The Associated Press just reported that the NFL released information on Sunday that the NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, is now admitting that there may be a link between multiple concussions sustained while playing football and permanent brain damage.
This statement is a complete turnaround from the stance NFL Commissioner took during the October congressional hearing in which he denied any link between multiple brain injuries sustained by retired NFL players and permanent brain damage.
With another House Judiciary Committee hearing scheduled for January 4, 2010, the NFL appears to be taking positive actions towards understanding and managing concussions for its players.
NFL Players Encouraged to Donate Brains to Research
One of the primary changes is that the NFL is now encouraging retired players to donate their brains to the brain injury research project being conducted by Boston University. Although a number of players have already enrolled in the study, this is the first time that the NFL has supported the research being done.
According to an article, "NFL to Ask Players to donate Brains for Study", posted by Howard Fendrich, Associated Press Sports Writer, (December 20, 2009), the NFL will contact former NFL players who are enrolled in their “88 Plan” and encourage these individuals to donate their brains to the Boston University Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy. The “88 Plan” is a financial program to assist retired NFL players suffering from dementia.
Not only will the NFL contact retired NFL players, but they will also encourage current football players to agree to donate their brains to the research project.
NFL Donates 1 Million Dollars to Concussion Research
Another significant move by the NFL is the donation of one million dollars towards the research at Boston University. All of these moves are strong indications that the NFL Commissioner understands the severity of the problems of multiple concussions and that the NFL is now taking measures to protect their athletes.
The NFL has also announced that they would take a number of steps immediately to better diagnose and manage the way players with concussions are treated. These include:
- stricter return to play guidelines
- independent neurologist to consult with players
- evaluation of rules to determine if they can be changed to lesson risk to athletes
- new coaches committee to review ways to improve safety during practice
- mandatory medical conference in 2010 for all NFL medical personnel
- investment in research for equipment improvements
The admission by the NFL Commissioner of a link between multiple concussions sustained while competing in football and permanent brain injury should have a trickle-down effect throughout all of the levels of football.
According to an Associated Press article (December 17, 2009), “Is NFL Doing Enough about Concussions, Congress Wants Answers,” congress does not want to stop at the NFL level, but would also like answers regarding what is being done to protect athletes at the high school and college level.
NCAA Takes Steps to Protect Athletes
Evidence that the NCAA is paying close attention, this week an “NCAA committee recommended a new rule that would sideline an athlete for at least the rest of the day if he or she loses consciousness or shows other worrisome symptoms” (Associated Press, December 17, 2009).
Although this is a good initial step by the NCAA, established guidelines for the management of concussions are published and available by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and should be adopted in their entirety. Once adopted, these guidelines would protect athletes from further injury.
The pressure that Congress placed on the NFL Commissioner to make immediate and drastic changes to protect NFL football players was effective. The focused media attention and education of the public on the serious effects of concussions should ensure that positive changes can be made at all levels to protect all athletes.
Terry Zeigler - Educating through writing with over twenty-five years of experience as a Kinesiology Professor and Certified Athletic Trainer.
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