmidt: And for knee injuries, they occurred a 32 % higher rate. And the season ending severity is higher for those injuries. So I don't want to just roll through too many stats here. in general, they're saying, no, it's worse. I did some digging on this too. And I do want to throw a few more stats out here. Hilary: And my stats are from the recently released NFLPA player survey from 2025. Those results came out in May. And one of the questions about turf versus grass, 93 % of players listed that artificial turf was an impediment to their career. Emily Schmidt: And my stats are from the recently released NFLPA player survey from 2025. Those results came out in May. And one of the questions about turf versus grass, 93 % of players listed that artificial turf was an impediment to their career. Hilary: And 91 % stated that they experienced increased soreness and fatigue and injuries after playing on the turf Okay. So I don't know how nerdy and deep you want to go here, but right now we've got 14 stadiums on real grass. Emily Schmidt: And 91 % stated that they experienced increased soreness and fatigue and injuries after playing on the turf Okay. So I don't know how nerdy and deep you want to go here, but right now we've got 14 stadiums on real grass. Hilary: 14 stadiums on one of a variety of brands of artificial turf and two teams which I really want to talk about this a little bit more and are on a hybrid mix of natural grass mixed with artificial filaments Which is kind of a more cutting-edge technique That's the Packers and the Eagles, okay, and we're gonna talk I'm gonna I want to talk about that a little bit and it that is a very very common Emily Schmidt: 14 stadiums on one of a variety of brands of artificial turf and two teams which I really want to talk about this a little bit more and are on a hybrid mix of natural grass mixed with artificial filaments Which is kind of a more cutting-edge technique That's the Packers and the Eagles, okay, and we're gonna talk I'm gonna I want to talk about that a little bit and it that is a very very common Hilary: surface used on soccer pitches, rugby pitches, and all kinds of playing fields throughout Europe. Not much of it here yet. Emily Schmidt: surface used on soccer pitches, rugby pitches, and all kinds of playing fields throughout Europe. Not much of it here yet. Hilary: And I do want to mention that too that I know my numbers don't come out quite right for the number of stadiums to teams. It's because the Giants Jets share and the Chargers Rams share. OK. So if you want to get a really, really nerdy on this, the history of turf, it was invented in 1965 by Monsanto and was originally called Chemgrass. Emily Schmidt: And I do want to mention that too that I know my numbers don't come out quite right for the number of stadiums to teams. It's because the Giants Jets share and the Chargers Rams share. OK. So if you want to get a really, really nerdy on this, the history of turf, it was invented in 1965 by Monsanto and was originally called Chemgrass. Hilary: It was invented in Houston for use by the Houston Astros in the Astrodome for baseball in 1965. And then it was rebranded, it was successful, and it was rebranded as AstroTurf. Right? So the first NFL game was in 1968 with the Houston Oilers, who at that time played in the Astrodome and the Kansas City Chiefs. Emily Schmidt: It was invented in Houston for use by the Houston Astros in the Astrodome for baseball in 1965. And then it was rebranded, it was successful, and it was rebranded as AstroTurf. Right? So the first NFL game was in 1968 with the Houston Oilers, who at that time played in the Astrodome and the Kansas City Chiefs. Hilary: And AstroTurf is just a brand name for the artificial grass filament. It's one of many brands now. It was one of the first ones, but it's kind of like saying Kleenex when really you mean tissues or whatever, right? So going forward, I'm not going to call it AstroTurf. I'm going to call it JustTurf or monofilament artificial surface or whatever you want to call it. Emily Schmidt: And AstroTurf is just a brand name for the artificial grass filament. It's one of many brands now. It was one of the first ones, but it's kind of like saying Kleenex when really you mean tissues or whatever, right? So going forward, I'm not going to call it AstroTurf. I'm going to call it JustTurf or monofilament artificial surface or whatever you want to call it. Hilary: Right now, all of the teams who are playing on an artificial surface are playing on a monofilament surface, which is where there are little, teeny, artificial, plasticky, grass-like filaments that are woven onto a mesh backing. And then there's a fill put in there to make those filaments stand up straight to try and emulate. Emily Schmidt: Right now, all of the teams who are playing on an artificial surface are playing on a monofilament surface, which is where there are little, teeny, artificial, plasticky, grass-like filaments that are woven onto a mesh backing. And then there's a fill put in there to make those filaments stand up straight to try and emulate. Hilary: grass and then that is installed over depending on the stadium, drainage tile and sand and a whole bunch of stuff All of that is eventually over what would be the concrete flooring of the stadium, which is how you can pull that all up and have a rock concert the next day and the monster truck dirt thing three days later and then have the astroturf back. So Emily Schmidt: grass and then that is installed over