Recent Health & Safety News

U.S. Senator supports youth football helmet replacement program

May 15, 2012

U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) expressed support today for a newly-announced youth football safety and helmet program, according to a press release from Udall’s office. The program, which is supported by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), will replace football helmets that are 10 years or older in underserved communities and provide coaches with the latest youth health and safety information to protect players.

“I am pleased to see the NFL, USA Football and manufacturers working together to make sure our young football players are not wearing 10-year-old helmets that no longer meet industry safety standards,” said Udall. “Increasing awareness of equipment safety and sports concussion will help protect young players from injury.”

The NFL, NFLPA, National Collegiate Athletic Association, and National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment have committed $1 million to fund the program in its first year. Other members of the partnership include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Athletic Equipment Reconditioners Association (NAERA), Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA), Rawlings, Riddell, Schutt, and Xenith.

“I want to thank CPSC Chairwoman Inez Tenenbaum for initiating this effort, and the CDC for their involvement.” said Udall. “But it is important to emphasize the limited ability of sports equipment to prevent concussions—not just in football but in all sports. Young players as well coaches and parents should know CDC guidelines when it comes to sports concussion: when in doubt, sit it out. ”

For the complete release, click here.

Sports organizations and equipment manufacturers launch youth football safety and helmet replacement program

May 15, 2012

The NFL and several sports organizations, safety equipment manufacturers, and a federal agency have joined forces to create a youth safety and helmet replacement program for underserved communities. The program, which is supported by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), will replace youth league helmets that are 10 years or older with updated equipment at no cost, and provide coaches with the latest educational health and safety materials.

The NFL, NFL Players Association, National Collegiate Athletic Association, and National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment have committed approximately $1 million to the program for its first year. USA Football will lead execution of the initiative. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Athletic Equipment Reconditioners Association, Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, Rawlings, Riddell, Schutt, and Xenith have also joined the partnership.

CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum initiated the partnership, which will educate thousands of youth football coaches on the importance of health and safety measures and to distribute 13,000 new helmets to young players in low-income communities in 2012. The California Bay Area, Gulf Coast region, Northern Ohio and the tri-state area around New York City will serve as pilot areas for the program.

“We are pleased to be part of this initiative, which will give children in underserved communities access to new helmets, and to reach coaches and parents with educational information to help protect young athletes from head injuries,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “This program is part of our focus on player safety at all levels of the game. We are proud to join with these well-respected organizations to make the helmet replacement program a reality.”

For the complete release, click here.

Concussions a concern in girls’ soccer

Rock Center, May 9, 2012

High concussion rates in girls’ soccer are causing alarm among parents and doctors, reported NBC’s Rock Center program.

Girls currently comprise 48 percent of the more than 3 million kids registered in U.S. Youth Soccer leagues, and are reporting nearly twice as many concussions as boys, according to the article.

“People who think of concussions as only being present mostly in guys and mostly in the sport of football are just plain wrong,” said Dr. Bob Cantu, chairman of the surgery division and the director of sports medicine at Emerson Hospital in Concord, Mass. “Soccer is right at the top of the list for girls.”

Dr. Cantu recently proposed banning heading of the ball in soccer for girls under the age of 14, since the anatomy of young women’s necks makes them more susceptible to head injury. Others believe that girls can safely head the ball after receiving proper instruction on safe techniques.

“I circle back to education and preparation and I put that on parents and coaches because the kids don’t know any better,” said Olympic soccer player Brandi Chastain. “You know, they just want to go out there and play, but if we can educate them in a fun environment that’s safe, that teaches them the skill and gives them the confidence to try it and then they can put it into practice in the game.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL promotes health and safety awareness for youth athletics

April 24, 2012

Members of the Atlanta Falcons stressed the importance of safety in youth sports last week to a group of parents and youth league coaches in Georgia as part of the NFL’s health and safety initiative, reported Education Week.

Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli and kicker Matt Bryant, retired linebacker Coy Wire, NFL medical personnel and Falcons President and CEO Rich McKay spoke at the meeting on Thursday at Wynbrooke Theme School in Stone Mountain, Ga. The event was one of several health and safety meetings that the NFL has hosted in the past year, including a forum with Commissioner Roger Goodell and 200 youth football players, coaches and parents in New Jersey last November and a health and safety clinic for 50 youth athletes in Indianapolis during Super Bowl week.

The events emphasize the seriousness of sports injuries, including concussions, and focus on prevention and treatment of head injuries.

“It’s all those tiny repetitive hits that can add up and have serious long-term damage,” said Wire, according to a Patch.com report from the event.

According to the article, the league has also asked every state to adopt youth concussion legislation to protect young players. The District of Columbia and 34 states have enacted laws to date.

For the complete story, click here.

Study: 1950’s high school football players show no increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases

April, 2012

A Mayo Clinic study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings reviewed a select group of males who played football in the ‘40s and ‘50s and found they showed no increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases later in life when compared to non-football players from the same community.

The researchers’ objective was to determine whether playing high school football in years past, when protective equipment was lacking and there was less concern and awareness about concussions, was associated with increased incidence rates of dementia, Parkinson’s disease (PD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) later in life. The study compared medical records of 438 male football players and 140 non-football playing classmates who attended two high schools in Rochester, Minn., between 1946 and 1956.

Incidence rates of dementia, PD and ALS were not statistically different in the former football players from those who did not play.

The researchers concluded that further analysis of the data would require a larger pool of non-football players with available medical records, more specific information about the players’ experiences with concussions, additional medical details about all participants that may affect the onset of neurodegenerative diseases, and further follow-up with patients at a later stage in life.

For the complete study, click here.

NFL promotes health and safety awareness among Georgia youth football leagues

April, 2012

The NFL, Atlanta Falcons and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gathered more than 100 local parents of youth football players and 60 youth football league coaches and leaders in Georgia to discuss health and safety for young athletes.

Atlanta Falcons President and CEO Rich McKay joined retired and current Falcons players along with league medical staff, independent doctors and a CDC representative to speak at the event. The discussion focused on concussion prevention, identification, symptoms and best treatment practices.

Atlanta Falcons and NFL host youth health and safety forum

Stone Mountain-Redan Patch, April 20, 2012

The Atlanta Falcons and the NFL hosted a youth health and safety forum at a Wynbrooke, Ga., elementary school Thursday to discuss effective ways to avoid concussion-related injuries, reported the Stone Mountain–Redan Patch.

“When in doubt, sit it out. You don’t take any chances,” said Dr. Kaveh Khajavi of the Georgia Spine and Neurosurgery Center, advising attendees to remove any youth athlete who may have sustained a concussion from the field.

Khajavi was joined by Atlanta Falcons president and CEO Rich McKay, former and current Falcons players, a representative from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other medical specialists at the event. The group spoke to parents, youth football league leaders and coaches about the dangers associated with concussions as well as effective detection and treatment methods.

According to the article, the panel recommended several steps to follow in order to avoid serious complications related to concussions. Players who have sustained a hit to the head should be removed from play until being cleared by a medical professional; proper safety equipment should be provided to all players; and good sportsmanship should always be encouraged.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL benefit plan provides joint care for former players

Broward Health Magazine, spring 2012

Former Houston Oilers and Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Ron Pritchard received joint replacement surgery in his left knee under the NFL’s Joint Replacement Benefit Plan for retired players’ living with injuries, reported Broward Health Magazine.

“It was created to assist retired athletes who are uninsured, underinsured or have some form of limited health insurance,” said Dana Lihan, program director for the NFL Player Care Foundation, of the program. “We provide a bridge to bring together the athlete and the hospital.”

Pritchard chose to undergo surgery at Broward Health Broward General Medical Center in Florida, one of 12 hospitals selected to participate in the NFL program. According to the article, the NFL Player Care Foundation ensures that the former players receive assistance navigating the healthcare system, from hospital check-ins to rehabilitation.

“These guys, whether they’re a recognizable face or a name on the roster, they are all made to feel they really are special,” said Lihan. “Suddenly, they are able to live a normal life. They have a much better quality of life.”

For the complete story, click here.

CDC expands youth concussion resources

April 9, 2012

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has posted a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) concerning baseline concussion testing among youth athletes on its website. The document is part of a growing list of educational resources the CDC provides through the Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports program, developed in partnership with the NFL.

Baseline concussion testing evaluates an athlete’s brain functions at the start of a sports season, before any injuries have occurred. If the athlete then sustains a blow to the head, he or she can retake the test to determine whether a concussion may have occurred and when it is safe to return to play.

The FAQ provides background information on the test to inform youth athletes, their parents, schools, coaches and sports leagues.

For the complete list of FAQ’s, click here.

Idaho passes youth concussion legislation

KIVI-TV, April 5, 2012

Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter signed a bill supported by the NFL and designed to protect youth athletes from the dangers of concussions on Tuesday, reported KIVI-TV.

House Bill 632 will require concussion education for youth athletes, their coaches and parents. It will also prevent youth athletes suspected of sustaining a concussion from returning to the field until being evaluated by a health care provider trained in concussion management.

According to the article, the law was inspired by Zackery Lystedt, a young football player who sustained a brain injury following his return to the field while concussed in 2006. Lystedt’s family eventually lobbied Washington state legislature to pass a law protecting young athletes from returning to play too soon, and the NFL began urging other states to follow suit, according to the article.

For the complete story, click here.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signs youth concussion bill

Green Bay Press Gazette, April 3, 2012

Youth athletes in Wisconsin must follow new safety protocol intended to protect them from head injuries after Governor Scott Walker singed a youth concussion bill Monday, reported the Green Bay Press Gazette.

“This is about safe sports in Wisconsin,” Walker said about the bill, which was supported by the NFL.

Former Packers offensive lineman Mark Tauscher attended the legislation signing, explaining to those in attendance that the law will help remove the stigma associated with out of a game after a hit to the head.

The law will require that players younger than 19 receive medical clearance before returning to play after a suspected concussion.

For the complete story, click here.

Helmet manufacturers experiment with new designs

April 2, 2012, Reuters

As awareness of concussion-related injuries in football continues to rise, helmet manufacturers are experimenting with new designs to protect players, reported Reuters.

New York-based startup Thermopraxis and helmet producer Schutt Sports are developing the Thermocrown, a helmet that allows cooling gas to be circulated around the head after an injury to delay the onset of damage. Michael Princip, an independent industrial designer, is working on a helmet composed of multiple exterior plates that absorb more of an impact than the standard helmets being used today. According to the article, companies are also experimenting with helmet accessories including covers with gel-filled pouches that cushion helmet-to-helmet blows.

In the NFL, players can currently choose from any helmet that meets the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment’s requirements.

“We want our players to wear the best available equipment using the latest technology,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said. “We are encouraging all helmet manufacturers to continue to improve helmets.”

For the complete story, click here.

Health and safety discussions continue at NFL annual meeting

March 28, 2012

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Competition Committee Chairman Rich McKay held media availability sessions after the second day of the NFL’s annual meeting in Palm Beach, Fla. Commissioner Goodell addressed questions about player fines, HGH testing and using independent neurologists to monitor players during games. McKay discussed the results of the competition committee’s votes on potential rule changes so far.

“We never are going to back up from player safety,” said McKay. “We are always going to push the agenda as much as we can.  We appreciate when teams push it, also.”

To view a transcript from both media availability sessions, click here.

NFL kickoff rule change reduced concussions

Associated Press, March 26, 2012

NFL Competition Committee Chairman Rich McKay announced that moving the kickoff up five yards last season helped reduce the number of concussions players sustained, reported the Associated Press.

“The kickoff rule had an effect on the game,” said McKay.”There was a 40 percent reduction in concussions on that play.”

According to the article, concussions for all plays in the NFL were down 12.5 percent this season, from 218 in 321 games in 2010 to 190 in 320 in 2011.

The competition committee is currently meeting to discuss further rule changes for 2012. Among the changes being considered, the league may outlaw contact to the head area and blocking an opponent headfirst; ban the horse-collar tackles on passers in the pocket; require booth replay officials to review plays instead referees; require all turnovers to be reviewed as scoring plays are now; and adapt injured reserve rules to allow players who are hurt early to return to the field later on in the season.

For the complete story, click here.

Concussion detection devices need additional research

Wired.com, March 26, 2012

A chin strap that can detect the force of every hit a player takes is being used by several NFL players, but evidence to suggest it will help prevent players from playing with a head injury is lacking, reported Wired.com.

The device, named the Impact Indicator and created by Battle Sports, uses a computer chip and accelerometer to calculate a number that represents the severity of a blow. If the number goes above a certain threshold, the device begins flashing to notify the player, teammates and those on the sideline that a player should be evaluated, according to the article.

Players including BenJarvus Green-Ellis of the New England Patriots have been using the strap to generate awareness surrounding concussions, but researchers say that the limited understanding of what occurs during a concussion and a lack of research on the device mean that it cannot yet be endorsed.

“There are no published data to suggest that impacts registered by the chinstrap are representative of the accelerations experienced by the head and brain, which is of greatest interest in the study of concussions,” said Kevin Guskiewicz, chair of the NFL’s subcommittee on safety equipment and player rules. “Until sound research studies can illustrate this, these devices are not recommended for concussion prevention or concussion identification by our Head, Neck and Spine subcommittee on safety equipment.”

The Impact Indicator is one of many devices being developed to detect head injuries, according to the article. A company called Bite Tech will soon introduce a mouth guard that measures the forces behind hits, and a 15-year-old student from California has developed a helmet implant that alerts players when a hit worthy of medical attention has occurred.

For the complete story, click here.

Health and safety issues discussed at NFL annual meeting

March 26, 2012

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Competition Committee Chairman Rich McKay spoke to media after the first day of the NFL’s annual meeting in Palm Beach, Fla. Commissioner Goodell addressed the New Orleans Saints bounty program and general health and safety questions. McKay explained potential rule changes and safety issues that are being addressed for the coming season.

“I think we have continued to make progress, and we obviously want to make more progress,” said Commissioner Goodell, when asked about the NFL’s health and safety initiatives. “We are going to continue to look at rules that will make the game safer. We are going to have several that are going to be introduced as Rich McKay mentioned today. There are still some things that we think we can do to take certain techniques out of the game and make it safer. But it is part of a culture change, and this is just part of the process. But I think the game is safer. I think our players appreciate it. I think our coaches appreciate it. And I know our fans appreciate it, because I heard from them today about it.”

To view a transcript of Commissioner Goodell’s media availability, click here.

To view a transcript of from the Competition Committee press conference, click here.

To view the Competition Committee’s Points of Emphasis for 2012, click here.

NFL players comment on punishment for bounty system

Minneapolis Star-Tribune, March 22, 2012

Minnesota Vikings players say NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell acted appropriately in punishing the New Orleans Saints for running a bounty program that rewarded players for injuring opponents, reported the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

“I think it was necessary because there needs to be strong punishment any time a coach or a player thinks they can take someone else’s career into their own hands and purposely do something that could end it,” defensive end Jared Allen said. “We all play hard. But to give bonuses for carting someone off the field? Man, that’s just wrong. There’s no place for that in the NFL, and I think it’s now safe to say you won’t be hearing about bounties in the NFL ever again.”

In addition to suspending several members of Saints management, Commissioner Goodell fined the team $500,000 and will dole out punishment to individual players involved in the bounty program next, according to the article.

“It shows everyone that Goodell is definitely serious about player safety,” defensive end Brian Robison said. “It’s a tough league, but what [the Saints] did was messing with health and livelihood of guys. Goodell doesn’t want to deal with this again. So he had to make an example of the Saints.”

For the complete story, click here.

LeBron James deflects concussion questions

ESPN, March 21, 2012

Miami Heat star LeBron James sustained a hit to the head in a game against the Phoenix Suns that some believe may have caused a concussion, reported ESPN. Although James took several minutes to get up from the court floor and recover, he returned to the game soon after and later told reporters that he was fine.

“No, I’m too tough for that,” said James, when asked whether he had sustained a concussion in his life.

According to the article, the NBA recently implemented a new rule that requires players who have sustained a concussion to pass several psychological tests at least 24 hours before returning to the court.

The Miami Heat said that James did not sustain a concussion and did not need to undergo testing. Other players including Kobe Bryant and Kyrie Irving have been tested under the new procedure in recent weeks.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL Competition Committee Chairman Discusses Past Season and Potential Changes for the Future

March 21, 2012

NFL Competition Committee Chairman Rich McKay held a national conference call to discuss the 2011 NFL season, rule proposals for the 2012 season, the Saints’ bounty program and the possibility of moving the league’s trade deadline.

To view a transcript of the entire call, click here.

