For longtime fans, nothing compares to the NFL of the 1970s and ’80s. The game was tougher, more physical, and played under far fewer safety regulations. That’s why former Kansas City Chiefs tight end Jason Dunn believes players who suffered serious injuries during that era deserve compensation.
Although the league had some safety rules in place, protocols before 2002 were minimal. Plays that today would result in fines or suspensions were routine back then.
At the start of the 21st century, the NFL began implementing stricter measures to protect players, including:
- A ban on hip tackles
- Changes to kickoff rules
- Annual testing of helmets and protective gear
- Standards for playing surfaces
- Concussion protocols
- Fines for:
- Hitting defenseless players
- Leading with the helmet
- Roughing the quarterback or kicker
While many fans dislike these changes, Dunn has taken the opposite stance, calling for compensation for players who endured injuries in past decades.
Jason Dunn’s plea to the NFL
On Friday, the X (formerly Twitter) account Football’s Greatest Moments resurfaced the 1977 CBS NFL intro video, captioned: “Almost every clip is a penalty in 2026.”
Dunn agreed, saying:
Yes indeed!!! I remember seeing some of those gladiators coming in the locker room or practice from having hip surgery or mangled fingers.
After praising them as “real dudes,” Dunn added: “Glad they changed the game for the safety of the players.”
But he didn’t stop there. Dunn demanded: “Every single one of those men needs to be compensated appropriately!” Later, responding to another comment, he reiterated: “The NFL needs to do right by those guys.”
Dunn’s career nearly derailed by injury
Dunn knows the toll of injuries firsthand. Drafted 54th overall in the 1996 NFL Draft, he spent his first three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.
In 1998, he suffered an injury that forced him to miss the entire 1999 season. He returned in 2000 with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he played until his retirement in 2007.
After retiring, Dunn briefly pursued coaching, serving as a special teams coach at Kentucky State. However, he has not held another notable coaching position since.
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