Earlier tonight, MDS pointed out that the co-chairs of the NFL's concussion committee have resigned.
The league has since released more comprehensive information regarding the new measures that will be taken to deal with the problem of chronic, low-grade brain injuries.
"We have undertaken a series of initiatives that will enhance the substantial progress we have made in recent years in concussion-related matters," Commissioner Roger Goodell in a memo issued to all NFL clubs. "Our goal remains to make our game as safe as possible, protect the health and safety of our players, and set the best possible example for players at all levels and in all sports."
The memo listed seven specific steps that the league has taken, along with others that the league is considering.
First, the committee from which Dr. Ira Casson and Dr. David Viano has resigned will be strengthened and expanded.
Second, and as previously reported by a guy who has likely suffered a few concussions of his own (while riding his motorcycle or while fighting in a cage or while running into Michael Strahan's kneecap), each team will be identifying local specialists who'll be available to provide an "independent 'second opinion'" in situations involving players who have been removed from a game or a practice due to a concussion. "Before these players return to practice or play, they must be evaluated and cleared by both their team doctor and the independent neurologist or neurosurgeon," the league's release explains.
Third, the Competition Committee is evaluating possible rule changes aimed at reducing head impacts in game situation.
Fourth, Commissioner's special adviser John Madden is chairing a committee of coaches, and they are exploring ideas for reducing head trauma during practices. "Among the considerations are reducing the overall amount of off-season work, and/or limiting the use of helmets (and therefore contact) in practice, minicamps, OTAs, and training camps," the release says.
Fifth, the league has developed a public service announcement directed primarily at young athletes, their parents, and their coaches regarding head-injury awareness. It debuts on December 10.
Sixth, the NFL will conduct another medical conference in Washington, D.C., in June 2010, which will be similar to the conference conducted by the league in Chicago two years ago.
Seventh, the NFL will continue research efforts aimed at improving equipment safety, and the league "will urge players to make informed choices regarding the use of the most technologically advanced helmets."
"Our game today is played with the understanding that medical decisions must always take priority over competitive interests," Commissioner Goodell said in the memo. "As a result, our sport is safer than it was previously. But we always strive to do better and the steps announced today will enhance the substantial progress we have made in recent years."
We agree with the moves, and in a SportingNews.com item to be posted Wednesday we'll delve into the reasons for these changes -- and we'll explore the potential consequences of this newfound sensitivity to head injuries.
League unveils new concussion measures
Posted by Mike Florio on November 24, 2009 7:57 PM ET
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Mike, why doesn't the league just make the most technologically advanced helmets mandatory?
Mike,
One of the sports reporters on "Around the Horn" speculated today that "independent" neurologists/neurosurgeons in a team's market might not be truly independent. Why? (1) They may be football fans, and (2) they could wind up coming under pressure from the teams' physicians to rubber-stamp their concussions recommendations.
He raised the possibility of independent physicians from outside the local market serving as consultants.
Any thoughts?
One alternative is to make helmet contact punishable by sending the offending player off the field for (say) 5 minutes of playing time - much like using the 'penalty box' in ice hockey and other sports.
The offending team will have to play with 10 players during those 5 minutes. Swift justice is the best way to significantly reduce, if not to eliminate, these incapacitating head injuries.
Let's see how "enthusiastic" the coaches and co-ordiantors will be to encourage rough play or even the 'taking out' a player on the other team.
So does this go into effect soon enough to impact Big Ben this week?
Ahhh- Very good!
Now if we could just get players to stop "running into each other", or perhaps "playing football", nothing else will ever go wrong in the NFL...
Let's face it, there is no way to eliminate helmet contact in football. It's a part of the game and with the exception of intentional tackles, spearing etc. there is nothing that can be done to prevent it. What needs to be done is that there must be a helmet that is designed to withstand the impact and players MUST be forced to wear mouthguards similar to highschool players because they are scientfically proven to reduce concussions. The solutions are simple, the problem is in the politics.
Can't play with 10, but how about if you commit a helmet to helmet hit you get a flag and a warning, then if you get caught going helmet to helmet again you get a flag and ejection...
"The league has since released more comprehensive information regarding the new measures that will be taken to deal with the problem of chronic, low-grade brain injuries."
My guess is that the league will deal with the low grade brain injuries by requiring the players to work for internet sports journalism websites, as writers, while suffering from the chronic, low grade brain injuries. This will be enforced with the threat of pulling flex schedualing from said websites corporate overlord. Not saying anything about the supporting cast at PFT, just putting out a hypothesis for others to ponder.