NFL Announces Management Discipline in New Orleans Saints ‘Bounty’ Matter

March 21, 2012

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced plans to discipline the New Orleans Saints and its management for violating the league’s “bounty” rule and endangering player safety.

“We are all accountable and responsible for player health and safety and the integrity of the game,” Commissioner Goodell said. “We will not tolerate conduct or a culture that undermines those priorities. No one is above the game or the rules that govern it. Respect for the game and the people who participate in it will not be compromised.”

Disciplinary actions for individual players involved in the program are still under review, but the NFL has imposed the following measures on Saints management:

• The New Orleans Saints are fined $500,000. In addition, because the violation involves a competitive rule, the Saints will forfeit their selections in the second round of the 2012 and 2013 NFL drafts.

• Saints Head Coach Sean Payton is suspended without pay for the 2012 NFL season, effective April 1.

• Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis is suspended without pay for the first eight regular-season games of the 2012 season.

• Former Saints (and current St. Louis Rams) defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is suspended indefinitely from the NFL, effective immediately. Commissioner Goodell will review Coach Williams’ status at the conclusion of the 2012 season and consider whether to reinstate him, and, if so, on what terms. Commissioner Goodell said he will give close attention to the extent to which Coach Williams cooperates with the NFL in any further proceedings.

• Saints assistant Head Coach Joe Vitt is suspended without pay for the first six regular-season games of the 2012 season.

• The Saints and the individuals disciplined today are expected to participate in efforts led by the league office to develop programs that will instruct players and coaches at all levels of the game on the need for respect for the game and those who participate in it, on principles of fair play, safety and sportsmanship, and to ensure that bounties will not be part of football at any level.

“Beyond the clear and continuing violations of league rules, and lying to investigators, the bounty program is squarely contrary to the league’s most important initiatives – enhancing player health and safety and protecting the integrity of the game,” Commissioner Goodell said. “Let me be clear. There is no place in the NFL for deliberately seeking to injure another player, let alone offering a reward for doing so. Any form of bounty is incompatible with our commitment to create a culture of sportsmanship, fairness, and safety. Programs of this kind have no place in our game and we are determined that bounties will no longer be a part of the NFL.”

To view the entire press release, click here.

NCAA to fund concussion research

PR Newswire, March 14, 2012

The NCAA will fund a long-term study of the effects of concussions and other head injuries in sports players, according to a University of Michigan Health System press release. Researchers from across the country will follow more than 1,000 male and female athletes competing in 11 sports throughout their lifetimes.

“This study will be essential to improving our understanding of the risk to brain health for those who play sports,” said Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, a University of Michigan faculty member who will be involved. “There is no data like this, it’s groundbreaking. It will define the landscape.”

The National Sport Concussion Outcome Study Consortium, founded by researchers including Kevin Guskiewicz, chair of the NFL’s subcommittee on safety equipment and player rules, will run the study. The NCAA hopes that its $400,000 grant to fund the research will help discover the long and short-term neurological effects of playing sports, according to the release.

“There’s a tremendous need for data that describe both the short and long-term health consequences of concussions,” said Kutcher. “There are some hints, and a series of case reports in the literature, but no well-controlled study that addresses the long-term questions. To do that study, and do it correctly, requires following a population of athletes over time and documenting their brain function, while controlling for other variables.”

Researchers from the University of North Carolina, University of Michigan, University of California, Los Angeles and Medical College of Wisconsin will collaborate on the study.

For the complete story, click here.

Indianapolis area youth football players benefit from NFL health and safety event

VYPE Magazine, February/March Issue

The NFL and USA Football gathered professional football players and medical experts to speak to nearly 50 Indianapolis area youth football players about health and safety during Super Bowl week, reported Vype.

“The knowledge they gain now is essential. That is what is going to form habits as they get older,” said Gatorade Sports Science Institute expert Dr. Kim Stein, who spoke about heat illness and proper hydration. “The better they can form their nutrition and hydration habits now, the less they have to think about it as they get older. It will become routine, and with football hydration knowledge is so important.”

Throughout the day participants learned about proper helmet fitting, basic football skills and concussion awareness, according to the article. NFL players were on hand to enforce the message that professional athletes take health and safety seriously.

“Safety in general is the crux of what we are focusing on as a league right now,” said A. J. Edds, a Colts linebacker who spoke at the event. “This is a great way to get the message out. It’s a great way to get the kids involved and a great way to get people in the community involved and educated.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL Player Care Foundation sponsors health screenings for former players in Chicago

March 14, 2012

The NFL Player Care Foundation is sponsoring prostate cancer and cardiovascular health screenings for former NFL players, in partnership with the American Urological Association Foundation and the Boone Heart Institute. The private event will be held on Saturday, April 21, at the Mt. Sinai Hospital in Chicago.

Former players who would like more information or to schedule an appointment can contact Kimberly Miller of the American Urological Association Foundation at 410-371-1462, or via email at kmiller@auafoundation.org or Parker Boone of the Boone Heart Institute at 303-762-0710, or via email pboone@booneheart.com.

To learn more, click here.

Idaho passes youth concussion bill

Associated Press, March 13, 2012

A youth concussion bill requiring schools to develop rules to protect athletes from serious head injuries passed in the Idaho state House on Monday with NFL support, reported the Associated Press.

The new law, which passed 59-7, requires schools to develop policies to determine when an athlete should be removed from play after a hit to the head and when he or she can return based on CDC guidelines. The bill also mandates concussion education for coaches, players and parents, according to the article.

“We are proud that 31 states now have similar laws to protect youth athletes,” said Jeff Miller, the NFL’s senior vice president for government relations and public policy. “The vote today marks a significant victory for youth athletes in Idaho.”

For the complete story, click here.

NHL general managers say current concussion measures sufficient

Yahoo! Sports, March 12, 2012

NHL general managers believe the league has done all that it can to protect players from concussions without fundamentally changing hockey, reported Yahoo Sports.

“I don’t think this is something that’s getting worse,” said Jim Rutherford, general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes. “I think it’s something that the league’s on top of, and there’s not a lot more that I think we can do at this point.”

The league has made changes in recent years by introducing mandatory testing protocol for players who sustain hits to the head, creating a department of player safety, and outlawing targeted hits to the head. Brendan Shanahan, NHL vice president of player safety, points to recent games in which players have landed hits that are effective but not overly aggressive or illegal. The number of concussions in the league has leveled while the number of hits has remained constant, according to the article.

“If you look at the concussion issue, this is a full-contact sport,” said Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brian Burke. “We’re never going to get it to zero. It wouldn’t be worth watching if it were at zero. What we want to do is take out the unnecessary ones, the senseless ones, which I think Brendan Shanahan is doing.”

To learn more, click here.

NHL player says concussion risk is accepted given high pay

Sun Sentinel, March 12, 2012

Florida Panthers player Krys Barch spoke about his thoughts on the risks that NHL players accept in hockey, reported the Sun Sentinel.

“That’s part of the sport,” said Barch. “We get paid huge money to do it and most of the time you get paid big money it comes with a lot of risks involved and we’re compensated. We know that risk when we step on the ice so you go along with it, so everybody just shut up!”

NHL general managers are currently meeting to discuss further rule changes to improve player health and safety in the league, according to the article.

For the complete story, click here.

West Virginia youth concussion bill dies in House

Charleston Daily Mail, March 12, 2012

A youth concussion bill aimed to protect West Virginia children from head injuries died on Saturday after House members failed to agree on several details, reported the Charleston Daily Mail.

The bill would have required the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission to develop rules for handling head injuries and concussions in youth sports. The state Senate passed the bill 34-0 with the requirement that a student suspected of sustaining a concussion be evaluated by a health care provider before returning to play. Members of the House then disagreed on whether a volunteer health care provider should be given immunity from potential lawsuits related to the injury, according to the article.

“I’d rather them err on the side of caution,” said House Judiciary Chairman Tim Miley, requesting that the bill not provide immunity to medical professionals.

Sen. Ron Stollings, a Boone County doctor, remained adamant that the detail be left in the bill.

The disagreement, among others, was not resolved by the end of the legislative session.

For the complete story, click here.

Concussion history a factor for NFL free agents

Star Tribune, March 11, 2012

Vikings safety Husain Abdullah noted that his history of concussions in the past two NFL seasons may play a role in negotiations to sign him to teams in the future, reported the Star Tribune.

“I can definitely see why it would hurt,” Abdullah said. “Concussions get all the attention. It’s the hot topic. The NFL has increased the awareness of concussions and how it protects the players from coming back too soon. So that’s going to be the first thing teams want to look at if you have a history of concussions.”

According to the article, Abdullah signed with the Vikings in 2008 and sustained four concussions within 15 months, two of which took him off the field for extended periods of time. He considered retiring until being cleared by health care specialists.

“In today’s NFL, it’s a factor,” Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said. “You can’t ignore concussions anymore. It’s rare now that a guy gets a concussion and doesn’t miss a game, it seems. So you have to consider that part of a player’s history today. That’s just a fact.”

Abdullah would like to re-sign with the Vikings during free agency, which begins Tuesday. He cites a trustworthy team medical staff and his teammate’s familiarity with concussion symptoms as incentives to return.

“The Vikings did a great job of recognizing I was banged up and got me out of games,” Abdullah said. “Some guys get a concussion and go back in, and that’s when they get the hit that ends up being the huge blow that really causes damage. I’m thankful to the Vikings for that and, obviously, that’s a factor for someone like me when it comes to where I want to play.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL and medical organizations offer health screenings for retired players

Baylor College of Medicine, March 7, 2012

The NFL Player Care Foundation, Baylor College of Medicine, the American Urological Care Foundation and the Boone Heart Institute joined forces to offer cardiovascular and prostate health screenings to former NFL players, reported Baylor College of Medicine.

“This is one of the most important things the NFL does for its former players,” said David Carter, former lineman for the Houston Oilers and president of the NFL Alumni Association’s Houston Chapter. “A lot of guys experience health issues after their playing careers, and getting these screenings can be a real life saver. We’re very appreciative to Baylor, also, for participating in this program.”

These health screening events provide retired players with important check-ups they might ordinarily avoid, and also offer chances to network with others who share common backgrounds, according to the article.

“It’s great to come together with others who shared the same experience that you did,” Carter said. “The atmosphere is fun – not at all like going to the doctor.”

For the complete story, click here.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin criticizes bounty program

Star Ledger, March 7, 2012

New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin says while football is and has been a physical sport, intentionally injuring another player is an extreme that has no place in the game, reported the Star Ledger.

“We all know that it is a very, very tough, very physical, very, very demanding game but to have the game at its highest level it’s this kind of great competitive effort and physical play that is the very top of the talent level of the game is what the game is all about,” said Coughlin. “It’s not about trying to inflict purposeful injury on another player. It has no point in this game.”

According to the article, Coughlin believes that the program threatens players’ abilities to perform at their highest levels, which is the foundation of what makes football popular.

“It’s a physically demanding game no matter how you look at it. Injuries do appear, do occur…” Coughlin said. ”But to take it to an extreme, like has been discussed here with this bounty system, has no place in the game.”

For the complete story, click here.

Op-ed: Football bounty programs “despicable”

Wall Street Journal, March 6, 2012

Former NFL player Fran Tarkenton criticized those involved with the Saints bounty scandal and called for defensive coordinator Gregg Loomis to be let go in an opinion editorial for the Wall Street Journal. Loomis helped coordinate a bounty program for the Saints which violated NFL policies by rewarding players for performance and injuring opponents.

According to the article, the bounty program rewarded players who knocked an opponent out of the game with $1,500 and $1,000 if the opponent had to be carted off of the field. Bounties were also placed on individual opponents including Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre.

For the complete story, click here.

John Madden: NFL will punish bounty program players

Los Angeles Times, March 6, 2012

NFL Hall of Fame coach John Madden said that he expects NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to deliver serious punishments for those involved in the New Orleans Saints bounty program which paid players for performance, reported the Los Angeles Times.

“When [Goodell] does something and he gets them — and I don’t know what the discipline is — but I’ll tell you what, when he puts some teeth in the rules or whatever he’s going to do, it won’t happen again,” said Madden. “It will be gone.”

The NFL has yet to announce a punishment for the team following the conclusion of an investigation into the scandal that was announced Friday. Several team employees and players were reportedly involved with the program which offered players monetary rewards for knocking opponents out of the game.

“The cart-off and knockout and those things, that surprised me,” Madden said. “I didn’t think that was in the culture. Obviously, it doesn’t belong in the culture, and I know the commissioner is going to get it out.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL supports youth concussion bill in Idaho

Associated Press, March 5, 2012

Former Boise State University Broncos football player Matt Kaiserman is working with the NFL to lobby for the passage of a youth sports concussion bill in Idaho, reported the Associated Press.

Kaiserman, whose football career was cut short after sustaining a hit to the head during a game in 2010, now lends his voice to the NFL’s effort to transform the culture surrounding concussions in contact sports. He spoke to Idaho lawmakers on Monday about the need to make a change, according to the article.

“It’s OK to be tough, but we’ve got to understand our limits,” said Kaiserman. “In no situation should the value of the game be higher than the value of human life.”

If passed, the new legislation in Idaho will ensure health professionals determine when a player is ready to return to play following a concussion.

“We need to take those decisions away from the athletes, the coaches and their parents and put them in the hands of health care providers,” said Dr. Caroline Faure, an Idaho State University professor and concussion expert.. “If we’d had these policies in place already, there are at least two or three cases of catastrophic injury that wouldn’t have occurred. Right now, it’s a guessing game.”

For the complete story, click here.

Teen develops football helmet impact sensor

Los Angeles Times, March 5, 2012

California high school freshman Braeden Benedict has developed a simple, inexpensive device that is intended to detect high impact hits to the head in football helmets, reported the Los Angeles Times. Benedict won $25,000 for the device at a national science contest and it is now being patented.

Benedict, a fullback, safety and kicker on his school football team, began brainstorming ideas for the device after seeing teammates suffer lasting headaches after taking hits to the head. He eventually developed a small packet of red dye that can be attached to helmets and bursts open after a hard hit. A small white patch on the outside of the helmet collects the dye and changes colors, alerting coaches on the sideline of a player’s possible injury.

“I wanted to come up with something simple and low-cost,” said Benedict. “Something that tells you to get out of the game and get checked.”

According to the article, researchers have been studying sports-related head injuries and helmet technologies for years now, but progress has been slow in the complex field.

“We’re trying to figure out all of the factors for a concussive injury,” said Kevin Guskiewicz, a University of North Carolina professor and chair of the NFL’s subcommittee on safety equipment and playing rules. “It has been rather elusive.

For the complete story, click here.

Op-Ed: Australian Football League needs better regulation to prevent head injuries

The Age, March 4, 2012

Discussions about facial fractures and concussions will continue as the Australian Football League (AFL) prepares to start its next season, according to an op-ed in The Age.

Head injuries have been on the rise in the AFL during recent seasons, and several players have sought compensation for brain damage and vision loss sustained during their careers, according to the article. Some point to players becoming faster and stronger with modern training regimens, making the game more intense and dangerous hits more common.

”It’s frightening the size of them,” said former Fremantle midfielder Luke Toia about today’s football players. “It’d be like a steam train running into you.”

According to the author of the article, the AFL must slow the game down by enforcing rules without compromise in order to reduce injuries.

For the complete story, click here.

Former MLS star promotes concussion awareness in soccer

Los Angeles Times, March 3, 2012

Major League Soccer’s former most valuable player Taylor Twellman has established ThinkTaylor, a foundation providing education, support and fundraising aimed at eliminating sports-related brain injuries, reported the Los Angeles Times.

According to the article, Twellman was forced to retire from soccer early in 2009 after effects from a concussion sustained in a 2008 game did not subside. He has since partnered with the MLS, U.S. Soccer and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America to raise awareness among youth athletes, coaches and parents of the dangers of concussions in soccer.

“I don’t want anyone to be me. I’m 30 years old, and I’ve got to deal with this serious, serious injury for the rest of my life,” said Twellman. “If I knew what I know now in 2008, I might still be playing.”

USA Hockey recently increased the age at which a player can check an opponent from 11 to 13 years old and banned hits to the head altogether. Twellman would like to see a similar measure applied to heading in youth soccer.

“Why, at ages 6 [through] 11 — when your brain is still developing — why are we heading the ball?” asked Twellman. “Have you ever gone to an under-11 game? How many times do they head the ball? Rarely.”

Recent studies have found that soccer players at the high school level and below face the greatest risk of injuries since their bodies are still developing and the quality of coaching and competition vary greatly, according to the article.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL discloses “bounty rule” violation investigation findings

March 2, 2012

The NFL released findings from an investigation into a “bounty” program run by the New Orleans Saints during the 2009-11 seasons which rewarded players with money for performance and inflicting injuries on opposing players. The program was in direct violation of the league’s Constitution and By-Laws, as well as its Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL Players Association.

