Change in NFL medical procedures, protocols on concussion to be on card – NFL News
A change in the medical procedures and protocol on head injuries by the National Football League (NFL) is reported to be on the card in the near future.
The projected changes which are expected to be introduced by the NFL in consultation with NFL Players Association (NFLPA) are being seen coming in as a result of recent controversy over handling of Cleveland Browns’ quarterback
Colty McCoy concussion.
Browns are a subject of an NFL and NFLPA’s joint review and as a part of the inquiry officials from both sides have visited the Browns in the Cleveland to inspect their facilities and protocols.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said that findings of the review of both organizations would be looked at by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and members of NFL committee on head, neck and spine injuries. Any policy or procedural changes
would be made by the commissioner himself and they will be in consultation with NFL’s medical staff and NFLPA.
NFL had earlier introduced new measures on concussion in an agreement with NFLPA. This included placing of an observer at Press Box during each game to monitor injuries, concussion in particular.
Each observer is co-ordinated with an NFL staff at its headquarters in New York who watches each game on screen and monitors injuries.
The reports of the change in NFL medical procedures comes after a shocking revelation by Browns wide receiver Joshua Cribs that a majority of players do not report concussions so as to increase their chances of continuing playing.
The change is also significance in the backdrop of Browns president Mike Holmgren’s disclosure that Colt McCoy was not inspected for concussion on the sideline. He said the player did not show symptoms of concussion, apparently.
He further said that their medical staff was unable to determine the status of his injury because they could not see the hit for being busy in attending to other injured players on the sideline.
Browns head coach Pat Shurmur had come under fire over handling of Colt McCoy head injury. The player was allowed to return to resume his game despite that he suffered a concussion.
The coach however defended himself saying that he was told by the team’s head trainer that the player looked ok to go.
NFL has recently come under severe criticism from former players over its policies on concussion. The league is also a subject of an about half dozen legal suits over its handling of concussions.
The recent incident of Colt McCoy has brought further pressure on the league office over handling of head injuries, also warranting possible change in its medical procedures and protocols.
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