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NFL points to Stewart Bradley as reason for changes on concussions

Stewart Bradley

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Stewart Bradley (55) leaves the game after dislocating his right elbow in the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

AP

Concussion prevention became one of the top priorities of the league office thanks in large part to one particular incident in 2010, when the Eagles sent an obviously concussed player, linebacker Stewart Bradley, back onto the field after suffering a concussion.

Dr. Richard Ellenbogen, co-chair of the NFL’s Head, Neck and Spine Committee, cited the Bradley incident as the reason the league has created a standardized method of examining players during games.

“Had that not happened, we may not have had the NFL sideline examination [for concussions] this year,” Ellenbogen said.

Ellenbogen added that the NFL’s enhanced policies on concussions “will protect against exactly what happened in Philadelphia.”

That’s good to hear. The Eagles allowed Bradley to play even though he had stumbled around on the field after a hard collision and was clearly suffering from a concussion, and that shouldn’t happen again.