Another scenario is that they will just make post under the guise of green bay packer fans in order to piss off rational people and drive up the hit count.
Come on independent doctors....and then john madden does he even know what day of the week it is? Money talks this is america
Since when does the league urge players to use specific types of equipment? When Chad Johnson wanted to put a stupid nickname on his jersey the league when ballistic issuing orders. But when it comes to something as serious as helmets that might lessen the incidence of concussive brain injuries, the league is going to "urge" players to make wise decisions? Since college players apparently are wearing more technologically advanced helmets than pro players, can we get some info on the equipment issues?
Fifth, the league has developed a public service announcement directed primarily at young athletes, their parents, and their coaches regarding head-injury awareness. It debuts on December 10.
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This is the best thing to come from the whole ordeal. NFL leads in medical and tech advances when it comes to injuries - doesn't take long for it to trickle down to college and lower levels.
Bad as it sounds it is good to see some stars getting the concussions - Westbrook, BigBen, Warner - if it was rank and file there might not be so much attention on the subject.
Rank and file players are more likely to hide the symptoms to avoid being labeled as injury prone or even to avoid the waiver wire. Hopefully by setting mandatory rules regarding concussions some players won't feel it is necessary to hide the symptoms and end up getting long term side effects.
Whether there is medical studies showing long term effects or not ask anyone who has suffered a few and they could name something.
I had 3(2 "severe") within 2 years and it's obvious the wheels are turning but the hamsters are missing.
Have to agree w/ erstwhiledoc and the 'around the horn' douche.
Why not have the independent neurologist travel/work with the game officials? They rotate around to different games/teams etc., so the threat of a bias is reduced and they'd actually be, you know... independent.
We've all seen Any Given Sunday, Playmakers, etc., and I've personally met team docs... they aren't unbiased in their clinical decision making. Not saying they aren't looking out for the player's health, but if something can slide and "the team needs it", it'll slide. If the "independent" neurologist is employed/hired by the team, they'll be more likely to lean how the team would like them to and maybe let a player back in a little early.
Just sayin'
Until the apply the same rules to owners and coaches, the job is only half done. How else can one explain this year's Cleveland Browns?
in high school and college, players have to have all the buckles on the chin strap fastened, and must wear mouth pieces. the newest mouth pieces are aimed at preventing concussions. Sometimes, it looks like half of nfl players don't do either?
Why can't they put shock sensors on the helmets? Anything from the cheap-o stickers that you put on, to implanting a little sensor in the helmet that can be monitored/saved and reviewed after the game.
Get some accurate data about how much these guys brains are being shaken. In a league that makes billions off TV deals alone, can't they spend a few hundred thousand to protect their most valuable assets?
"We have undertaken a series of initiatives that will enhance the substantial progress we have made in recent years in concussion-related matters,"
Is this a government plan? None of the 7 steps actually do anything except say they are continuing to study the issue.
Here is an example of what the NFL could do for starters.
15yd penalty for any player whose helmet comes off during a play.
There is no way a properly fitted helmet with the chin strap on comes off during any type of hit. In fact, the force is in the exact opposite direction and would jamb the helmet on your head. I saw a play last week where these two lineman were toe to toe and one got called for hands to the face. He was jambing the other lineman's facemask. Did the helmet pop off? NO! It didn't because he had it strapped on.
"So does this go into effect soon enough to impact Big Ben this week? "
"Impact"? Bad choice of words there, Sam.
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"Let's see how "enthusiastic" the coaches and co-ordiantors will be to encourage rough play or even the 'taking out' a player on the other team."
Yeah, ' cause we all know that penalties have virtually eliminated rough play in hockey, right? I mean, when was the last time you watched a hockey game without any penalties?
Football is a high contact sport, and many times helmet to helmet hits occur without intention. And how do you stop someone going down from being clocked in the head by an unintentional knee, injuring BOTH players?
You can't take the contact out of football, it just can't be done. The next best step is a helmet designed to better minimize the impact somehow.
But it's all about huge people trying to collide with other huge people, either to block them or tackle them. It's a violent sport, and that is simply the basis for this game, that's the reality of it all.
There is a problem with using neurosurgeons to diagnose/treat concussions. They don't have the skill set to do it.
They can only cut. Someone that has a concussion doesn't need a neurosurgeon so they son't see or know how to treat these patients. They are not trained to make a call whether or not they can play.
Most neurologists also don't know how to treat people with a traumatic brain injury (a concussion is a traumatic brain injury).
The only specialists to can diagnose TBI is a neuropsychologist - and they don't even need to be doctors.