“It is our responsibility to protect player safety and the integrity of our game, and this type of conduct will not be tolerated,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We have made significant progress in changing the culture with respect to player safety and we are not going to relent. We have more work to do and we will do it.”

The investigation found that between 22 and 27 defensive players on the New Orleans Saints team contributed money to the bounty before games during the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons.

The investigation included the review of approximately 18,000 documents, interviews with a wide range of individuals, and the use of outside forensic experts to verify the authenticity of key documents.

Discipline for the Saints may include fines and suspensions as well as forfeiture of draft choices.

To view a press release about the issue, click here.

Scientists testing new brain injury diagnostic tool

Associated Press, March 2, 2012

Scientists are testing a novel MRI-based diagnostic tool for traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), reported the Associated Press. The technique, called high-definition fiber tracking, could become the first tool to visualize damage from hits to the head.

“We now have, for the first time, the ability to make visible these previously invisible wounds,” says Walter Schneider of the University of Pittsburgh, who is leading development of the experimental scan. “If you cannot see or quantify the damage, it is hard to treat it.”

According to the article, about 1.7 million people sustain TBIs in the U.S. every year. Some of these injuries are mild, and do not cause lasting damage, but others result in severe disabilities. There is currently no proven method to diagnose the damage.

High-definition fiber tracking maps the communication network fibers of the brain in vivid colors that correspond to their functions. Researchers hope to use the images to detect breaks in the fibers of TBI patients and determine what functions may be impaired.

As researchers work to perfect diagnostic tools for TBIs, Dr. Rocco Armonda, a neurosurgeon at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, hopes that precautions to protect the brain become commonplace.

“What makes the biggest difference is everybody – little kids riding their bicycles, athletes playing sports, soldiers at war – is aware of TBI,” he says.

For the complete story, click here.

Study: Concussions affect teenagers most

Education Week, February 29, 2012

A Universite de Montreal study published in Brain Injury on Tuesday found that teenagers ages 13-16 feel the effects of concussions more severely than children ages 9-12, reported Education Week.

The study evaluated the working memory of 96 athletes of all ages, half of whom had sustained a sports-related concussion in the past year but were asymptomatic, with neuropsychological and electrophysiological tests. All of the athletes had working memory deficits six months after their injuries according to electrophysiological tasks, but only teenagers experienced deficits according to both tests.

“The frontal regions of the brain are more vulnerable to concussions,” Dr. Dave Ellemberg, a professor at the university’s Department of Kinesiology. “These areas oversee executive functions responsible for planning, organizing, and managing information. During adolescence, these functions are developing rapidly, which makes them more fragile to stress and trauma.”

The results also suggested that an athlete’s brain may not be fully healed even after he or she stops experiencing symptoms, according to the article.

For the complete story, click here.

Kobe Bryant returns to play after concussion testing

ESPN.com, February 29, 2012

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was cleared by a neurologist to return to the court on Wednesday after sustaining a concussion and nasal fracture in Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game, reported ESPN.com.

“Kobe has been seen on a number of occasions today,” said neurologist Dr. Vern Williams before the game. “He’s been examined and reevaluated and he’s gone through every one of the specific tests that we’ve required him to go through and he’s passed them all with flying colors. He’s been asymptomatic, or symptom-free, as well today. Although he’s had a somewhat accelerated step-wise return to play, he has satisfied, to our satisfaction, a step-wise return to play.”

Before being cleared, Bryant passed several evaluations in line with the NBA’s new concussion policy enacted before the 2011-12 season, according to the article. Williams and Lakers trainers administered a neurological exam, a baseline test for concussion management and stationary bike and treadmill tests. They also monitored Bryant during an on-court 2-on-2 scrimmage.

Although Bryant reported concussion-like symptoms on Tuesday, Williams said they were likely a result of a neck strain rather than a head injury.

“My opinion was that the overwhelming majority, the significant majority, of his symptoms on Tuesday were related to that cervical (related) headache, or whiplash kind of effect,” Williams said. “He looks good right now. We’ve cleared him to return. We will watch him very carefully and we’ll see how he does.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL supports Florida youth concussion bill

Associated Press, February 29, 2012

Miami Dolphins representative and former wide receiver Nat Moore and the NFL are urging the Florida Senate to pass a bill designed to protect youth athletes across the state from concussions, reported the Associated Press.

If passed, the bill will require any student suspected of sustaining a concussion to be removed from play and kept off the field until being cleared by a health care professional.

The Florida High School Athletic Association also supports the bill, which will go before Gov. Rick Scott if passed in the Senate.

For the complete story, click here.

Hockey leagues consider fighting ban

New York Times, February 27, 2012

Growing concern about the dangers of head trauma in sports is leading amateur hockey leagues USA Hockey and Hockey Canada, as well as several major junior leagues, to consider a ban on fighting, reported the New York Times.

“The appetite is there,” said David Branch, the president of the Canadian Hockey League, which oversees the Ontario Hockey League, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League, which feed players into the NHL. “The time is certainly right to move forward.”

A debate about the survivability of hockey without fighting has been waged between fans for years, according to the article. It has become an increasingly public issue for the NHL and hockey in general as concussion awareness has risen and four deceased ex-NHL players have been found to have CTE, a brain disease linked to repetitive head trauma.

“One of the causes of concussions is fighting,” Branch said. “And I believe that there is more and more recognition that our game does not need fighting to survive, to be part of the entertainment package.”

USA Hockey’s Junior Council discussed emergency legislation in January that would impose a system in which players involved in fights are ejected from games and given progressive suspensions for repeat offenses.

“A switch has been flipped within the United States to address the fighting issue in junior hockey,” said John Vanbiesbrouck, a former NHL goalie who leads the Junior Council.

For the complete story, click here.

Study: Majority of hits in youth football occur during practices

Education Week, February 22, 2012

Unlike high school and college football players, youth players typically experience their hardest hits during practice, according to a new joint Virginia Tech-Wake Forest study, reported Education Week.

The study, published in the Annals of Biomedical Engineering, used helmets equipped with accelerometers to examine 748 impacts that seven players, ages 7 and 8, sustained during one season. Roughly 60 percent of all recorded impacts occurred during practices, and of the 38 impacts with high-level force, 29 occurred during practices, according to the article.

The study’s authors suggest that practice methods should be altered to eliminate high impact drills that result in frequent hits and do not reflect game situations. They recommend that coaches shift their focus to “practicing fundamental skill sets needed in football at these young ages.”

According to the article, this was the first-ever study to examine the impact of hits to the head in youth football, and the researchers will further their work in 2012 with a larger study.

“In 2011 we collected the first data on one team of youth football players. This new study for 2012 allows for dramatically increased sample size and head exposure mapping for all age groups,” said Virginia Tech professor of biomedical engineering and project director Stefan Duma in a statement.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL supports youth concussion law in Wisconsin

Associated Press, February 22, 2012

Former Green Bay Packer offensive lineman Mark Tauscher spoke at a news conference Wednesday in support of a bill in the Wisconsin Legislature that aims to reduce youth concussions in sports, reported the Associated Press. Tauscher joins a growing list of NFL players who have participated in similar events across the country.

Tauscher addressed the doctors, student athletes and lawmakers in attendance about his 11 year career with the Packers and the stigma that used to exist around sitting out for concussions. “We, as players, have never understood the consequences of what’s going on,” he said, acknowledging that awareness of the injury is on the rise but that more education initiatives are needed.

If passed, the bill will require the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association to provide information about the risks of head injuries and concussions to coaches, athletes and parents. It will also require coaches to remove a player suspected of sustaining a concussion from play until being evaluated by a health care provider, according to the article.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NCAA President Mark Emmert sent joint letters promoting concussion legislation in January to Wisconsin and the 18 other states that have not yet passed similar laws.

Kenneth Edmonds, the NFL’s director of government relations and public policy, said that reducing concussions in the NFL and youth sports is a priority for the league.

For the complete story, click here.

Concussion concerns in NASCAR

Associated Press, February 21, 2012

Increased awareness of the dangers of concussions in professional sports has caused retired NASCAR drivers to reflect on the impact of head injuries in racing, reported the Associated Press.

“I whacked my head — a lot,” said retired driver Michael Waltrip. “If you think about this, I showed up in ’85, when it was relatively ‘safe.’ We thought we had it figured out. I raced all the way through 2001 when people were getting killed. And all through that time, I was hitting my head and knocking myself out and getting concussions and going to the hospital. And I don’t know what that means to me in 10 years. But I know it’s a concern.”

NASCAR has taken steps to prevent and better treat head injuries sustained during racing accidents, according to the article. Drivers now wear head and neck restraints, and impact-absorbing barriers have been installed on racetrack walls. Helmets have also been redesigned to better absorb impacts to the head.

“If I’m Kasey Kahne or Kyle Busch, I don’t have those concerns anymore,” Waltrip said. “We’ve got the cars and the tracks, we’ve got it all fixed. You can still get hurt. You’re running 200 miles an hour. But the chances of getting hurt are slimmer. The chances of hitting your head and hurting it are really slim.”

According to the article, NASCAR officials claim that 29 concussions have been identified in their top three series since 2004, and only 11 of those have occurred during the past five seasons.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL health and safety forum calls for culture change to reduce concussions

Associated Press, February 16, 2012

Chicago Bears chairman George H. McCaskey stressed the importance of changing the culture of football to reduce concussions at an NFL youth health and safety forum Wednesday, reported the Associated Press. McCaskey addressed Chicago-area high school coaches and players at the forum along with Dr. Hunt Batjer, co-chair of the NFL Head Neck and Spine Committee, Dr. Elizabeth Pieroth of the Midwest Center for Concussion Care, Bears trainer Chris Hanks, and long snapper Patrick Mannelly.

“There’s a warrior mentality, and this is exactly the reason we are here today,” said McCaskey, addressing questions about Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, who recently told HBO that he would hide concussion symptoms from doctors to remain in play.

The speakers at the forum asked players reject this mentality and embrace safety precautions in order to prevent serious injuries. They urged attendees to be honest with their coaches and teammates about medical symptoms, and to look out for each other on the field.

“This isn’t something (where) you play hurt,” Mannelly said. “This is your life.”

For the complete story, click here

Bears youth health and safety forum focuses on concussions

Pro Football Weekly, February 16, 2012

Concussions took top bill at a youth health and safety forum hosted by representatives from the NFL and Chicago Bears at Halas Hall on Wednesday, reported Pro Football Weekly. The event is the latest in the NFL’s effort to increase awareness of brain injuries in sports.

“We, as players and coaches, need to change the culture of concussions,” said Bears long snapper Patrick Mannelly. “I can remember sitting at your guys’ age. If you had a concussion, it was almost like you were a wimp. …It’s not that way anymore. We know a lot more about it. We know the severity of it. We know that repetitive concussions can really lead to some serious damage.”

Dr. Hunt Batjer, a co-chair of the NFL’s Head Neck and Spine Committee, addressed changes that have been made at the league level to minimize head injuries. He cited a 50 percent reduction in concussions during moving kickoffs after the league moved them from the 30- to the 35-yard line.

According to the article, the event was attended by more than 50 football coaches and players from about 25 Chicago area high schools. The NFL intends to hold similar events in all 32 cities that host an NFL team.

“The goal is to spread as much education as we can,” said league spokesperson Clare Graff about the youth fan event.  “We have a host of experts at the team level and at the league level and these teams are so embedded in their communities that it’s a good way to bring together our experts, team experts with the youth athletes that look up to the teams as the center point of their communities.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL doctors and Chicago Bears hold youth health and safety forum

February 15, 2012

Medical experts and representatives from the Chicago Bears and NFL addressed a group of more than 50 youth football players and 25 coaches from across Chicagoland today in a fan forum focused on player health and safety.

Bears chairman George H. McCaskey, long snapper Patrick Mannelly and athletic trainer Chris Hanks attended the event along with Dr. Hunt Batjer, co-chair of the NFL’s Head Neck and Spine Committee, and Dr. Elizabeth Pieroth of the Midwest Center for Concussion Care. The group addressed safety matters facing youth players and discussed ways the NFL is making sports safer for all athletes.

Expert discusses rule changes to reduce football injuries

Charlotte Observer, February 12, 2012

Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz of the University of North Carolina and chair of the NFL’s subcommittee on safety equipment is involved in discussions with the NFL, NCAA and National Federation of High School Associations about possible rule changes at all levels of football that would make the game safer, reported the Charlotte Observer.

Changes under debate include moving the kickoff line further up the field, eliminating kickoffs altogether, eliminating the three-point stance, requiring better helmets and increasing scrutiny over helmets that come off during games. Those changes that risk drastically altering the game, including the elimination of kickoffs and the three-point stance, are less likely to be made at this time. All updates would be designed to minimize injuries including concussions, according to the article.

Guskiewicz hopes that information collected on past injuries and rule changes will guide the decision making process.

“Let’s look at the data, see what is happening and then react to what we know,” Guskiewicz said.

For the complete story, click here.

Concussion experts disagree on allowing youth athletes to play contact sports

Charlotte Observer, February 12, 2012

Drs. Kevin Guskiewicz and Robert Cantu, two of the world’s pre-eminent authorities on sports-related concussions, disagree on whether children less than 14 years of age can safely play collision sports including football, reported the Charlotte Observer.

“Players can learn the proper techniques of blocking and tackling when they are 9, 10, 11,” said Guskiewicz. “That skill development is crucial. I think it would be good for young players to have the opportunity to learn those skills against other players closer to their size and age.”

But Cantu, an advisor to the NFL’s Head Neck and Spine Committee, of which Guskiewicz is a member, views the issue differently.

“It doesn’t make sense to me to be subjecting young individuals to traumatic head injury,” said Cantu. “There’s no head injury that’s a good one, and you can’t play collision sports without accumulating head injuries. To allow children to play with no informed consent of the dangers is inexcusable. To allow children to play in collision sports with the rules as they are written should not be allowed.”

Cantu is co-director of the Boston University School of Medicine’s Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy, which has discovered CTE, a degenerative brain disease thought to be caused by repetitive head trauma, in the brains of deceased athletes including former professional and youth football players. Guskiewicz is co-director of the Matthew Gfeller Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Research Center and research director for the Center for the Study of Retired Athletes and has contributed to concussion guidelines recommended by the National Athletic Trainers Association and the American College of Sports Medicine.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL and former players back Georgia youth concussion bill

Associated Press, February 8, 2012

Former Falcons kicker Matt Bryant and linebacker Buddy Curry provided testimony in support of a youth concussion bill in Georgia Thursday, reported the Associated Press. The players joined the NFL in backing House Bill 673, which would educate youth players, their coaches and parents about the dangers of head injuries.

“I’ve probably had concussions and didn’t know it,” Bryant told a panel of Georgia House representatives in the hearing. “The whole education part of this is important.”

According to the article, the language of Bill 673 is still being finalized, but will resemble Washington state’s Zackery Lystedt Law. The Lystedt Law was named after a middle school player who suffered brain damage after returning to play too soon after sustaining a concussion. It requires players who show signs of a concussion to be removed from the field until being evaluated and cleared by a licensed health care professional.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL Player Care Foundation sponsors health screenings for former players in Texas

February 8, 2012

The NFL Player Care Foundation is sponsoring prostate cancer and cardiovascular health screenings for former NFL players, in partnership with the American Urological Association Foundation and the Boone Heart Institute. The private event will be held on Saturday, March 3, at the Baylor Clinic in Houston.

Former players who would like more information or to schedule an appointment can contact Kimberly Miller of the American Urological Association Foundation at 410-371-1462, or via email at kmiller@auafoundation.org or Parker Boone of the Boone Heart Institute at 303-762-0710, or via email pboone@booneheart.com.

To learn more, click here.

NFL supports Georgia youth concussion bill

Atlanta Journal-Constitution, February 8, 2012

The NFL, along with former Falcons players Buddy Curry and Matt Bryant are scheduled to speak in support of a bill designed to address concussions in youth sports at the Georgia Concussion Coalition today, reported the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Current Falcons players Andrew Jackson and Kevin Cone will also lend support to the bill, which focuses on educating coaches and athletic directors about head injuries. Kenneth Edmonds, the NFL’s director of government relations and public policy will represent the league at the hearing.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NCAA president Mark Emmert sent a joint letter supporting the bill.

For the complete story, click here.

New football chin-strap detects dangerous hits

Boston Globe, February 6, 2012

Patriots running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis wears a newly designed chin strap that claims to measure the impact of hits to the head and alerts coaches, trainers and officials if a player needs to leave the field for medical attention, reported the Boston Globe.