depending on the stadium, drainage tile and sand and a whole bunch of stuff All of that is eventually over what would be the concrete flooring of the stadium, which is how you can pull that all up and have a rock concert the next day and the monster truck dirt thing three days later and then have the astroturf back. So Hilary: if there is any. Emily Schmidt: if there is any. Hilary: Positive to it. I suppose you could argue that in multi-use stadiums It's easier to navigate for multiple events with the artificial surface than if you had real grass in there Okay, so the 14 stadiums with real grass they're growing to a couple different kinds of grass and I was really surprised to learn that the argument that Emily Schmidt: Positive to it. I suppose you could argue that in multi-use stadiums It's easier to navigate for multiple events with the artificial surface than if you had real grass in there Okay, so the 14 stadiums with real grass they're growing to a couple different kinds of grass and I was really surprised to learn that the argument that Hilary: cold weather stadiums can't have grass. That doesn't hold up. Soldier Field has grass. Baltimore is playing on grass. Cleveland is playing on grass. that doesn't hold water, right? Emily Schmidt: cold weather stadiums can't have grass. That doesn't hold up. Soldier Field has grass. Baltimore is playing on grass. Cleveland is playing on grass. that doesn't hold water, right? Hilary: And you know, you can make the argument, okay, the well, grass doesn't grow in the dome. But guess what? Arizona figured it out. They roll the grass out into the parking lot and grow it in the parking lot and roll it back into their facility. So I'm not buying the argument. About. Emily Schmidt: And you know, you can make the argument, okay, the well, grass doesn't grow in the dome. But guess what? Arizona figured it out. They roll the grass out into the parking lot and grow it in the parking lot and roll it back into their facility. So I'm not buying the argument. About. Hilary: It can't be grass because grass won't grow here. The argument is money. Right. So the NFL Players Association has been lobbying for the banning of artificial turf for multiple years now. And they just for whatever reason, can't seem to get Emily Schmidt: It can't be grass because grass won't grow here. The argument is money. Right. So the NFL Players Association has been lobbying for the banning of artificial turf for multiple years now. And they just for whatever reason, can't seem to get Hilary: enough traction from a safety standpoint to really force the issue. Yeah. And I heard, I've been reading, I feel like this topic has been coming up again. It's always been a topic. Yeah. Some blogs about this and some people are thinking that the NFLPA might only get it if they agree to add the 18th game to the schedule. Emily Schmidt: enough traction from a safety standpoint to really force the issue. Yeah. And I heard, I've been reading, I feel like this topic has been coming up again. It's always been a topic. Yeah. Some blogs about this and some people are thinking that the NFLPA might only get it if they agree to add the 18th game to the schedule. Hilary: Oh, interesting. just kind of grosses me out. Yeah. Yeah. be honest, because this is a safety issue. Right. Right. So they're unwilling to invest the money. I'm going to throw one more stat at you. And this is going back again to that recent player survey. Out of the 32 teams, 12 teams ranked their Emily Schmidt: Oh, interesting. just kind of grosses me out. Yeah. Yeah. be honest, because this is a safety issue. Right. Right. So they're unwilling to invest the money. I'm going to throw one more stat at you. And this is going back again to that recent player survey. Out of the 32 teams, 12 teams ranked their Hilary: home field playing surface with a C minus or worse. Of those 12 teams, 10 of them are turf teams. So they don't like it. They don't like it. They don't like their home field. This is just a, all I can think is it's a money thing. That's all I can think too. Emily Schmidt: home field playing surface with a C minus or worse. Of those 12 teams, 10 of them are turf teams. So they don't like it. They don't like it. They don't like their home field. This is just a, all I can think is it's a money thing. That's all I can think too. Hilary: And then I'm going to throw one more interesting thought at you. And that is that the World Cup played in the US in June across multiple stadiums that are also NFL stadiums requires grass. And they're doing it. And they're doing it. So to name a few, SoFi, Lumenfield, Atlanta, AT &T Stadium down in Dallas. I think there are Emily Schmidt: And then I'm going to throw one more interesting thought at you. And that is that the World Cup played in the US in June across multiple stadiums that are also NFL stadiums requires grass. And they're doing it. And they're doing it. So to name a few, SoFi, Lumenfield, Atlanta, AT &T Stadium down in Dallas. I think there are Hilary: Seven stadiums representing nine teams are going to have to make that change. Yeah, for the World Cup. For the World Cup. for their own sport. Correct. Well, OK, some of some of those, know, like Seattle does play soccer in Lumen Field. So but in general, the stadium exists for football and they won't do it. Correct. Emily Schmidt: Seven stadiums representing nine teams are going to have to make that change. Yeah, for the World Cup. For the World Cup. for their own sport. Correct. Well, OK, some of some