NFL Taking Further Steps to Treat Concussions
The National Football League (NFL) has made one thing clear in recent years: the league is serious about preventing concussions and protecting their investments. We’ve seen this in the stiffer penalties for shots to the head and further studies into safer helmets. Now the league is ready to take further steps to prevent damage to the brain, protecting careers and long-term health.
The league will now hang a poster in the locker rooms of all 32 teams. The poster strongly urges players to report any concussions or any symptoms immediately as it warns that repeated concussions "can change your life and your family's life forever."
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello commented on the new approach.
"It is intended to present the most current and objective medical information on concussion," Aiello said.
The poster will also be handed out as a brochure to all players.
The league has clearly changed its philosophy on concussions. They are certainly more cautious now. The poster is a change from a pamphlet handed out to players three years ago 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," and also left open the question of "if there are any long-term effects of concussion in NFL athletes."
Now the league’s poster has reworded things, as it is more direct and warns players that: "Repetitive brain injury, when not treated promptly and properly may cause permanent damage to your brain."
The NFLPA’s medical director, Dr. Thom Mayer, helped create the poster and stated:"This is a clear step forward in educating players."
Baltimore Ravens centre Matt Birk welcomed the league’s approach to the situation saying: "To put it out there in writing in locker rooms, at least it's publicly acknowledging that, 'Hey, this is real.'" "There are risks in everything you do, and this one is real. You can't sweep it under the rug anymore."
Last year during a congressional committee hearing on concussions, Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL were criticized for not paying more attention to the connection between concussions and brain damage. Since then, the league has shown commitment to further researching the issue and have shown more protection for its players.
This recent addition is on top of other policies the league has instituted. For one, there are now stricter return-to-play guidelines for players showing concussion symptoms. Players must sit out even if they only show symptoms of a concussion. Each team is also required to enlist an independent neurologist as an adviser.
Obviously, it is very important for the matter to be taken seriously and teams have to be concerned with the well-being of their players. Athletes nowadays have gotten bigger, faster, and stronger. Combined with the physical nature of the sport, it leaves players vulnerable to injuries and concussions are very serious. Players must be as protected as possible without compromising the idea of football.
Certainly shots to the head have no place in football and are understandably banned. It’s also necessary to take head injuries seriously because ultimately everybody stands to lose from a player playing injured. The player can’t perform to their ability and the team suffers.
This policy helps young players who experience injuries as well. Often, rookies will play through injury to not lose a roster spot and want to prove their toughness to their teams, but they also have to worry about their long-term well-being as they have their careers ahead of them. Hopefully, the new poster helps the league inch closer to resolving the issue.
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