“I’m really wearing it just to improve the awareness for parents and things like that,’’ said Green-Ellis. “You see all the concussion hits that have been going on in the NFL, and I just want to bring up the awareness.’’

The Impact Indicator, made by Battle Sports Science, uses sensor technology to calculate the force and duration of hits to the helmet. If the force surpasses a certain level, a light in the strap starts blinking, and officials on the sidelines are alerted.

According to the article, Green-Ellis hopes the strap can ease the fears of parents of young football players during games.

“You see your child out there, you don’t really know what’s really going on, but if you can see the light is blinking, then you can have a coach or somebody check them out,’’ Green-Ellis said. “It can do more for concussion tests because it’s something that’s really been serious.’’

Green-Ellis claims that the chin strap feels no different than ordinary equipment.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL and Army join forces to fight concussions

FOX News, February 6, 2012

U.S. Army Chief of Staff General Ray Odierno spoke with Fox News about the Army partnering with the NFL to further traumatic brain injury research and remove the stigma of reporting concussions among football players and military personnel.

It’s a relationship that’s important for the military.

“We have the same ethos,” said Gen. Odierno. “Soldiers sometimes don’t want to admit that they have brain injuries. It’s an invisible injury. And the NFL players are sometimes the same way, so we want to come up with ways to communicate to them that it’s important that if they are having a problem that they come forward because it has long term impacts.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL leads Wisconsin youth concussion legislation support

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 6, 2012

The NFL, Green Bay Packers and several Wisconsin hospitals and healthcare associations will lead support for a youth concussion bill that was passed in the Wisconsin State Assembly last year but has not yet passed the Senate, reported the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The bill calls for the state Department of Public Instruction and the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association to develop educational materials about head injuries and concussions in youth athletics for coaches, athletes and their parents. It also stipulates that any player suspected of sustaining a concussion be removed from play until they are evaluated and cleared by a trained health care provider, according to the article.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NCAA president Mark Emmert sent a joint letter backing the bill to Gov. Scott Walker in January.

The NFL’s director of government relations and public policy Kenneth Edmonds said that the league hopes the bill “will raise awareness and protect youth athletes in the state from the risks of concussions and other preventable brain injuries. We understand and accept our responsibility and role as the nation’s most popular sports league and want to help make sports safer for all athletes, of all ages. That’s why we support this legislation.”

For the complete story, click here.

Commentary: NFL health and safety

USA Today, February 5, 2012

The NFL has made clear progress in player safety, and is focused on continued safety enhancements, notes Gary Mihoces in a recent USA Today column.

According to the article, the NFL increased disciplinary actions including fines for illegal hits to the head and neck in 2010. Under the latest collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association, teams are also limited to no more than one full-contact practice a week. In 2011 the league mandated sideline concussion evaluation procedures including stipulation that a player who has suffered a concussion be removed from the game, among other policy changes.

Mihoces questions whether these measures have gone too far, but finds that most players and league personnel have come to understand the importance of the new rules.

“I think that if a guy gets concussed, and he fails the sideline test, he’s not going to be put back in,” said Dr. Richard Ellenbogen, co-chair of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee and a University of Washington neurosurgeon. “In the last two years, the commissioner has gotten out his mantra of safety first. No one trumps the doctor.”

Atlanta Falcons CEO Rich McKay, chairman of the NFL Competition Committee, says rules are rules. “To the extent that a penalty decides a game, that’s not the way anybody wants a game decided, but it does happen in our league,” McKay says.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL Super Bowl ad highlights evolution of game rules

NFL, February 5, 2012

The NFL will air a commercial during the Super Bowl that showcases historic rule changes and equipment updates that have made the game safer over the past century.

The NFL’s history of addressing health and safety issues is depicted in the 60 second spot. Changes in the game are illustrated as actors portraying NFL fan favorites including Gale Sayers and Ollie Matson are shown during an extended kick return. Game changes featured in the commercial include a leather helmet morphing into plastic, while banned techniques, such as a face mask grab, and formations such as the wedge evolve into today’s play action.

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis provides the voiceover, which concludes with: “Here’s to making the next century safer and more exciting. Forever forward. Forever football.”

An accompanying website to the commercial, NFL.com/Evolution, was launched on Super Bowl Sunday. The website offers viewers the ability to experience an interactive timeline of the rule changes and equipment updates highlighted in the commercial.

To view the commercial and interactive timeline, visit NFL.com/Evolution.
To learn more about how rule changes are made, visit the Safety Rules & Regulations page.

Editorial: NFL advocating youth athlete head protection

Sun Journal, February 4, 2012

The NFL is promoting legislation in Maine to protect student athletes from head injuries, reported the Sun Journal Editorial Board.

Former Patriots linebacker Andre Tippett recently spent time in Maine in support of LD 98, a resolve requesting the Commissioner of Education to adopt a proposal for managing head injuries in sports. If passed, the resolve would mandate a standard response for all suspected head injuries in the state’s schools, provide education to parents and players and ban injured students from returning to play until they have been cleared by a medical professional.

For the complete story, click here.

Commentary: NFL must change concussion culture

Washington Post, February 1, 2012

The NFL has made player health and safety  a priority in recent years, improving equipment and enforcing new rules, but must continue working to change league culture in order to reduce concussions, wrote Washington Post columnist Mike Wise.

Even with more robust concussion policies in place this season, Browns quarterback Colt McCoy returned to the field without a sideline concussion evaluation just two plays after sustaining a serious helmet-to-helmet blow from Steelers linebacker James Harrison. Soon after, the NFL stated that independently certified athletic trainers would monitor concussion-related injuries from the sidelines at all games.

Former NFL coach and commentator John Madden also spoke to the need for ongoing culture change, noting “… that was the kind of thinking: don’t hurt your ankle, don’t hurt your knee where you can’t run, or don’t hurt your shoulder where you can’t tackle, but your head? Heck, that’ll clear up in a couple minutes and you’ll be okay. But we were all that way. When I went into broadcasting, I still had that…I probably said a lot of dumb things as a broadcaster. And if I were to do either one of them over again, I wouldn’t do it again.”

Col. Geoffrey Ling of DARPA, the Department of Defense’s research and development office, and a member of the NFL’s Head Neck and Spine Committee, has compared NFL players’ experience with concussions with that of troops.

“The real difference is, in the military our line commanders are held responsible if they aren’t taken off the line,” Ling said. “It goes right up the chain of command, which basically means that the medic can go and do their job. You can understand the pressures perhaps on the line leaders saying, ‘Oh, man, I might lose a couple of these guys, like the radio operator. I can’t lose him.’ But they realize that him impaired probably puts your unit more at risk then him flat-out not being there. The point is that now we’ve taken the onus off the individual patient to say, ‘I am sick.’”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL to highlight player safety in Super Bowl ad

New York Times, January 30, 2012

The NFL will focus on player health and safety during the Super Bowl with a 60 second commercial and accompanying website, reported the New York Times. The league will highlight rule and equipment changes made over the years to protect players.

“It is your biggest stage, you’ve got a massive audience, a massive casual audience, and this topic is probably one of [the] most important topics for casual fans, particularly mothers,” Mark Waller, the NFL’s chief marketing officer, said about the decision forgo more traditional league commercials for the health and safety message. “And so the possibility that we could actually address the issue in a constructive, engaging way with that audience makes it definitely worth the challenge. It’s a risk, without a doubt.”

According to the Times the commercial will showcase the evolution of NFL rules and safety equipment through one extended kick return depicted by actors portraying retired Hall of Fame players. It will conclude with Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis stating: “Here’s to making the next century safer and more exciting. Forever forward. Forever football.”

The league has also developed a new website, nfl.com/evolution, which will launch the day of the Super Bowl and feature an interactive timeline.

The article also noted a drop in the number of preseason and regular-season concussions in the NFL from 2010 to 2011. The decrease has been attributed to several changes to rules and new monitoring procedures such as video equipment to review injuries on sidelines. The number of days of missed play due to concussion has increased from half a day in 2006, to three days in 2009 and up to six days for the current season.

“One year is just that, it’s one year; we’re not declaring victory over concussions,” said Jeff Pash, the N.F.L.’s executive vice president and general counsel. “We still need to make sure that we don’t have underreporting. There are some players who I suspect are reluctant to report — we’ve seen statements to that effect. We want to encourage players and medical staffs to be alert to the issue. Over all, if the data continues this way, it will suggest that changes in rules enforcement have been constructive and helpful.”

For the complete story, click here.

CNN report looks at preventing concussions in football

CNN, January 29, 2012

Dr. Sanjay Gupta produced “Big Hits, Broken Dreams,” a special report investigating the dangers of concussions, after examining a high school student experiencing serious neurological side effects from a concussion he sustained playing football. The case eventually drove Gupta to investigate other similar stories in youth football and search for ways to protect players without changing the essence of the game.

“…I love football as much as anyone,” wrote Gupta in CNN’s health blog, The Chart. “Over the last year, however, I have learned there are ways to play football more safely, and still have football be…football. There are ways to play football more safely, and still win. Whether it is the mandatory presence of athletic trainers who can diagnose concussions and are empowered to sit a player out, or it is fewer practices with full gear and repeated drills involving hits to the head – there are so many simple things that can be done to preserve the game, and the men who play it.”

For the complete story, click here.

Police investigate high school sports program

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, January 26, 2012

Police in Pennsylvania are investigating a complaint that someone in the Peters Township High School football program is allowing children to play sports with concussions, reported the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

According to the article, the police department contacted the district superintendent to request documents related to complaints that football coach Rich Piccinini was preventing athletic trainers from properly treating injured players, including those with brain injuries. Piccinini said that he will offer no comment on the investigation, but the school district intends to fully cooperate with police.

Mark Mortland, a physical therapist and athletic trainer who has served the district since 2003 and previously worked with the Pittsburgh Penguins, questioned Piccinini’s coaching methods and claimed that he has undermined trainers and asked players with broken bones, concussions and other injuries to continue playing. Mortland claimed that Piccinini’s actions were “the most deplorable, disrespectful and disgraceful behavior from a head coach in any sport I have ever seen.”

When the new investigation is complete, police will meet with the county district attorney’s office to determine whether criminal charges should be made.

For the complete story, click here.

Urlacher discusses using Toradol

Chicago Tribune, January 25, 2012

Chicago bears linebacker Brian Urlacher is recovering from a sprained knee without the use of Toradol, an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever commonly used in sports, reported the Chicago Tribune.

Urlacher spoke with the Tribune about his recent injury and use of Toradol throughout his career. He estimates having used the medicine 50-60 times over the course of 12 years when necessary, and claims that it has never caused him problems. He also says that he does not know of any teammates abusing the substance.

“I hear all these guys saying it makes them high for five hours,” Urlacher said. “I’ve never felt that. Maybe they are getting a different dose than we’re getting. I’ve never felt like a different person. When I take it, my body just feels loose, if that makes sense. Like I’m warm. It doesn’t make me feel like I could do things I otherwise couldn’t do.”

“Toradol is many times more potent than ibuprofen,” said Lynn Webster, a pain physician and the medical director of Lifetree Clinical Research in Salt Lake City. “It’s an excellent analgesic, a tremendous anti-inflammatory, but it can’t be used continuously…You might be able to get by with a once a week injection for a long time. I don’t know of any research that says you can’t do that.”

For the complete story, click here.

 Ex-NFL player supports Maine concussion bill

Associated Press, January 25, 2012

Retired Patriots star linebacker Andre Tippett visited Maine’s Capitol to support a bill aimed at establishing uniform protocol for school districts handling youth athlete concussions, reported the Associated Press. The bill is endorsed by the NFL and would require the state Education Department to adopt a policy requiring any student suspected of sustaining a concussion to be removed from play until receiving written clearance to return.

“NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has made player health and safety his No. 1 priority, and that extends not just to the terrific athletes you see on the NFL playing fields on Sunday or Monday nights, but that extends to youth athletes of all ages, both sexes, and all sports,” said David Krichavsky of the NFL.

“I think what we’re trying to do here in Maine (is to) educate our families, players and coaches, make everybody accountable for the well-being and health of our young kids,” said Tippett.

If the bill is passed, Maine will become the latest of about 30 states to take action addressing head injuries, according to the article.

For the complete story, click here.

Tulane University joins NFL neurological care program

Associated Press, January 25, 2012

Tulane University has joined the NFL’s Neurological Care Program for retired players, reported the Associated Press.

The university will now work with several institutions already involved in the program to provide retired NFL players with access to neurological evaluations and treatments for the brain and spine. The program was established in 2010 by the NFL and NFL Alumni Association.

For the complete story, click here.

To view a press release about the partnership, click here.

Giants avoid discipline for concussion comments

New York Times, January 24, 2012

The NFL will not discipline Giants players for making commenting that they targeted an opposing player with a history of concussions, reported the New York Times.

After the Giants victory over the 49ers on Sunday, several players said they aimed to knock 49ers punt returner Kyle Williams out of the game knowing that he recently sustained head injuries. Claims of targeting hits to Williams’ head were dismissed by the Giants during a press conference later in the week.

“Obviously, we consider ourselves to be a physical group and we want to hit everybody,” said Giants defensive end Justin Tuck. “But I don’t think we’ve ever talked about knocking anybody out with concussions or anything like that. We kind of stay away from that.”

Giants linebacker Michael Boley added, “We didn’t talk about it. Concussions are a big deal. Obviously, we don’t want to hurt anybody. We’re a fraternity of brothers all across the league. We don’t want to see anybody get hurt.”

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello wrote in an e-mail that the Giants will not face penalties for the situation since no foul hits were made.

“Players are held accountable for their actions on the field,” Aiello said. “There were no illegal hits to the head or neck area against Kyle Williams on Sunday. There was no conduct by the Giants of any kind that would suggest an effort to injure Kyle Williams in any way.”

For the complete story, click here.

NHL struggles with concussions

USA Today, January 24, 2012

One of every 10 NHL players has missed games this season due to concussions, reported USA Today. More than 850 games in total have been missed by players as the league tightens concussion evaluation and treatment protocol.

Last season the NHL adopted in-game testing procedures to identify concussions in players who take hits to the head. Players who do not pass the test are not allowed to return to the rink.

“We are diagnosing them properly and the man-game losses are up because we are treating them properly,” said player agent Allan Walsh.

This season the league has tightened rules on illegal hits and continued to work toward diminishing concussion rates and raising awareness surrounding the complex issue, according to the article.

“While it is not a positive story, I think the focus and attention this issue is receiving in the media is a direct result of our collective efforts to raise awareness of the seriousness of the issue,” said NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly.

Concussions are expected to be a topic of discussion at the next NHL general managers’ meeting in March. According to USA Today, the league is considering several updates to the game designed to prevent concussions including rule changes, equipment tweaks and switching to a European sized rink.

For the complete story, click here.

Insurance provided for student-athlete concussion testing

The Sacramento Bee, January 24, 2012

Wells Fargo in Rancho Cordova, Calif., now offers an insurance plan covering concussion testing for high school athletes, reported the Sacramento Bee. The level of coverage has not previously been offered for athletes outside of professional leagues.

The Play It Safe Concussion Care Plan requires all players to undergo preseason baseline ImPACT testing, the same memory and response time testing used in the NFL. If a player sustains a dangerous hit, he or she takes the test again to compare results with the baseline. If any decline in score is calculated and the student must undergo treatment, the plan covers costs over and above what personal health insurance does, according to the article.

“What the professional athletes have had medically – I hope sooner rather than later, those types of resources are going to be available to high school kids in California,” said Roger Blake, associate executive director of California Interscholastic Federation, the state’s governing body for high school sports.

According to the Sacramento Bee Wells Fargo is working to train clinicians on using the diagnostic test and concussion treatment in areas where the plan is offered.

“We’re trying to make sure kids get to people who know how to manage concussions appropriately,” said Catherine Broomand, a neuropsychologist and director of Kaiser’s Youth Sports Concussion Program. “Most of what we know about concussions we’ve learned in the past five or 10 years.

The plan coincides with a new California law, supported by the NFL, requiring students to be sidelined and evaluated by a medical professional before returning to the field if a concussion is suspected, according to the article.

For the complete story, click here.

Youth football players invited to Super Bowl health and safety clinic

Daily Journal, January 23, 2012

Football players from a youth league in Whitehead, Ind., and the Indianapolis Public Schools system will participate in a health and safety clinic sponsored by the NFL and USA Football in Indianapolis during Super Bowl week, reported the Daily Journal.

The clinic will feature medical experts, NFL players and USA Football coaches presenting player health and safety tips. NFL Head Neck and Spine Committee member Dr. Henry Feuer will lead the concussion awareness segment, while Dr. Kim Stein from the Gatorade Sports Science Institute will discuss proper hydration, and a Colts player will emphasize the importance of an active lifestyle.

