Ann McKee Quotes

You always want to see the NFL try to protect the players.

I think they shouldn't allow cut blocks, because our knees are important to us, too. I know concussions are a big deal, too, but I think knee, cut blocks are a big deal, but that seems to be OK with the NFL. So they're not too concerned about safety, obviously.

I'm very proud of high school, college and pro football, the strides have been made to make it a safer game.

We will always make sure player health and safety is our No. 1 priority in the NFL.

But the equipment to protect the players hasn't developed along with that, so now you have more players out with worse injuries, for longer periods of time.

The NFL, sadly, has a fatal environmental problem: It kills its workers.

Of course, in pro ball, they never hit the quarterback in practice.

My job is to protect the integrity of the NFL and to make sure the game is as safe as possible.

Player safety has been an essential focus for us for a number of years.

We don't want our players getting hurt.

Concussions have brought the consciousness to the problem, but I think the problem is football-related injuries, period, and the lack of support from the league of those players who have suffered those injuries. The denial factor has been unbelievable. I'm here because I'm a fighter to try to bring attention to this fact.

I really do care about the health of the players. That's one of the tough things about the NFL - it's so physically tough on the players.

Since 2000, it's been a privilege and honor for me to be on the competition committee. And our main focus... is player safety.

When you stand and talk about player safety, and then, at the same time, you want to extend the season two more games, there's a contradiction in there.

We've seen some players dying from playing football, and the questions are why can't the medical team stop it from happening.

The quarterback is the most vulnerable one on the field. He's in an awkward position a lot of times when he throws the ball. So he does have to be protected. You lose a quarterback, you're in trouble. I don't know if they can make it too safe. I think health becomes an issue.

My experience over my five years at Wisconsin and my one year in the NFL was that there were times where I couldn't play the game safely. There are positive measures we can take... but on a lead play, on a power play, there's violence.

There's been a lot talk about football and safety issues. My big thing is the benefits far outweigh the risks.

They're on the right road, but there's a long way to go on concussions, not only in the NFL, but college football, high school football and all football.

Surely, sport is not fundamentally about the safety of athletes. If it were, we'd probably have to ban professional football, right after boxing.

Athletes, coaches and parents today are increasingly aware of the danger of concussion, and this awareness influences decisions about buying new and reconditioned football helmets.

The families of many athletes - incensed at the sports leagues and hoping to make games safer overall - are increasingly making the brains of players who die prematurely and suspiciously available for study. Some athletes are even making the bequest themselves.

I just think more precaution should be taken when I'm inside the pocket. Look at all the replays - I'm on the ground every time. It's unfortunate for myself, it's unfortunate for my team and I'd be lying if I sat here and said I wasn't frustrated right now.

There's rule changes every year. I do wish, however, that the NFL did have a voice from the players' side, whether it's our players' union president, or team captains, or our executive committee on the players' side. Because we're the guys that realize the risk; we're the guys on the field.

The NFL today has bigger, stronger, bodies than ever, moving faster than ever, hitting a stationary object harder than ever before - so the physics of the hit have changed.