It's a tough argument, as it's really a decision made in the interest of player safety, and the thought process behind it is sound. Simons saw the play coming toward him, and you can tell that he moved to protect himself and get out of the way. He was reacting in self preservation mode though, and didn't really even have time to think about grabbing his gear to protect either it or the player... and honestly, I can't even imagine what it would be like to go flying through the air and land on the ground with one of those lenses in my ribs. OUCH! It definitely could have been a lot worse.
To get the record straight, though, monopods are still allowed. As quoted... "Monopods attached to cameras are permissible." This means, I would assume, that set-ups like the one in the pic you posed of your brother in action, are still safe and sound. Tripods, however, along with loose monopods and the monopod stools are now banned from the playing field. Why? Because, just like Simons said in his blog, he wants to be able to get out of of a player's way as quickly as possible when the situation calls for it. That "Fight or flight" type of response doesn't allow for "Gee, I'd better grab all my stuff too" moments, though. Imagine a kicked monopod stool flipping over so the monopod catches a player in the gut, or worse, the throat. Or imagine a player, focusing on the game, stepping onto a lens on the ground, leading to a shattered ankle or torn tendons/ligaments.
I've long been amazed at the number of cords and personnel allowed along the sidelines of football and basketball games, and it's a wonder there haven't been more serious injuries, to tell the truth. Injuries to both players and others. I think the entirety of the rule changes actually reflect some consideration for the photographers as well as the limitation of injury to the players, so it's pretty much a fair mix.
1st statement. "CSC staff has been instructed to make every effort possible not to block the views of working photographers on the field, particularly when play is in progress," and they've been asked to walk BEHIND photog's instead of in front of them. PROTECTED LINES OF SIGHT! I'd bet sport photographers have been dreaming of this for years! If this is enforced, perhaps photographers won't need to jockey around into less than safe areas for their shots as they may have been tempted to do before. Who knows, it may even lead to the creation, perhaps (and this is pure speculation) of maybe protected areas being created for sport photog's going forward, as we all know great sport shots become instant PR. (in this, imagine dugouts, or front row accommodations, perhaps?)
2nd statement. "All field photographers will be required to have any equipment on their person on the sidelines going forward." Sure, perhaps a temporary setback, but with safety in mind. Again, even Simons admitted he was trying to get out of the way as quickly as possible. This rule means, if adhered too, all of his equipment is on the move with him, without a second thought, thus limiting the chance for potential injury. Maybe it means one less lens... one less camera... I can't imagine it will mean no more great shots.
3rd statement. Paraphrased, as it's a simple concept. Certain areas of the field are now off limits. This is actually a rule that I think should have been in place all along, to protect both players and other personnel. I've a HUGE football fan, and oddly enough (you may have noticed) a huge fan of photography as well. I can't tell you how many times, while watching games, I've seen a MASSIVE football player run over a non-massive, non-athletic "someone" on the sidelines. And when I say "run over", I mean PLOWED, SMOOSHED, DEMOLISHED, OBLITERATED, etc. Even cheerleaders at times. Padded superstar bounces up, unpadded somebody does not. They also added in the statement that "OU Athletics will ...ensure that only those individuals with a working function are on the field..."
Granted, Stoops reaction was a bit harsh. He, along with many other college coaches, are very defensive of their players in any situation. (reference Gundy's "I'm 40 and I'm a man" speech) It will all wash over, though, and he'll continue to stop and smile for photog's, as will the players, just like they do now, and their families will continue to scrapbooks their moments in history. The players reaction was top notch, and Simons response/apology was as well.
Every "protection" rule usually comes about from some sort of accident, and this isn't any exception. It's not a debilitating change, and I'm sure photog's will adapt quickly. Then again, what do I know? I'm definitely not a professional sports photographer, but I have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express a time or two in my life.