of those, know, like Seattle does play soccer in Lumen Field. So but in general, the stadium exists for football and they won't do it. Correct. Hilary: So I think I, wow, this is a big yellow card for me for the owners on this one. My problem, is that they just won't agree. They won't concede that it's not a safe. Right. Like if you're gonna just say it's for money, then just say it's for money. Emily Schmidt: So I think I, wow, this is a big yellow card for me for the owners on this one. My problem, is that they just won't agree. They won't concede that it's not a safe. Right. Like if you're gonna just say it's for money, then just say it's for money. Hilary: I don't know, this one smells bad to me. Me too. Emily Schmidt: I don't know, this one smells bad to me. Me too. then anything else before we move on? Hilary: then anything else before we move on? Emily Schmidt: Yeah, I guess one last thought is maybe there is a hybrid type solution. The Eagles and the Packers, as I mentioned before, are using a hybrid mix made by a company Grassmaster. And what they do is they plant a grass field. Hilary: Yeah, I guess one last thought is maybe there is a hybrid type solution. The Eagles and the Packers, as I mentioned before, are using a hybrid mix made by a company Grassmaster. And what they do is they plant a grass field. Emily Schmidt: then they come back through and they inject into the grass field the artificial filaments of the turf. And then as the grass roots grow and stuff, they grow around those filaments and anchor those filaments into the surface. And so it gives better durability to the grass for the playing surface. But it also has a more Hilary: then they come back through and they inject into the grass field the artificial filaments of the turf. And then as the grass roots grow and stuff, they grow around those filaments and anchor those filaments into the surface. And so it gives better durability to the grass for the playing surface. But it also has a more Emily Schmidt: lifelike texture then of the real grass and they do use that throughout Europe on soccer pitches and rugby fields and other multiple playing surfaces. So maybe that's the future for now if we can't agree on let's just grow grass. Do know if do players like those fields? I could not find a lot of statistics about it because it's such a small use. Hilary: lifelike texture then of the real grass and they do use that throughout Europe on soccer pitches and rugby fields and other multiple playing surfaces. So maybe that's the future for now if we can't agree on let's just grow grass. Do know if do players like those fields? I could not find a lot of statistics about it because it's such a small use. Emily Schmidt: come up with that. guess we could look at see how the Eagles and Packers rated their fields. But at least they're looking for other options. Yeah. Yeah. I think there's got to be something out there, and I think there's definitely room for improvement. Hilary: come up with that. guess we could look at see how the Eagles and Packers rated their fields. But at least they're looking for other options. Yeah. Yeah. I think there's got to be something out there, and I think there's definitely room for improvement. Emily Schmidt: the amount of hitting that can happen in practices. The only reason I bring this up is that it sounds like a good idea because it's to limit injuries, it's for player safety. But I've heard critics, including some coaches, argue that it has led to undertraining where muscles and tendons aren't adequately conditioned for game day intensity. I don't have data to back it up. I'm just bringing up the fact that this has been a debate I've heard on sports radio for a couple of Hilary: the amount of hitting that can happen in practices. The only reason I bring this up is that it sounds like a good idea because it's to limit injuries, it's for player safety. But I've heard critics, including some coaches, argue that it has led to undertraining where muscles and tendons aren't adequately conditioned for game day intensity. I don't have data to back it up. I'm just bringing up the fact that this has been a debate I've heard on sports radio for a couple of Emily Schmidt: now. So some people theorize that there's more soft tissue injuries like hamstring, groin, and calf strains because of the fact that people aren't quite prepared for games like they used to. Okay so maybe something for us to look into for future State of the NFL episodes. the only other thing I want to point out is Guardian Caps has been something that was introduced Hilary: now. So some people theorize that there's more soft tissue injuries like hamstring, groin, and calf strains because of the fact that people aren't quite prepared for games like they used to. Okay so maybe something for us to look into for future State of the NFL episodes. the only other thing I want to point out is Guardian Caps has been something that was introduced Emily Schmidt: few years ago That's the large soft shell covering that they wear over the helmet at practice, right? Hilary: few years ago That's the large soft shell covering that they wear over the helmet at practice, right? Emily: Yeah. So I wanted to highlight this. It's something good to talk about after the turf convo. the objective of the cap is to reduce the impact of a hit to the head, hopefully protecting players from CTE and concussion risk. It decreases the impact of a hit by about 12%. And if both players are wearing it, it will decrease the impact by about. 