The NFL and USA Football have run similar clinics before, but not previously during the week of the Super Bowl, according to the article.

“It’s a platform like this, attached to a real-high profile event like the Super Bowl, that gives you the opportunity to educate these kids, educate these parents in a fun environment,” said Scott Hallenbeck, executive director for USA Football. “There’s that whole critical piece around concussions, but what we stress is, it starts with equipment fitting.

“It starts with understanding the proper fundamentals of blocking and tackling, and then that coupled with understanding the issues around concussion and heat and hydration and a marriage of other potential concerns, all that together is going to make this game better and safer.”

For the complete story, click here.

Mother brings concussion testing to youth athletes

Boston Globe, January 22, 2012

A mother in Massachusetts has single-handedly provided more than 250 baseline concussion tests to youth athletes in the past two years. Jeannine Donato, a registered nurse and mother of four, started the “A Head of the Game,” initiative that provides professional level concussion tests to local 11- to 12-year old athletes for  just $40, reported the Boston Globe.

Donato was motivated to start the program after her youngest son sustained a concussion during a hockey game two years ago. During his treatment she learned that professional leagues including the NFL utilize ImPACT testing to monitor concussions, and she created “A Head of the Game” to bring the same test to local youth athletes, according to the article.

“That’s my goal,’’ said Donato, “to get to the younger kids.’’

ImPACT testing evaluates a subject’s memory and puzzle-solving skills and produces a score that can be used as a baseline snapshot of his or her cognitive abilities. If a player receives a hit to the head later on a trainer can compare the score or a retake to the original in order to determine if a concussion may have occurred and prescribe proper rest for healing.

“We never know how long it’s going to take [someone] to recover from a concussion,’’ said Dr. Janet Kent, who runs the Sports Concussion Clinic at South Shore Hospital, where ImPACT testing is offered regularly to athletes age 18 and under. “Any child that participates in a contact sport, ages 11 and up, should get baseline-tested every two years.’’

For the complete story, click here.

NFL players experience league concussion policies in action

The Star-Ledger, January 20, 2012

Giants safety Deon Grant underwent comprehensive concussion testing after a hit to the head during a game against the Green Bay Packers last Sunday. Grant experienced blurred vision from the collision and was only allowed back on the field after passing the tests as part of NFL policy, reported the Star-Ledger.

“I kept on saying, ‘Let’s go. Come on, we’ve got to get the defense back,’ ” Grant said about his experience. “And they’re like, ‘No, you’re not going back in the game. They’re going to be all right.’ They would not let me go back out there until they took me through the whole test.”

The NFL requires any player suspected of sustaining a concussion to undergo testing that evaluates physical symptoms, cognitive functioning and balance. If a player’s score does not match up to his pre-season baseline testing results, he is held out, according to the article.

The Giants have put others players through concussion testing this season and will continue to follow policy, regardless of how it may affect the outcome of a game.

“At the Giants,” senior vice president of communications Pat Hanlon said, “if there’s doubt, they are pulled.”

Although some players have joked about deliberately botching baseline concussion tests in order to easily pass after a hit, the Giants understand the NFL’s seriousness about safety.

“We always joke about that, but we know how serious it is,” said long snapper Zak DeOssie. “No one throws it. You’re risking too much.”

For the complete story, click here.

Concussion education needed for professional athletes

Neurology Today, January 19, 2012

Professional athletic leagues are taking important steps to reduce concussions in sports, but many athletes continue to underreport head injury symptoms to avoid being removed from games, reported Neurology Today.

In certain cases, proper recovery from a concussion can take weeks or even months. Many athletes worry that missing games for this length of time may negatively impact their careers, so they circumvent policies designed to keep them off the field to heal by throwing concussion tests, according to Dr. Robert Cantu, a senior advisor to the NFL’s Head, Neck and Spine Committee and co-director of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy  at the Boston University School of Medicine.

“Unfortunately better player education is needed, but for this to work players have to care about their own longevity and health,” said Cantu.

In the article, Cantu praises the NFL for leading the response to concussions among sports leagues and says that he believes the league will continue updating rules in the spring to protect players.

For the complete story, click here.

Schools expanding youth concussion policies

Education Week, January 18, 2012

States have recently seen new school district and school policies aimed at expanding existing youth concussion laws. Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York now have more students in concussion education, testing and monitoring programs, reported Education Week.

The NFL and NCAA recently sent letters urging 19 governors to support robust concussion laws. The governors represent the 15 states that currently have no youth concussion laws as well as four states that have passed legislation that does not live up to the standard of the Lystedt Law, supported by the NFL.

The changes enacted earlier this month include the New Jersey state bill that will require cheerleaders to be included in the State Department of Education’s concussion program, as well as a school district in Massachusetts that has enacted a policy requiring baseline concussion testing for any student taking a field trip or participating in marching band, according to the article.

For the complete story, click here.

Concussion detection technology improving

Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 15, 2012

While some college and high school football teams have implemented electronic helmet sensor systems to monitor for high impact hits to the head, the NFL is awaiting results from ongoing tests comparing the accuracy of several impact detectors before implementing a helmet sensor system, reported the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

“We don’t want to trot this out and find out it’s not accurate,” said Dr. Richard Ellenbogen, co-chair of the NFL’s Head, Neck and Spine Medical Committee. “Bad data or wrong data is worse than no data in these cases.”

The Head Impact Telemetry System, or HITS, is used by the Virginia Tech football team to alert the team medical staff to check a player for signs of concussion after any hit above an established threshold. The system cannot diagnose a concussion or brain injury. The system can also track the hits each player sustains over a course of time, and is used by the Army to monitor soldiers in Afghanistan, according to the article.

Diagnosing concussions remains a challenge, according to the Plain Dealer. The NFL has recently added independent neurologists to monitor all games and given team medical staffs access to sideline instant replay screens for reviewing injuries.  Researchers are working to develop blood tests that detect proteins known to enter the bloodstream after a concussion, according to the article.

For the complete story, click here.

Research, culture change needed to deal with concussions in sports

TIME

Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz, a professor at the University of North Carolina, chair of the NFL’s subcommittee on safety equipment and founding director of the Matthew Gfeller Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Research Center, was recently profiled by TIME. In a video feature with the magazine, Guskiewicz discusses the history of concussion testing and the importance of changing the culture surrounding injuries in sports to protect athletes of all ages.

“Sport builds character, builds discipline, teaches teamwork,” said Guskiewicz. “I think as a society we need to embrace it; but we also need to be creating a safe sport, whether it’s football, soccer, lacrosse, hockey or track.”

To view the video, click here.

NFL and NCAA urge states to pass youth football concussion laws

Associated Press, January 12, 2012

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and NCAA president Mark Emmert sent letters Thursday to 19 governors urging them to support legislation intended to protect youth football players from concussions, reported the Associated Press.

Thirty-one states currently have laws similar to the Zackery Lystedt Law, named after a middle school football player who sustained brain damage after returning to the field before healing from a concussion. The law requires that youth players suspected of sustaining a concussion are evaluated by a licensed health care professional trained in concussion evaluation and management before returning to play.

Commissioner Goodell and Emmert sent the letters to governors of the 19 remaining states that have not yet passed similar legislation, according to the AP.

For the complete story, click here. To read the letter to governors, click here.

NFL sideline video monitors aid Giants medical staff

Associated Press, January 9, 2012

The New York Giants say that new sideline video monitors helped diagnose cornerback Aaron Ross and running back D.J. Ware who both sustained concussions, reported the Associated Press.

The video monitors were installed Friday by the NFL to allow medical personnel to review plays that may have caused injuries. The Giants medical staff was initially unsure of what happened to Ware, and was able to review the play in question.

“The video replay provided us with evidence that a concussive event had occurred,” said Giants vice president of medical services Ronnie Barnes. “The system worked as it should have.”

For the complete story, click here.

Study: Mental decline may begin at 45

USA Today, January 7, 2012

A new study suggests that cognitive functions including memory, reasoning and comprehension can begin to decline in adults at age 45, reported USA Today.

The study was conducted with data from nearly 5,200 men and 2,200 women who took part in the Whitehall II cohort study which began in 1997 and recorded participants’ cognitive function three times over a period of 10 years. Although it is widely believed that mental decline does not typically begin until 60, the researchers found that among male participants aged 45 to 49 reasoning skills declined nearly 4 percent. Reasoning skills in women in the same age range declined about 7 percent, according to the article.

“Greater awareness of the fact that our cognitive status is not intact until deep old age might lead individuals to make changes in their lifestyle and improve [their] cardiovascular health, to reduce risk of adverse cognitive outcomes in old age,” said study author Archana Singh-Manoux, research director at INSERM’s Center for Research in Epidemiology & Population Health at the Paul-Brousse Hospital in Paris.

According to the researchers, improving the health of a patient’s heart may help delay the onset of mental decline. In addition, knowing when the decline generally begins should improve treatment since it is more effective the earlier it is started, according to the article.

For the complete story, click here.

MLS holds medical symposium to discuss concussion protocol

Associated Press, January 7, 2012

Team doctors and athletic trainers from a variety of sports discussed concussion identification and treatment protocols at a Major League Soccer Medical Symposium on Saturday, reported the Associated Press.

The MLS has taken several steps to improve concussion testing and treatment by conducting baseline cognitive testing on all players, creating a concussion committee, and recently assigning neuropsychologists who specialize in concussions to all teams. The league also requires that players suspected of sustaining a concussion go through three testing protocol before returning to play, according to the article.

“Once they’re symptom-free both physically and cognitively, in other words they’re saying that they feel fine, then our protocol is to evaluate them using neuropsychological testing to make sure that cognitively they are fine,” said Dr. Ruben J. Echemendia, a clinical neuropsychologist for the MLS who led the symposium. “Because very often the physical symptoms will resolve prior to the cognitive symptoms, and we really don’t know that until we test them.”

After the testing players train to gradually return to play. The protocol is meant to prevent players from hiding symptoms or faking their way through cognitive tests in order to get back on the field, according to the article.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL to utilize sideline video monitors for reviewing and treating injuries

Associated Press, January 6, 2012

The NFL released a memo stating that the league will begin using sideline video monitors this weekend to assist team medical personnel in diagnosing and treating injuries, reported the Associated Press.

The monitors will be made available to team physicians or head athletic trainers to review footage of plays during which a player was injured or appears to be injured. Teams will be required to notify league officials when using the monitors, according to the article. Only the team physicians and head athletic trainers will have access to the monitor to ensure video is not accessed for competitive reasons.

“It’s another in an ongoing series of steps to enhance player safety,” said NFL spokesman Greg Aiello.

The NFL has been addressing concussion treatment issues for several seasons now, and has recently required independent athletic trainers to monitor injuries from the press box at all games, reported the AP.

To learn more, click here.

NFL Player Care Foundation sponsors health screenings for former players in Indiana

January 6, 2012

The NFL Player Care Foundation is sponsoring prostate cancer and cardiovascular health screenings for former NFL players, in partnership with the American Urological Association Foundation and the Boone Heart Institute. The private event will be held on Thursday, February 2 and Friday, February 3, at the IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

Former players who would like more information or to schedule an appointment can contact Kimberly Miller of the American Urological Association Foundation at 410-371-1462, or via email at kmiller@auafoundation.org or Parker Boone of the Boone Heart Institute at 303-762-0710, or via email pboone@booneheart.com.

To learn more, click here.

Commentary: NHL concussions alarm youth hockey parents

Forbes, January 5, 2012

Forbes contributor Bob Cook notes the striking effect that Sidney Crosby’s career-altering concussions are having on parents of youth hockey players in Canada, and what it might mean for contact sports in the U.S. in a recent commentary.

Cook references a recent Globe and Mail article that claims the dangers of concussions have emerged from the back of hockey parents’ minds to be a common concern and topic of conversation. Cook also questions what the reaction in the U.S. would be to an NFL star’s career ending prematurely due to concussion.

For the complete story, click here.

Commentary: Perspectives differ on when NFL players should sit out

USA Today, January 4, 2012

San Diego Chargers offensive lineman Kris Dielman said that he would be willing to risk his future health and well-being attempting to win the Super Bowl, while Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is not allowing a player to play in order to protect their health, reported sports commentator Christine Brennan in USA Today, highlighting varying perspectives on when a player should be removed from a game.

Dielman sat out of the Chargers’ last 10 games after sustaining a concussion during a game in October. At the time of the injury he was not diagnosed with a concussion and was allowed to return to play. On his flight home afterward he suffered a grand mal seizure. Dielman admits that he will be unlikely to remove himself from games in the future even if a repeat accident occurs.

“Apparently, I won’t do that,” said Dielman. “That’s the scary part, too. I’ll play through just about anything, and I’ve played through this one and it got me. I’ve made my whole career doing dumb (stuff) like that. …That’s how I got here, doing stupid (stuff) on the football field. It got me 10 years in, so I’m all right with that.”

Brennan claims that Dielman’s attitude reflects the way that many professional athletes think when considering the consequences of injuries. She suggests that all professional sports need a voice of reason.

Brennan offers an example of that “voice of reason” in Steelers’ Tomlin. Tomlin announced key veteran player Ryan Clark would not be suiting up for Sunday’s playoff game in Denver due to health concerns. The last time Clark, who has sickle cell trait, played in the high-altitude of Denver he was hospitalized after the game and had to have his spleen and gallbladder removed.

“It’s a big game for us, but it is a game,” Tomlin said. “We will keep that in perspective.”

For the complete story, click here.

Arizona Cardinals partner to develop concussion education and testing for high school athletes

Barrow, Volume 21, Issue 2, 2011

Arizona has become the first state to formalize concussion awareness training and testing for high school athletes, reported Barrow, a magazine of Barrow Neurological Institute of St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Ariz. The concussion awareness program is a partnership between Barrow, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Arizona Interscholastic Association.

The state requires student-athletes to use Brainbook, an interactive online concussion education module created by Barrow staff and Arizona State University’s College of Education doctoral students. The goal of the new tool is to reduce injuries and complications associated with concussion in sports by increasing awareness of head injuries and ways to prevent them, according to Barrow.

“Concussions are rampant in the professional sports and at the NCAA level, but there is a trickle-down effect among younger athletes,” said Dr. Javier Cardenas, director of the Barrow Resource for Acquired Injury to the Nervous System Clinic. “In Arizona, 7,000 high school students suffer concussions each year.”

Cardenas believes that Brainbook will serve as an important tool in eliminating common myths that concussions are not brain injuries or that all concussions result in the loss of consciousness.

The tool has already made an impact on at least one high school team: “Brainbook is a great idea,” said Nate Calles, a junior varsity quarterback for Sandra Day O’Connor High School who sustained a concussion and injury to the spine in 2010. “It just makes the entire team more aware about the seriousness of concussions. It took a hit to the head, but now I get it – I’d recognize one immediately.”

To visit Barrow’s website, click here.

Cowboys player comments on NFL’s return-to-play protocol

NBC Sports, January 1, 2012

In an interview for NBC Sports, Bob Costas asked Cowboys tight end Jason Witten about his experience in the NFL and the physical consequences of playing football.

“I understand the challenges of playing this game,” said Witten. “We see it every day with retired players that really made this game what it is today.”

Costas also questioned Witten about his removal from a game last year after sustaining a concussion, and whether the decision was difficult for him.

“Yes, and ultimately what the league is doing is the right thing putting it out of the players’ hands. That’s the way it needs to be,” said Witten. “Fortunately, our doctor made that decision for me and I think that is a protocol the league has really taken and done a good job with.”

For the complete story, click here.

Safety precautions in NFL could trickle down to youth sports

Education Week, December 28, 2011

The NFL announced that it will now have a certified athletic trainer in the press box at all games to watch for possible injuries that go unnoticed on the field, focusing largely on concussions, reported Education Week.

Under the new policy, if an athletic trainer sees a player that may be concussed or otherwise injured, he or she will be able alert the medical staffs of either team.

According to Marjorie Albohm, president of the National Athletic Trainers Association, the move may help institutionalize the presence of certified athletic trainers (ATs) at all schools that have athletic programs.

“Education and awareness is the key to creating change,” Ms. Albohm said. “The NFL’s concussion policies have put a spotlight on this and other injuries. That has created tremendous awareness of the importance of proper injury care for athletes and the important role that ATs play in that.”

For the complete story, click here.

Players still hiding concussions despite increased awareness of risks

Associated Press, December 26, 2011

Although players state they are more aware of the dangers of head injuries than in the past, many still admit that they would conceal head injuries to avoid being removed from games, reported the Associated Press.

In a collection of recent interviews with the Associated Press, more than half of 44 players claimed that they would hide a possible concussion rather than sit out of a game. Five of the players said that, while they would have concealed a concussion in the past, they would now seek help.

