There will be critics that point to the NFL’s new strongly worded poster warning against the dangers of concussions, saying the message is too little, too late.
To that, we say that the poster represents significant progress, no matter how overdue. And progress is a great thing when you can consider what is at stake.
Alan Schwartz New York Times has an excellent writeup about the poster, which will be displayed in NFL locker rooms. The poster uses cautionary, sobering language about the devastating long-term effects of concussions and the importance of diagnosing them.
As Schwartz points out, this replaces a shameful pamphlet the NFL used since 2007 that said “Current research with professional athletes has not shown that having
more than one or two concussions leads to permanent problems if each
injury is treated properly.”
The new poster has a much different tone, describing that dementia, depression, and memory problems can occur if concussions aren’t treated properly.
A copy of the poster can be viewed here. One poster can’t change the entire NFL’s culture, but it’s a start.
Terry Bradshaw was disappointed as he thought his likeness was going to be used for the NFL logo, and not the Surgeon General’s warning poster.
The Cowboys will use theirs to cover up the glory hole leading to JJ’s office while reporters are present.
yeah a poster will make players not lead with their hit when running at full speed into someone else..
Wow, a poster.
I bet there are a bunch of retired players that wish the NFL had of prepared a poster for them when they were playing.
The NFL is like BP and the oil leak in the Gulf. They got the leak stopped , now who’s gonna clean up the mess?
Shouldn’t they warn them about concussions on the field? I’m pretty sure they don’t get too many concussions in the locker room.
“NFL to warn players of concussion risks in every locker room”
I don’t get it, I didn’t think locker rooms were that dangerous…
The problem is caused by players not wearing properly fitted helmets. Pop Warner kids have their ears lifted when they take off their helmets while the pros’ helmets just pop off. Wear the proper equipment properly!
NFL players can get a concussion in every locker room?! How, by a reporting cracking a tape recorder or microphone on his head during a post-game interview? Man, who knew you could get your bell rung just by walking to the showers….
LOL at some of these comments.
Maybe the locker rooms have 2 flights of stairs – you could fall done those and get a fractured skull.
LOL at PhillyCheeses’ comment regarding Jerry Jones ….too funny, LOL
Tell them about Mike Webster and Andre Waters. Two very tough and great football players that ended it all very sadly because of head injuries.
Gosder Cherilus could not read it without his Bozo Decoder Ring. Is this the reason he can’t remember the snap count?
This replaces the old poster featuring South Park guidance counselor Mr. Mackey saying “Concussions are bad, mmkay?”
Tell them about Mike Webster and Andre Waters. Two very tough and great football players that ended it all very sadly because of head injuries.
And posters lecturing on STDs attract readers in rooms renting by the hour.
Pointless exercise:
1. You have 2-3 seconds to make an impact.
2. Players in locker rooms, especially before and during games, try NOT to think about injuries so they’re NOT going to be drawn to a dissertation on concussions.
3. Players won’t want peers to see them taking a lot of interest in reading that poster.
4. Players make decisions emotionally, not clinically.
Instead try a poster of Merril Hoge in his old jersey. In BIG print, readable from across the room:
“Trying to play following two concussions in five weeks left me flatlining in the training room. I survived–but my NFL career was over. It took two years of cognitive therapy to get my life back. Take head injuries seriously.”
Distribute brochures containing all the other info–symptoms, etc.–with paychecks or game plans. That way they’ll all receive them and won’t have to be embarrassed about someone watching them read the info.
If they get knocked senseless on the field, they might not think of all that clinical stuff, but guarantee they’ll flash on Hoge flatlining and losing his career.
Was the poster designed in HTML? It looks like a Wikipedia entry.
Concussion risks in the Locker Room? Are these guys safe anywhere?
I can see it now, Albert Haynesworth will show up for the first day of camp and receive a concussion with all those symptoms. He’ll just point to a symtom on the chart when the medical staff asks him how he’s doing. He’ll have symptoms all year.
What will the Redskins do then?
I heard the NFL is also going put a poster up encouraging players not to kill, steal, cheat, and rape. Also, the coaches need a poster on how not to raise a couple of asshole kids – like some fat Philly coach that I will not name.
What next? A warning from the surgeon general on each pack of cigarettes?
I can see this message being applied by a coach this summer:
“Hey kid, the only way youre making this squad is on special teams. Youre the gunner on the punt team. Now, go out there and beat the two guys blocking you, sprint 6o yards, and get a solo on Devin Hester. But try not ot use your head when you tackle him. Got it? Good luck.”