20%. They introduced this cap in 2022 for practices for some position groups. And now most players have to wear them in practices. And they also give players the option of wearing them during games, but very few players choose to wear them during games. Hilary: Okay. Why do you think that is? Just the visual appearance or do you think it's extra weight on your head or they feel like it's not streamlined enough to Emily Schmidt: Okay. Why do you think that is? Just the visual appearance or do you think it's extra weight on your head or they feel like it's not streamlined enough to Hilary: be an interesting thing to ask a player if we ever get the opportunity. But they've done so much in helmets, that there are some really good quality helmets out there that hopefully effectively do the same thing without them looking kind of weird. OK, OK. I'm assuming it's what less than 10 % of the players that wear them or I hardly even see one in a game. So maybe it's even less than that. 23 players wore it in 2025. Emily Schmidt: be an interesting thing to ask a player if we ever get the opportunity. But they've done so much in helmets, that there are some really good quality helmets out there that hopefully effectively do the same thing without them looking kind of weird. OK, OK. I'm assuming it's what less than 10 % of the players that wear them or I hardly even see one in a game. So maybe it's even less than that. 23 players wore it in 2025. Hilary: Wow. Okay. Out of 1696 players. Okay. That's a really low percentage. Okay. So not a lot of people, Emily Schmidt: Wow. Okay. Out of 1696 players. Okay. That's a really low percentage. Okay. So not a lot of people, Emily: but they have unveiled a sleeker version for twenty twenty six. So it will be interesting to see if numbers go up after next year. Hilary: All right, so I think we can move on to our ratings. Okay. Emily Schmidt: All right, so I think we can move on to our ratings. Okay. Emily: I think the owners would rate themselves green. I mean, they kind of did because we reviewed the NFL safety report. We talked about their findings and they probably feel pretty good. So yeah, I think they're green. From the players perspective. Emily Schmidt: I assume they appreciate some of the efforts being made around concussion protocol and helmets, but I think the turf discussion we just had might make it a yellow rating. They made their opinions known on the scorecard results you mentioned. What do you think? Hilary: But you know, I don't know. think that that would come down maybe to what an individual's home team or home stadium surface is using our home team as the example. They've got all their home games on turf plus however many they play on the road on turf. So probably three quarters of their season games, right? Yeah. Whereas somebody who's home field is grass, then maybe it's only half or Emily Schmidt: But you know, I don't know. think that that would come down maybe to what an individual's home team or home stadium surface is using our home team as the example. They've got all their home games on turf plus however many they play on the road on turf. So probably three quarters of their season games, right? Yeah. Whereas somebody who's home field is grass, then maybe it's only half or Hilary: less depending on who your opponents are so there's a wide variety there of what the player exposure is so we can't decide can we yellow or green all right yellow man yeah this is a big topic for this is big topic yeah for me from fan perspective Emily Schmidt: less depending on who your opponents are so there's a wide variety there of what the player exposure is so we can't decide can we yellow or green all right yellow man yeah this is a big topic for this is a big topic yeah for me from fan perspective Hilary: There hasn't been anything they've done in the name of safety that I think has really taken away From the game except for maybe the onside kick conversation, which we have a different time Emily Schmidt: There hasn't been anything they've done in the name of safety that I think has really taken away From the game except for maybe the onside kick conversation, which we have a different time I am generally kind of grossed out by the fact that they won't listen to the players on the artificial turf conversation, but otherwise, gameplay is good. Pulling players out for concussion evaluations hasn't negatively impacted the game, in my opinion, so I say green. Okay, okay. Hilary: I am generally kind of grossed out by the fact that they won't listen to the players on the artificial turf conversation, but otherwise, gameplay is good. Pulling players out for concussion evaluations hasn't negatively impacted the game, in my opinion, so I say green. Okay, okay. What do you think? Yeah, I think that's green. That's green. And maybe a topic for another day, if we ever want to come back to safety, is the concept of playing through injury and the stigma of that or where we stand culturally on playing or not. Emily Schmidt: What do you think? Yeah, I think that's green. That's green. And maybe a topic for another day, if we ever want to come back to safety, is the concept of playing through injury and the stigma of that or where we stand culturally on playing or not. Emily: Yeah, that would be an interesting topic for another time. So I think that's a wrap for our episode on safety. Always a pleasure talking to you, Hillary, and I look forward to talking to you again soon on our next episode of Unicorn Football Talk.