“The culture change takes awhile,” said Dr. Richard Ellenbogen, co-chairman of the NFL’s head, neck and spine committee.”Why would these guys want to go out? They love playing the game. They don’t want to leave their team. They want to win. I understand all that. And that’s why we have to be on our toes with coming up with exams that are hard to beat, so to speak.”

Although many players said they have or would conceal a head injury, three quarters of them agreed that the NFL should have an independent neurologist at all games to examine injured players and determine if they should be removed from play, according the Associated Press.

“Has there been a culture change overall? I think the answer is, unquestionably, `yes.’ Could there be more done? Yes. Do all the players get it? No. Do they want to get it? No,” said Dr. Robert Cantu, a senior advisor to the NFL’s Head, Neck and Spine Committee and co-director of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy at Boston University School of Medicine.

For the complete story, click here.

Blood test being developed to detect concussions

Fox Sports Ohio, December 22, 2011

Scientists at the Cleveland Clinic are studying the validity and usefulness of a simple blood test that has the potential to detect concussions, reported Fox Sports Ohio.

The test measures the amount of protein S100B in the bloodstream. S100B is normally found in the brain but finds its way into the bloodstream after a blow to the head.

“S100 is highly concentrated in the brain, in the cerebral spinal fluid and in the spinal cord,” said Damir Janigro, Ph.D., professor of molecular medicine at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine. “If the (blood-brain) barrier is breached it goes into the blood, and it is almost immediately detectable by our tests.”

The test has the potential to greatly improve player safety in the NFL and would serve as an objective and measurable method to detect concussions in athletes that may have otherwise been overlooked.

“We are interested in and support all medical research on concussions,” said NFL spokesman Greg Aiello. “We have funded several concussion-related research projects in recent years and through the new CBA the clubs and players will invest $100 million in medical research over the course of the 10-year CBA, much of it going to the area of concussions.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL medical trainers welcome additional concussion monitoring

USA Today, December 21, 2011

In response to recent incidents in which NFL players have been allowed to return to play after sustaining concussions, the league has mandated that a certified athletic trainer be present at all games to alert team medical staffs of particularly dangerous hits, reported USA Today.

“Gosh, it’s all about player safety,” said John Norwig, trainer for the Pittsburgh Steelers, when asked about his opinion of the change. “To have a trainer who is used to taking care of players providing another set of eyes, I don’t have any problem with it.”

Representatives from the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) also applauded the decision and said that the NFL was moving in the right direction, according to USA Today.

“This looks like the right ‘next step’ to improve the system,” said Thom Mayer, chief medical adviser to the NFLPA. “We’re going to continue to monitor it.”

Team medical personnel will also be allowed to carry cell phones in order to relay information about injuries and players in question, according to the article.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL updates concussion protocol

Associated Press, December 21, 2011

Following Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy’s concussion and premature return to play, the NFL is changing its concussions protocols, reported the Associated Press.

The NFL will employ independent certified athletic trainers to attend all games and monitor players from the press box. The trainers will provide team medical staffs with relevant information to assist in determining the most appropriate evaluation and treatment for injured players. They will not diagnose players or prescribe treatment, and they will not have the authority to remove players from games, according to the article.

“In most cases, the athletic trainer will be affiliated with a major college program in the area or will have previously been affiliated with an NFL club,” the NFL said in a statement.

Team medical staff will also now be permitted to use cell phones during games in order to gather information relating to the care of injured players, according to the Associated Press.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL Statement on Enhanced Concussion Protocols

The following is a statement on concussion protocols sent to NFL teams on December 21, 2011:

After reviewing our protocols for managing concussions with the NFLPA, our own medical advisors (including team physicians and athletic trainers), and outside experts, NFL clubs have been notified of two changes that will take effect with this week’s games.

First, we have arranged for a certified athletic trainer to be at each game to monitor play of both teams and provide medical staffs with any relevant information that may assist them in determining the most appropriate evaluation and treatment. This athletic trainer will be stationed in a booth upstairs with access to video replay and direct communication to the medical staffs of both teams. In most cases, the athletic trainer will be affiliated with a major college program in the area or will have previously been affiliated with an NFL club. This individual will not diagnose or prescribe treatment, nor have any authority to direct that a player be removed from the game.  Instead, the athletic trainer’s role will be to provide information to team medical staffs that might have been missed due to a lack of a clear view of the play or because they were attending to other players or duties.  The athletic trainers are being identified and selected with the assistance of each club and the NFLPA.  Their fees and expenses will be paid by the NFL office.

Second, club medical staffs will be permitted to use their cell phones during games for purposes of obtaining information relating to the care of an injured player.  This is not limited to concussions and is intended to assist team medical staffs in addressing a variety of injuries.

Clubs also were reminded of the importance of team coaching and medical staffs continuing to work together to ensure that full information is available at all times to medical staffs, that players do not take steps to avoid evaluations, and that concussions continue to be managed in a conservative and medically appropriate way.

NHL coach says player hid concussion

Yahoo! Sports, December 20, 2011

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Colby Armstrong did not disclose he was injured and continued playing, after sustaining a concussion during a game, reported Yahoo! Sports.

According to Yahoo!, Armstrong hid his condition from team trainers until he was found vomiting and suffering blurry vision two days after the game.

“He didn’t tell the trainers or the doctors, but he had his bell rung,” said Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson. “He was nauseated, blurry vision, so he’s got a concussion, and we didn’t know that. He’s going to be out however long he needs to be out now.”

For the complete story, click here.

Editorial: changes in sports needed to decrease concussions

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, December 19, 2011

Major sports leagues need to make changes across many areas in order to increase player safety and decrease the frequency of concussions, says Dejan Kovacevic in an editorial for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Kovacevic notes that creating clear rules on what hits are legal will hold players accountable and decrease dangerous hits.

“Responsibility for a head shot must fall on the offending party. It’s the only way to change the culture at all levels of sports. Stop trying to read minds. Stop creating exceptions to the rules,” writes Kovacevic.

Kovacevic also proposes expanding fields for sports where players have gotten bigger and faster over the years, as well as more research for better helmets and more effective tools for diagnosing concussions. Additionally, Kovacevic suggests that part of the responsibility falls on the players and urges them to report concussions and fully recover before returning to play.

For the complete story, click here.

Editorial: Harrison suspension reflects NFL’s commitment to enforcing safety rules

Express-Times, December 18, 2011

The NFL’s suspension of Pittsburgh Steelers’ James Harrison for an illegal helmet-to-helmet hit shows how serious the league is about ensuring players’ health and safety, according to an editorial in the Express-Times. Harrison became the first player to be suspended from play for breaking the league’s rules surrounding hits to the head and his appeal to revoke the punishment was rejected.

Although some players are not happy about the rule changes now, the NFL is protecting their health for the long-term, according to the author.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL to continue evaluating helmet hit ban

Associated Press, December 18, 2011

Rich McKay, Atlanta Falcons president and co-chairman of the NFL’s Competition Committee, believes that more rule changes intended to protect players from hits to the head will be discussed during the upcoming offseason, reported the Associated Press.

McKay stated that, before the current season, the Competition Committee contemplated banning launching, when a player leaves the ground and leads a hit with his head. The technique was not banned, but may be discussed again soon, according to the article.

McKay also claimed that Steelers linebacker James Harrison’s recent hit on Browns quarterback Colt McCoy and subsequent suspension is not the only driver of the safety conversation.

“I don’t like the fact one play would drive the discussion more than a need to do it for a bigger reason: a lot of plays that are putting players at risk,” McKay said. “Our game has taken some real steps in a safety direction and we see, culturally, some modifications. We need to continue in that direction.”

For the complete story, click here.

Harrison’s suspension appeal denied

Associated Press, December 16, 2011

The NFL has denied James Harrison’s appeal to lift a one-game suspension for his helmet-to-helmet hit with Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy, reported the Associated Press

NFL-NFL Players Association on-field appeals officer Ted Cottrell denied the appeal on Friday. Harrison’s history of flagrant hits in the league was cited, and he is now the first player to be suspended under the league’s new guidelines for player safety, according to the article.

For the complete story, click here.

Arizona quarterback debates return to play after concussion

CBS Sports, December 15, 2011

Arizona Cardinals Quarterback Kevin Kolb recently expressed the difficulty in returning to play after sustaining a concussion, reported CBS Sports.

“That’s the battle that we face as players. You try to do what’s best for yourself and for your team in that situation,” said Kolb. “Sometimes it’s a tough decision.”

For the complete story, click here.

Editorial: NFL should do more to protect NFL players from concussions

Elmira Star-Gazette, December 15, 2011

An editorial writer for the Elmira Star-Gazette called for the NFL to take further action in protecting players from the dangers of concussions in football.

According to the author, Cleveland Browns’ Colt McCoy was not properly evaluated after sustaining an illegal hit to the head and allowed to return to play. The author suggests that independent medical personnel should be on teams’ sidelines, in press boxes and in league headquarters to prevent similar situations from occurring.

The author also quoted former NFL player Isaiah Kacyvenski about safety in the league. Kacyvenski praised NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for cracking down on dangerous hits but also hoped for the addition of independent medical personnel to games.

“You have to protect the athlete from himself,” Kacyvenski said. “You need an independent medical staff, maybe away from the team. There’s a structure in teams where the team doctor always wants to keep that position.”

For the complete story, click here.

Editorial: NHL must do more to prevent concussions

Grantland.com, December 14, 2011

In an editorial for Grantland.com, NHL Hall of Famer Ken Dryden discusses the challenges facing NHL commissioner Gary Bettman as he faces increased scrutiny surrounding the dangers of head injuries in hockey.

Under Bettman the NHL has worked to ensure players’ safety by making rule changes, providing better protective equipment, and better medical treatment. While these efforts are laudable, Dryden writes, Bettman and the league must take further steps in embracing timely research studies and introducing more “head-smart” ways to play the game.

Dryden argues that the NHL, along with other sports leagues, must attempt to generate ongoing public discussion and action surrounding head injuries in sports.

For the complete story, click here.

NHL reviews padding to increase player safety

The Globe and Mail, December 14, 2011

Kris King, the NHL’s senior vice president of hockey operations, says that the league is continuing its efforts to mandate smaller shoulder pads for players in an effort to reduce head injuries, reported the Globe and Mail.

“It’s an area we’re continually monitoring and trying to get to where we used to be before equipment got big,” said King. “We want to aggressively work with the NHLPA on this.”

The NHL made soft elbow pads mandatory in 2003, followed by shoulder pads in the 2010-11 season. According to King, the NHL’s statistics show the number of concussions from blows by elbows to the head has decreased significantly since 2003.

“We should be changing the elbow pads and the shoulder pads so they go back to what they were meant to be,” said Dr. Charles Tator, a neurosurgeon at Toronto Western Hospital. “They defend the wearer, not offend the opponent.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL and NFL Players Association meet to discuss concussion care

Associated Press, December 13, 2011

Medical personnel from the NFL and NFL Players Association (NFLPA) met with Cleveland Browns medical staff to discuss the team’s handling of Colt McCoy after he sustained a concussion in last week’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, reported the Associated Press.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello noted that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell would review any findings from the meeting and consult members of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee. Aiello said in an email response that any changes in policy or procedure would be made by Commissioner Goodell and in conjunction with the league’s medical committee and the NFLPA.

“There are league-wide problems in procedure, and that’s what needs to be addressed,” said Scott Fujita, a linebacker for the Browns and member of the NFLPA’s executive council.”It’s the process. We need to continue to strive to find better ways to take care of our players, and I think an independent neurologist on game days is something that should be seriously considered.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL gives first suspension for illegal in-game hit

Pro Football Talk, December 13, 2011

Steelers linebacker James Harrison has become the first NFL player to be suspended from play for an illegal in-game hit, reported Pro Football Talk.

Harrison, who has a history of illegal in-game hits, was notified of the suspension by the NFL Tuesday morning for helmet-to-face hit with Browns quarterback Colt McCoy. Harrison must now pursue an expedited appeal to the ruling if he wants to play in the Steelers’ next game on Monday, according to the article.

Harrison claims that the hit in question was legal, since McCoy was running with the ball before he threw, but current rules protect quarterbacks from hits to the head even if they throw while running, according to Pro Football Talk.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL players adapt to new concussion policies

Canton Repository, December 12, 2011

An article in the Canton Repository examines NFL player culture in light of Cleveland Browns linebacker Colt McCoy’s premature return to play after sustaining a concussion from a hit by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison.

Last season, Browns ball carrier Joshua Cribbs was removed from play after a similar hit from Harrison.

“I had a concussion. I wanted to go back in,” said Cribbs. “A lot of guys don’t report concussions.”

According to Cribbs, many players worry about being labeled as injury prone, and subsequently being forced out of the league.

The NFL has implemented new protocols to address concussions, and league representatives said they were speaking with the Browns about McCoy’s injury and return to play, according the Repository.

For the complete story, click here.

Editorial: NFL players evading league concussion policies

CBS Sports, December 12, 2011

Although the NFL has recently increased safety measures to minimize the concussion risks, many players are downplaying hits to the head and keeping medical staff from intervening during games, according to a CBS Sports editorial.

“The concussion rules are the best they can be,” an anonymous NFL player said to CBS. “The league and the union have done a good job protecting players, but the truth remains, players are still hiding concussions, because they want to protect their careers. In some cases, teams know a player is concussed and let it go. Yes, that still happens.”

The NFL has made numerous changes to protect player safety, but above all the author emphasizes the need to change the culture of the game.

“Part of the ongoing culture change in our game is making sure players buy into the health and safety priorities that we have established,” said NFL spokesman Greg Aiello. “Those priorities are an important part of the new CBA and the players deserve credit for that. But it is an ongoing challenge when you are dealing with competitive, tough-minded athletes and we have to keep working at it with the players.”

For the complete story, click here.

Editorial: Diligence needed to protect youth athletes from dangers of head injuries

San Angelo Standard-Times, December 12, 2011

Unlike adults, youth athletes are much more susceptible to second impact syndrome, a condition that occurs when an athlete sustains a second concussion before fully recovering from the first according to Dr. Hunt Batjer, chairman of Department of Neurological Surgery at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and co-chair on the NFL’s Head, Neck and Spine Committee.

Batjer noted the condition has the potential to lead to permanent brain damage or death in a lecture he gave addressing the seriousness of head injuries suffered by youth athletes at the San Angelo Community Medical Center.

“A concussion is caused by a blow to the head that causes the brain, which is suspended in cerebrospinal fluid, to move back and forth and collide with the skull,” said Batjer. “The ‘shaking’ causes a disruption of the brain’s function. Interestingly, the damage can’t be seen on a CT or an MRI.”

“People can play through pain, but not through brain or spinal cord injury. If in doubt, sit them out,” said Batjer.

For the complete story, click here.

NHL star chooses to sit out due to recurrence of concussion symptoms

New York Times, December 12, 2011

Pittsburgh Penguins player Sidney Crosby, who recently returned to the ice after sitting out for more than 10 months to recover from a concussion he suffered last January, has announced he will sit out indefinitely to recover from recent hits, reported the New York Times.

“I have to make sure with these sort of things that I’m careful,” Crosby said. “You have to listen to your body.”

Crosby recently passed a standard concussion assessment test, but continued suffering headaches after light workouts, according to the Times. Dr. Robin Green, senior scientist at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and an expert in traumatic brain injury, noted that it was not unusual for players to feel symptoms even after passing tests designed to diagnose concussions.

“All of our clinical tests have very limited sensitivity,” said Green. “People can look perfectly intact, including on the ImPACT test he took. Part of the big problem of figuring out when it’s safe for an athlete to return to play is our tests lack sufficient sensitivity to tell us that a person is completely recovered.”

For the complete story, click here.

Medical experts weigh in on fighting in NHL

New York Times, December 12, 2011

The scientific community is weighing in on whether the NHL should ban fighting following Boston University’s research showing that former hockey enforcer Derek Boogaard suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease linked to hits to the head, reported the New York Times.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman stated that the data on causes of brain trauma was insufficient to warrant moves by the league to curb or eliminate fighting.

“There is evidence at this point in time to speculate about a link between repetitive blows to the head and CTE,” said Dr. Ruben Echemendia, a former president of the National Academy of Neuropsychology and director of the NHL and players union concussion working group. “However, we are not sure at this point in time how strong that link is, or what the parameters are that would lead to CTE.”

Data from last season indicates that 8 percent of all concussions resulted from fights, according to the Times.

Dr. Robert Cantu, co-director of Boston University’s Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy and an advisor to the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee, said that NHL officials “are putting people at risk by allowing fighting.”

