Bret Bielema: Up-tempo can be life threatening

Nov 2, 2013; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema talks to center Travis Swanons (64) during the game against the Auburn Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Auburn defeated Arkansas 35-17. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

As we get closer to March 6th, more coaches are sounding off on the rule for slowing the up-tempo style offenses. Head Coaches Mike Gundy, Todd Graham, Mike Sumlin, Rich Rodriguez, and most recently Bob Stoops have voiced their opinions against the proposed rule. NCAA Football Rules Committee Chairman and Air Force Academy Head Coach Tony Calhoun even appears to be backing away from the sentiment to implement this rule.

Coach Bret Bielema recently made claims that, up-tempo style offenses are potentially life threatening to the student athletes that compete at the Division 1 level. I am going to try to respond to this, as this is the most ridiculous thing I have heard come out in this debate. What makes this worse, is the life threatening event he was referring too, did not even pertain to the debate in question.

Coach Bielema was referencing the recent death of Ted Agu. As he stated:

"“If one of those players is on the field for me, and I have no timeouts, I have no way to stop the game, and he raises his hand to stop the game, and I can’t do it. What am I supposed to do? I’m not talking about injuries. I’m talking about death. That concerns me. That’s a very serious matter to me, and I think if we talk to any coach in the country that’s going to talk against that, I would doubt very much that they would do it openly…..”Death certificates. There’s no more anything I need than that.”” (via The Oregonian)"

As I stated earlier, these two things have nothing to do with one another. The unfortunate death of Ted Agu, occurred during a training run with other Cal Football players. The cause of his death is currently unknown, and could take weeks to be determined. It has been reported that he tested positive for the sickle cell trait. Cal’s Athletic Director Sandy Barbour has spoke out against what Bielema was saying on her twitter page:

It is unfortunate that the sad news of Ted Agu’s death had to be brought up to in such a way as to advance the wishes of Bret Bielema and those few who are championing the rule change proposals, as there is no evidence that up-tempo offenses cause fatalities. Coach Bielema did clarify his meaning, offering condolences however, no apology.

Bob Stoops has chimed in on all of the recent comments pertaining to the new rule change, and the claims that up-tempo offenses increase risk of injury:

"“Bottom line, there’s no evidence to support that it’s unsafe. The offense is capable of operating without substitution, in all downs and distances. If they’re able to adjust to keep the same personnel on the field, they ought to be able to use whatever pace they want to, and the defense ought to be able to adjust. We’ve been operating for six years in an up-tempo.If someone’s hurt, play is stopped. They talk about players with the sickle cell trait, or asthma, goes to a knee, puts his hand up and play is stopped. That’s how the game has been played forever. Nothing’s changed. The other thing is, if you’re going to do this, what comes next? ‘Oh, the quarterback can’t get in the shotgun and run the ball, because he might get hurt.’ Don’t allow the defense to blitz more rushers than the offense has blockers. Because the quarterback might get killed. Somebody’s going to be unblocked. To me, that’s a lot more unsafe than going tempo,” Bob Stoops said. (via The Oklahoman)"

I had stated in the previous article talking about the up-tempo rule, that the defense has to be allowed to substitute when the offense does. As Coach Stoops and many others have stated, there is no data to support that the up-tempo offenses cause more injuries. It appears to be possibly the opposite. The game stops for any player who is injured, just as Coach Stoops pointed out. Coach Bielema talks like the game continues to be played around the injured player. Once he is out of time outs, he cant “protect” his players. I don’t believe the SEC plays football in that fashion. If they do, then that should be an SEC rule change.

The NCAA since 2010, has tested for the sickle cell trait in student athletes. Coach Bielema, I believe he feels he is acting in the best interest of student athletes. However, instead of focusing on the a certain aspect of the game, that has no evidence for causing increased injury, he should focus his efforts to more extensive medical screening during the off season and regular season—if he truly feels not enough is being done to prevent players from suffering a fatal injury, such as from sickle cell anemia. As more and more of this comes out, the more it appears this proposed rule, has nothing to do with player safety, and that Coach Bielema is simply grasping at straws to try to make it appear that way.