Former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Joe Horn says the way the National Football League is handling safety is "hogwash."

"You can't make football safe," Horn told 710 KEEL.  "The only way you can make professional football safe is to change it to flag football, or two-hand touch."

The former star was in Shreveport-Bossier promoting his "Bayou 87" brand products at local Walmarts.  He is one of 2,000 football players suing the NFL over how they handled concussions.

The NFL is now changing the rules of the game to try to make it safer, reducing head-to-head contact and ideally reduce the number of concussions suffered by players.  Talk on sports outlets feel this would ruin the game.

Horn explained, "They [players] are professionals, make millions of dollars, and fans want to see hits."

The former Saint also told 710 KEEL that fans will not care in the long run.

"Everyone is going to love NFL football, whether it is two-hand touch, flag football, doesn't matter.  No one is going to stop watching it.  I don't care how you make the game," explained Horn.  "If they can get elite player athletes to throw the ball, run, and catch, that's all the fans really want to see."

Horn also said that he would be happy if the league went to two-hand touch or flag football because he will know that it won't be physical and his son can actually play in the NFL.

The Interview

Joe Horn talks about his barbecue sauce, "Bayou 87."

Joe Horn offers his opinion on how the NFL is handling safety.

Joe Horn talks the evolution of the game.

... and the government's involvement in NFL safety.

Joe Horn discusses the lawsuit against the NFL and his love for New Orleans and Louisiana.

And what is next?

 The Sauce

Joe Horn is in town to promote his "Bayou 87" product line.  He will be at the Airline Drive Walmart in Bossier City from 5 to 7 p.m. tonight offering tastings.  Tomorrow, he will do the same at the Walmart on Mansfield Road from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the Walmart location on Bert Kouns from 5 to 7 p.m.

 

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