For the complete story, click here.

NBA implements concussion policy

Associated Press, December 12, 2011

The NBA has implemented a new concussion policy that will help prevent players from returning to play too quickly after sustaining head injuries, reported the Associated Press.

Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, an associate professor of neurology at the University of Michigan, will serve as director of the NBA’s new program. The new policy went into effect during the start of training camps, and requires that Kutcher is consulted before any player returns to competition.

Additionally, NBA players, coaches and team medical personnel will take part in annual training and education. Players will also undergo baseline testing each year, which will be used later to assist in diagnosing a concussion if a player is suspected of sustaining a head injury, according to the AP.

For the complete story, click here.

Cleveland Browns player will ask NFL Players Association to press for independent neurologist at games

Pro Football Talk, December 11, 2011

Scott Fujita, a Cleveland Browns running back and member of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) Executive Committee, recently told Peter King of Sports Illustrated that he would push the NFLPA to request the presence of an independent neurologist at all NFL games, reported Pro Football Talk.

The NFL currently requires players diagnosed with a concussion to be cleared by an independent neurologist before returning to any practice or game. The NFL does not, however, require an independent neurologist to attend games according to Pro Football Talk.

“So when it comes to head injuries, I think the only real solution I’ve heard that might help remedy this problem is to have an independent neurological consultant on the sideline,” Fujita said. “I think we may have missed an opportunity to properly address this as we were finalizing the CBA. Hopefully it’s not too late to get it right.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL Commissioner ‘disappointed’ in HGH testing delays

Associated Press, December 11, 2011

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell discussed the delay in implementing a league-wide human growth hormone (HGH) testing policy following a fan forum at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, reported the Associated Press. The league has been waiting for agreement on the HGH testing method from the NFL Players Association, who agreed to testing as part of its collective bargaining agreement, but has since asked for more data supporting the proposed method.

“We will hopefully get a resolution to that sooner rather than later. I’m disappointed we don’t have it in place right now,” Commissioner Goodell said. “There has to be a credible testing program for HGH. It is in the best interests of the players, from their safety standpoint and their health standpoint, but also for credibility and the integrity of the league.”

For the complete story, click here.

Brown’s coach defends handling of player after hit

ESPN.com, December 10, 2011

Cleveland Browns coach Pat Shurmur defended the team’s handling of quarterback Colt McCoy’s head injury during last week’s game against Pittsburgh.

“I feel very confident that if he wasn’t able to play we would have stopped him,” Shurmur said. “I can assure everyone that we followed protocol.”

Brad McCoy, Colt’s father and a high school football coach, argued that the team’s medical staff should have done more to recognize the symptoms of a concussion and prevented his son from returning to the game, according to ESPN.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said that the league would review the NFL’s protocol with the Browns.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL Player Care Foundation sponsors health screenings for former players in Minnesota

December 9, 2011

The NFL Player Care Foundation is sponsoring prostate cancer and cardiovascular health screenings for former NFL players, in partnership with the American Urological Association Foundation and the Living Heart Foundation. The private event will be held on Saturday, January 21, at the University of Minnesota.

Former players who would like more information or to schedule an appointment can contact Kimberly Miller of the American Urological Association Foundation at 410-371-1462, or via email at kmiller@auafoundation.org or Scott Perryman of the Living Heart Foundation at 732-842-5584, or via email ScottLHF@gmail.com.

To learn more, click here.

Former NFL player diagnosed with CTE

Associated Press, December 8, 2011

A brain biopsy of former NFL player Lew Carpenter found evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative condition that some researchers have linked to memory loss, disorientation and depression, reported the Associated Press.

While many scientists believed that CTE can result from concussions, new research suggests that low-level, subconcussive blows to the heads can be just as damaging as big hits, according to the article.

“It’s the total brain trauma. Tens of thousands of subconcussive blows all add up,” said Dr. Robert Cantu, co-director of Boston University’s Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy and an advisor to the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee. ”You can’t draw a line between number of concussions and risk for CTE. You have to factor in the subconcussive trauma. It’s equally – if not more – important.

The NFL has made efforts to increase player safety by limiting contact in practices and enforcing penalties for flagrant hits, according to the Associated Press.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL supports youth concussion bill proposal in Florida

Associated Press, December 7, 2011

Concussion legislation proposed in Florida would require any athlete suspected of suffering a head injury to be cleared by a certified medical professional before returning to play, reported the Associated Press.

Supported by the NFL, Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins, the new legislation is aimed at protecting youth athletes from the dangers of concussions and other head injuries. The NFL has supported youth concussion legislation nationally, and so far 31 states have passed similar laws, according the Associated Press.

For the complete story, click here.

New dangers discovered for soccer players that frequently “head” the ball

New York Times, December 7, 2011

Researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York recently found that adult soccer players who frequently “head” the ball can develop brain abnormalities similar to those found in traumatic brain injury patients, reported the New York Times.

The researchers found that players who “head” the ball more than 1,100 times a year are more likely to show significant loss of white matter in parts of the brain related to memory, when compared with players who “head” the ball less often. Players that “head” the ball more were also much worse at remembering lists of words read to them.

“Based on these results, it does look like there is a potential for significant effects on the brain from frequent heading,” said Dr. Michael L. Lipton, associate director of the Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center at Einstein and senior author of the study.

There are still many questions that remain unanswered, however, including how “heading” the ball affects youth athletes, according to the Times.

“On the one hand, kids’ brains are developing fast, so they might experience more problems” than adults, said Dr. Lipton. “On the other hand, their brains are renowned for their plasticity, so maybe they’ll recover better. We just don’t know.”

For the complete story, click here.

Sports Illustrated chronicles medical history of retired NFL team

Sports Illustrated, December 7, 2011

Sports Illustrated recently reached out to members of the 1986 Cincinnati Bengals to inquire about their long-term health after a career in the NFL. The comprehensive survey was the first of its kind, including an entire team roster to investigate the effects of playing football on players’ bodies. According to a feature article on the study that will run in an upcoming issue of the magazine, 36 of the 46 players on the original Bengals roster who are still living participated in interviews.

According to the article, the individuals have experienced vastly different medical histories, with some describing disabling conditions and others claiming to be perfectly healthy. Of the players surveyed, 72 percent underwent at least one surgery during their NFL careers, and 41 percent have had post-career surgery for an NFL-related injury. About 44 percent of the players report memory loss of varying degrees, and 33 percent have reported daily headaches they believe stem from their football careers.

Despite lingering injuries from their careers, only 13 percent of the players wouldn’t want their sons or close relatives to play in the NFL, while another 13 percent said that they would have mixed feelings about someone close to them playing professional football. Of the 39 former players interviewed, 37 said that they would do it all over again, reported Sports Illustrated.

For the complete story including in-depth coverage of the players’ personal experiences, click here.

Summit aims to prevent sudden death in youth athletes

Fox Sports, December 6, 2011

A plan for preventing sudden death in youth athletes was presented at the Youth Sports Safety Summit, hosted by The National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) in Washington, D.C., reported Fox Sports. The 23-page plan also discusses asthma, overexertion for athletes with sickle cell trait, and even lightning safety.

The event featured medical experts discussing a number of youth sports issues.

“We’ve brought together experts from different areas and created this one document,” said Doug Casa, a University of Connecticut professor and co-chair of the NATA committee that came up with the list. “Everybody has done things on heat stroke before. They’ve done things on cardiac arrest. This is the first time we’re putting them all together in one document so people can understand how to protect high school and college athletes. It’s not just about one condition.”

Casa, who is also the chief operating officer of the NFL-supported Korey Stringer Institute, spoke about the NFL’s dedication to improving player safety, according to Fox Sports.

“Let’s focus on the positive: Roger Goodell took over as commissioner,” Casa said. “Since he’s taken over you’ve seen a lot of proactive health and safety standards come into play.”

The NFL has pushed for laws in all 50 states mandating concussion education for youth athletes and requiring players suspected of suffering a concussion to be cleared by a certified medical professional before returning to play, according to Fox Sports.

“As a result of these laws, coaches, parents and athletes better recognize the signs and symptoms of concussions and understand that they must be treated seriously and in conjunction with a trained health care provider,” said Jeff Miller, the NFL’s senior vice president for government relations and public policy.

The penalties and fines enforced by the NFL on players who lead with the top of their helmet have also had a positive impact, according to Fox Sports.

“Young athletes see not only how the NFL players tackle, but they also look at the athletes on how they handle concussions,” said Kevin Guskiewicz, a professor at UNC, chair of the NFL’s subcommittee on safety equipment, founding director of the Matthew Gfeller Center and co-chair of the committee that came up with the guidelines. “It’s good that the NFL and other sports leagues are taking this more seriously.”

For the complete story, click here.

To learn more about the Youth Sports Safety Summit, click here.

Additional stories on the Youth Sports Safety Summit:
Scripps Howard News Service

A look at the last days of a hockey enforcer

New York Times, December 5, 2011

A biopsy of former New York Rangers player Derek Boogaard shows that he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative condition similar to Alzheimer’s disease, reported the New York Times.

Boogaard died last May of an accidental overdose of alcohol and OxyContin pills. CTE, caused by repeated blows to the head, can only be diagnosed after a patient dies. The Times reported on Boogaard’s professional hockey career, last days and death in a three part series.

For the complete story, click here.

Former players suing NFL over alleged painkiller use

New York Times, December 5, 2011

A dozen former NFL players have accused the NFL of frequently administering Toradol, a painkiller and blood thinner, that according to the suit, “can prevent the feeling of injury” and worsen the severity of high-risk injuries including concussions, reported the New York Times.

The players now suffer from anxiety, depression, short-term memory loss, severe headaches, sleeping problems and dizziness, according to Christopher A. Seeger, the lead lawyer for the plaintiffs.

The NFL has disputed the claims and highlighted measures it has put in place to protect players and increase safety, according to the Times.

“The NFL has long made player safety a priority and continues to do so,” Greg Aiello, NFL spokesman, said in a statement. “Any allegation that the NFL intentionally sought to mislead players has no merit. It stands in contrast to the league’s actions to better protect players and advance the science and medical understanding of the management and treatment of concussions.”

For the complete story, click here.

Consensus statement outlines new standard in concussion care

Medicine & Science in Sport & Exercise, December 2011

Medicine & Science in Sports Medicine, the Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, will publish an update to guidance on the treatment of concussions originally published in 2006. The statement, “Concussion (Mild Traumatic Brain Injury) and the Team Physician: A Consensus Statement —2011 Update,” provides an overview of select medical issues that are important to team physicians who are responsible for athletes with concussion.

The document was authored by Drs. Stanley Herring, Margot Putukian and Kevin Guskiewicz, all members of the NFL’s Head, Neck and Spine Committee, as well as Drs. Robert Cantu and Ben Kibler, with the goal of assisting team physicians in providing optimal medical care for athletes with concussions. Several professional medical organizations including the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine also contributed to the statement.

To download the document, click here.

Stanford tests mouth guards to measure force of hits

NBC Nightly News, December 5, 2011

More than 20 players on the Stanford football team are wearing mouth guards during every practice and game to record the force of hits to the helmet, reports NBC Nightly News. The mouth guards contain electronic sensors that transmit data to computers on the sidelines.  Researchers are hopeful they will be able to use the data to identify how much force, and what kind, causes a concussion, and potentially lead to improved helmet design, according to NBC.

“Researchers are just now understanding so much more about (concussions) and working toward reducing the injuries from them,” reports Brian Williams of NBC.

Dr.  Daniel Garza, Stanford team physician told NBC he doubts concussions can be removed completely from the game.  “The important thing to do is — be it technology, technique or regulations— to try to reduce the risk,” said Dr. Garza.

To view the complete story, click here.

Editorial: Championing safety in football is the brave and right thing to do

Miami Herald, December 4, 2011

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has to risk his own popularity, among fans and players, in order to make the game of football safer according to the Miami Herald’s Dan Le Batard. Likening football players to gladiators, the editorial notes that players must be protected from their own courage and culture. Le Batard calls for culture change beyond the players, noting fans and commentators must also be receptive to a safer way of playing the game. Le Batard also calls for penalties including ejections and suspensions, as well as “game-changing penalties” of 50 yards instead of 15.

For the complete story, click here.

Poorly fit helmets are a hazard for youth athletes

News & Observer, December 3, 2011

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) tracked the number of times football players lost their helmets for the first time this season and found more than 1,200 players lost their helmets during games, mostly due to improper or loose fits reports the News & Observer.

“For the helmet to function as it is designed, it has to be tight,” said Kevin Guskiewicz, chairman of the Department of Exercise and Sports Science at the University of North Carolina and member of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee.

The Observer found that many players do not like to wear helmets and will adjust the fittings to make them loose and easy to slip on and off. However, other players like Garner High School junior Tim Thorb appreciate the need for a tight-fitting helmet.

“My helmet keeps me safe. It is my best friend,” Thorb said.

The National Federation of State High School Associations is expected to consider a rule that would require players to leave the field for at least one play if his helmet comes off, reports the Observer.

“A properly fitted helmet is crucial to prevent concussions,” said Mark Dreibelbis, head of officials in the NCHSAA. “If some helmets are so loosely fitted that they can come completely off, there is reason to be concerned that a lot more players’ helmets aren’t properly fitted either.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL rule changes to improve safety are needed

San Francisco Chronicle, December 2, 2011

Some football fans have said that the recent changes to NFL rules which make certain hits illegal also take the fun out of the game, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. However, rule changes to improve safety have been a mainstay of the sport since the late 1800s.

“I watch a lot of football games,” writes columnist Scott Ostler of the Chronicle. “Maybe I’m a pacifist wuss, but I’ve never left an NFL game saying, ‘Was that a picnic or a football game? Whatever happened to the violence and injuries we all love? I feel cheated.’”

For the complete story, click here.

Polamalu fears letting teammates down

WTAE (Pittsburg, PA), December 2, 2011

Pittsburgh Steelers player Troy Polamalu left the game last week against Kansas City after tackling a lineman head-first and suffering what the Steelers called “concussion-like symptoms.” This was the second time in two months that Polamalu was removed from a game for observation following a hit to the head.

Polamalu is aware of the possibility of another, potential more serious injury, reports WTAE.

“That’s the fear, I think, that any player faces, and that’s the fear that anybody, any individual faces — overcoming any certain fears of being a coward, you know, or letting your teammates down or turning down a hit,” he said. “That’s the beautiful thing about sports, is these fears are right in your face and it’s pretty obvious if you turn them down or not.”

“I have the fear. No question about it. But I’m willing to fight it, for sure.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL players union questioned on delay for HGH testing

NFL.com Wire Reports, December 1, 2011

David Howman, director general of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said the NFL Players Association’s (NFLPA) concerns about testing for human growth hormone (HGH) in players are “not about science” and have “no substance.”

“If you’ve got nothing to hide, open up,” Howman said at the Partnership for Clean Competition conference, held Thursday at NFL headquarters.

The NFL and the players union agreed to HGH testing for players in July as a part of the new collective bargaining agreement however, the NFLPA has yet to agree on a testing method.

“We’re still trying,” said Adolpho Birch, senior vice president of law and labor policy for the NFL. “Our normal testing is still going on. If you’re talking about HGH testing, in particular, we’re still insistent that we implement HGH testing as soon as it’s possible and we are continuing to try to work toward that end.”

For the complete story, click here.

Additional stories on the Partnership for Clean Competition conference:
Los Angeles Times
Fox Sports
ESPN
Sports Illustrated

WADA official criticizes NFL players union for opposing HGH testing

Sports Business Journal, December 1, 2011

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) director general David Howman criticized the NFL Players Union (NFLPA) for opposing human growth hormone (HGH) testing in NFL players due to concerns that the testing protocols developed by WADA do not take into consideration the physique of NFL players.

“It is not about science, it is something else,” Howman said today of the NFLPA opposition to testing. “And that is frustrating…”

According to Howman, the NFLPA’s request for additional data on the WADA testing protocols was not viable as it would require a violation of the confidentiality provisions in the testing agreements with athletes. While speaking with reporters, Howman also noted he had never heard the argument that there could be a subgroup of athletes with a physical makeup that would make their sport differ from others in terms of HGH testing.

“The NFL themselves are approaching this in a very responsible (fashion),” Howman said.

Howman’s comments came during the kickoff for the second Partnership for Clean Competition, a conference organized by major sports leagues and drug testing agencies, hosted at the NFL headquarters.

For the complete story, click here.

College athletes file suit against NCAA

New York Times, November 30, 2011

Three former college football players and a former college soccer player have filed a class action lawsuit against the NCAA alleging negligence in the education and treatment of brain injuries to student athletes, reported the New York Times.

Steve Berman, the lawyer for the plaintiffs, asserts that the NCAA has a responsibility to educate players on the dangers of head injuries as well as cover the medical care for current and former athletes, according to the Times.

“You know you can get hurt, but you think you’re invincible. You never think about the cost of an injury, who’s going to bear those costs,” Berman said. “If you break an arm, you break an arm, [but with a concussion], a lot of these times, it comes and goes and you don’t really know you’ve hurt yourself.”

Donald Remy, NCAA general counsel and vice president of legal affairs, called the suit “wholly without merit” and maintained that the NCAA has been “at the forefront of safety issues,” reports the Times.

For the complete story, click here.

New study shows increased risk of head injuries in soccer

Education Week, November 29, 2011

A new study presented at the Radiological Society of North America’s annual meeting found that soccer players who frequently “head” the ball had the same brain abnormalities found in traumatic brain injury patients, reported Education Week.

“What we’ve shown here is compelling evidence that there are brain changes that look like traumatic brain injury as a result of heading a soccer ball with high frequency,” said Michael L. Lipton, a co-author of the study and associate director of the Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. “Given that soccer is the most popular sport worldwide and is played extensively by children, these are findings that should be taken into consideration in order to protect soccer players.”

While institutional changes may be needed to address head injuries in soccer, some soccer fans may be upset by limiting “heading” the ball, according to Education Week.

The NFL has become one of the largest advocates for concussion safety and awareness, focusing heavily on youth players, reports Education Week.

“People have criticized us as changing the game. I don’t believe that. I think we have taken techniques out of the game and improved the game and made it safer—and the game’s more popular than ever,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in October at the Congress of Neurological Surgeons’ annual meeting.

For the complete story, click here.

California legislation increases concussion awareness

The Sacramento Bee, November 28, 2011

New legislation in California taking effect in January will require the parents of student athletes to sign a concussion education form before their children participate in sports, reported The Sacramento Bee. The law will also require students to gain clearance from a certified medical professional before returning to play if they are suspected of suffering a concussion.

The NFL has raised awareness of the issue by educating players about the effects of head injuries as well as increasing player safety by limiting contact in practices and enforcing penalties for dangerous hits, according to the Bee.

“There’s definitely more awareness because of everything going on with the NFL,” said Christian Mahaffey, football coach at Rio Americano High School. “What happens with them eventually drips down our way.”

For the complete story, click here.

Hall of Famer discusses culture change in NFL

Journal Sentinel, November 23, 2011

The NFL has gone through a culture change and is taking precautions to improve player health and safety according to retired Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, reports the Journal Sentinel.

“When I played, they’d say, ‘You’re dinged, you’re all right,’” Kelly said. “I never really thought anything of it. You went back to practice and back to playing. You never really thought about it. So now they’re really starting to focus on concussions more than in the past. That’s what they should do.”

Today, players must be cleared by a neutral neurologist to return to the field if they are suspected of sustaining a head injury. Players are also given more time to recover from injuries – an improvement over when Kelly played, reports the Sentinel.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee co-chair to speak on concussions

Chicago Tribune, November 23, 2011

Dr. Hunt Batjer will be the featured speaker at an educational program on head injuries in youth sports reported the Chicago Tribune.

Dr. Batjer is a co-chair on the NFL’s Head, Neck and Spine Committee, which reports to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The committee is involved in research, forming recommendations for changes to rules to increase safety, establishing guidelines for when athletes can return to play following a concussion, and advocating for state laws that protect student athletes from returning to play too soon following a concussion.

“There is a huge difference between playing through hip pain and playing through an injury to the brain or spine,” says Dr. Batjer. “The latter can mean loss of function or even life. To ensure safety precautions are taken in your child’s sports program, get involved. Make sure medical decisions outweigh competitive decisions every time.”

The event titled, “What parents, coaches need to know about concussions,” will be held on Wednesday, December 7, from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. at the Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville. Registration for the program is required. Visit www.edward.org/concussion to register online or call (630) 527-6363.

To learn more, click here.

NFL observers to notify sideline of potential injuries

ESPN.com, November 23, 2011

According to an NFL memo obtained by ESPN.com, the NFL observer present in the press box of every game will be responsible to communicate directly with both teams’ sidelines to notify the medical staffs of possible undetected injuries. The memo will go into effect Thursday, November 24.

If a team’s staff is alerted to a possible injury, they must “verify that the player is being checked or that he will follow up on the situation,” reports ESPN. The observer may also be recommended to call the sidelines if staffers from the NFL’s command center see “a similar situation on the broadcast.”

ESPN reports the memo was distributed to all 32 teams of the NFL and all doctors on their staffs.

For the complete story, click here.

Rodgers adjusts play to stay safe on the field

Green Bay Press Gazette, November 22, 2011

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers turned his frustration after sustaining a concussion during a game last season into changes in how he plays the game, reports the Green Bay Press Gazette.

“Slide when you get first downs,” Rodgers said. “I think it’s important to remember my role on this team. If I’m not taking care of myself, I can hurt this team. If I got the first, I’m probably not going to outrun anybody or make too many guys miss, so make sure I get down pretty quickly.”

For the complete story, click here.

‘Genius Grant’ winner strives to make football safer

USA Today, November 22, 2011

University of North Carolina (UNC) professor and NFL Head Neck and Spine Committee member Kevin Guskiewicz is leading groundbreaking research into the hits that cause concussions in football and their effects in retired players, reported USA Today.

Guskiewicz is a recent recipient of a $500,000 MacArthur Foundation fellowship, often referred to as a genius grant, for his work equipping football helmets with accelerometers at UNC. He uses the devices to track the number of hits that players sustain to the head each season and the intensity of each blow. This data can then be used to push coaches from the NFL down to youth leagues into teaching updated, safer tackling techniques, according to the article.

“The issues in the NFL are a direct correlation to what has been taught previously,” said Everett Withers, a Pop Warner coach in Orange County, North Carolina. “And I think all that is going to change. Kevin is on the cutting edge. To me, the issue is taking what we know now and teaching kids the right way going forward.”

As chair of an NFL subcommittee on safety equipment and rule changes he has also been involved with shifting the league’s culture to minimize concussions. Guskiewicz credits the change to Commissioner Roger Goodell.

For the complete story, click here.

Gronkowski seeks to avoid concussion diagnosis

NBC Sports Pro Football Talk, November 22, 2011

Pro Football Talk reported today that Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski recently admitted that he would lie about the severity of his injuries in order to continue playing after a hit to the head. The blog post also states that Ben Roethlisberger and Peyton Manning have made similar confessions to media previously.

For the complete story, click here.

Mississippi among minority of states without youth concussion legislation

The Dispatch, November 19, 2011

Thirty states have passed laws to prevent youth athletes from returning to play too soon after sustaining a concussion, but Mississippi remains in the minority without any approved or pending legislation, according to The Dispatch.

The dangers of concussions and second-impact syndrome in youth sports have garnered increased media attention and public awareness in recent years, but Mississippi has yet to take action in addressing the issue across the state. While many coaches would welcome legislation that sets a clear procedure for safely handling hits to the head, others fail to see the importance in making the change, reported The Dispatch.

“I think coaches have the best interest of the kids at heart and I don’t think we need legislation to do our jobs,” said Aberdeen Mississippi High School coach Chris Duncan. “Ninety-nine percent of the coaches take it seriously and do their job well. That same one percent will do it whether it’s the law or not.”

For the complete story, click here.

Ex-NFL player Kris Jenkins discusses violence in football

New York Times, November 19, 2011

Kris Jenkins, the former Panthers and Jets defensive lineman, hopes to someday host a football camp for players that offers lessons in everything from personal finance to proper playing techniques, reported the New York Times.

Highlights from recent interviews with Jenkins discussing the reality of life as a professional football player, many of which focused on injuries and the violent nature of the game, are featured in the Times.

“I mean, guys play hurt, but it’s a choice. They do a pretty good job now, with all the scrutiny around concussions, “said Jenkins.

For the complete story, click here.

Editorial: changes needed in high school football

Education Week, November 17, 2011

In an editorial post for Education Week, writer Bryan Toporek calls for changes to make high school football safer.

Toporek calls for stronger penalties on helmet-to-helmet hits, including benching or suspending players for flagrant fouls. The NFL has increased enforcement of rules against illegal hits and has issued fines, but has not suspended any players under the new policy.

The editorial calls for a ban on the wedge formation, banned in the NFL during 2009 due to safety concerns. Mike Pereira, former vice president of officiating for the NFL, said that injuries occurred on 7 of every 100 kick plays compared with 5 of every 100 regular plays.

Mandatory baseline-concussion testing should be required, according to Toporek. At the beginning of a season, players are given a baseline test that can then be compared to test results after a player is suspected of sustaining a concussion.

Toporek also argues for the reduction of full-contact practices, a step taken by the NFL, the Ivy League and the NCAA. By reducing the amount of contact, players limit their risk of sustaining a concussion.

Lastly, Toporek states that helmets should be designed to protect players from lower impact hits that can cause concussions, instead of only high-impact hits as they are currently designed.

For the complete story, click here.

Researchers test for brain disease in retired NFL players

Associated Press, November 17, 2011

Boston University’s Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy (CSTE) plans to test about 100 retired NFL players in an attempt to develop a diagnosis for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated brain trauma, reported the Associated Press.

The CSTE has analyzed the brains of more than 70 deceased former athletes for CTE, but there is currently no method to diagnose the disease in living subjects. The new study, called DETECT, is the first on CTE funded by the NIH and will recruit retired NFL players to undergo medical tests in Boston. The findings will be compared with those of a group of 50 retired elite athletes from non-contact sports to identify differences in the NFL players who have experienced hits to the head and could possibly have CTE, according to the AP.

“There’s a sense that former players want to be able to do something to not only potentially help themselves but also to help get the research moving quickly to help others in the future,” said Robert Stern, co-director of the CSTE.

According to the AP, the first test subject recently completed testing, which includes multiple body scans, a spinal tap, blood work and a psychiatric interview. The researchers hope to increase the number of subjects into 2012 on a path to discovering a diagnostic marker.

For more information, click here.

NFL Player Care Foundation sponsors health screenings for former players

November 17, 2011

The NFL Player Care Foundation is sponsoring screenings for prostate cancer and cardiovascular health for former NFL players, in partnership with the American Urological Association Foundation and the Living Heart Foundation. The private event will be held on Saturday, November 19, Rutherford, N.J.

Former players who would like more information or to schedule an appointment can contact Kimberly Miller of the American Urological Association Foundation at 410-371-1462, or via email at kmiller@auafoundation.org or Scott Perryman of the Living Heart Foundation at 732-842-5584, or via email ScottLHF@gmail.com.

To learn more, click here.

San Diego Chargers player to sit out for remainder of season after concussion

San Diego Union-Tribune, November 16, 2011

After sustaining a concussion on the field and a seizure on his flight home, San Diego Chargers defensive lineman Kris Dielman will be on an injured reserve list and will not play for the remainder of the season, reported the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Following the initial hit during play, Dielman staggered backward and fell on the turf. The Chargers medical staff did not witness the play and were unaware of Dielman’s injury, but one of the officials on the field noticed the incident, according to the Tribune.

“That’s something that we believe is the responsibility of everybody who’s on the field, whether you’re a coach, medical professional, other players or officials,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell last week. “If you see somebody you think needs medical attention, safety is a priority and they should make sure the right medical attention is given, which means just alert the team and let the medical professionals make those decisions. We’re not asking them to make any medical decisions. This is something that’s evolving and we want to be ahead of the game.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL discusses player safety with youth fans

Education Week, November 15, 2011

A panel of NFL health and safety experts and representatives including Commissioner Roger Goodell spoke to youth football players, parents and coaches prior to the Jets-Patriots game Sunday about player safety, reported Education Week.

Commissioner Goodell was joined by Jets owner Woody Johnson, two former players and two medical consultants for the event, which included presentations and a question and answer session. The group discussed a range of health and safety issues with a strong focus on concussion prevention and treatment, according to Education Week.

“Concussions are a big topic, I think, in large part because we have made it a large topic,” Commissioner Goodell said after the event Sunday. “We have increased the awareness of concussions, and I think that’s good for everyone who plays not just football but anyone that plays any sport. It happens in other sports.”

For more information, click here.

Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis meets with Zackery Lystedt

BaltimoreRavens.com, November 15, 2011

Zackery Lystedt, a former youth football player who suffered a severe brain injury in 2006 after returning to a football game before healing from a concussion, recently had the opportunity to sit down with his idol, linebacker Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens.

Since Zack’s injury, his family and the  NFL have worked to pass laws across the U.S. protecting youth athletes from returning to play too soon after sustaining a head injury. So far, the Lystedt Law and similar legislation has been passed in 31 states.

For video of Zack’s recent meeting with Ray Lewis, click here.

To learn more about the Lystedt Law, click here.

10 important facts about concussions

The Washingtonian, November 15, 2011

Dr. Richard Ellenbogen, co-chair of the NFL’s Head, Neck and Spine Committee, is working with the NFL and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to bring concussion awareness and treatment to the forefront of youth and professional sports, according to the Washingtonian.

Dr. Ellenbogen recently sat down with the publication to reveal 10 facts about concussions that he feels everyone should know. The information ranges from a description of what happens to a person’s brain when a concussion occurs, to the negative effect that concussions can have on students’ academic careers.

“The reason I do [this work] is for 30 million youth athletes in the country,” said Dr. Ellenbogen.

For the complete story, click here.

Pennsylvania governor signs youth concussion legislation

WNEP16 ABC, November 14, 2011

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett signed youth concussion legislation Monday aimed at protecting student athletes from the dangerous effects of head injuries, reported ABC affiliate WNEP16.

Supported by the NFL, the Eagles and the Steelers, the Safety in Youth Sports Act will require coaches and trainers to undergo certification training for handling students with concussions. The law also requires that players suspected of suffering a concussion are removed from play immediately and cleared by a certified medical professional before returning, according to WNEP16.

“It clarifies things, because sometimes coaches put pressure on the trainer to put a kid back in play when they really shouldn’t be playing,” said Stroudsburg area high school Athletic Director Beth Ross. “It makes it easier for us and makes it safer for our students.”

For the complete story, click here.

Editorial: Guidelines for head injuries welcome in Wisconsin

Green Bay Press-Gazette, November 13, 2011

In an editorial, the Green Bay Press-Gazette supported a bill aimed at protecting youth athletes from the dangers of head injuries. The bill was passed last month by the Wisconsin state Assembly .

The bill mandates that players suspected of suffering a concussion be removed from play immediately, and prevented from returning until cleared by a certified medical professional.

The Department of Public Instruction and Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association will also be directed to develop educational materials for coaches, athletes and parents about the dangers of concussions in athletic activities under the new bill.

NFL Senior Vice President Jeff Miller supported the legislation and encouraged its passage. The bill is currently in a state Senate committee for discussion, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL teams aim to adapt to injuries

Associated Press, November 12, 2011

The high level of physicality needed to succeed in the NFL requires coaches and players to be acutely aware that injuries are common and that teams must plan for them, reported the Associated Press.

When star players have to sit out due to injuries, teams are forced to alter game strategies and adapt to working with backups. The loss of a single player often requires shifting two or more teammates to fill the gap, according to the Associated Press.

“You have to prepare your team to adapt,” said Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher. “In football, injuries are a part of it. You know you’re not going to keep the same team throughout the year because of the physicality of this game.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL Youth Fan Forum emphasizes safety in football

November 14, 2011

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed a group of 200 youth football players, parents and coaches from the New York City area in a fan forum focused on player safety for all athletes at Met Life stadium on Sunday. Commissioner Goodell was joined by Jets owner Woody Johnson, NFL Head Neck and Spine Committee member Dr. Margot Putukian, Jets Head Team Physician Kenneth Montgomery, former player and Jets Player Development Director Dave Szott and NFL Vice President of Player Engagement, former player Troy Vincent.

“All of you are football players and all of you love the game of football, but it is also important no matter what sport you play that you play it safely,” said Commissioner Goodell, addressing the youth players in attendance. “That means understanding the rules; that means understanding your equipment; and that means understanding your body to make sure when you are not feeling well that you get the proper medical care.”

The featured speakers each addressed a different aspect of the NFL’s commitment to improving safety in football at all levels with an emphasis on concussion prevention. Dr. Putukian impact of head injuries on all athletes at all levels of play. Dr. Montgomery described the importance of sideline procedures that ensure players suspected of sustaining head injuries are removed from play. Szott and Vincent recalled their experiences with injuries as former players and urged the young players to take safety issues in sports seriously. The event concluded with a question and answer session with Commissioner Goodell.

“It was great,” said Commissioner Goodell when asked about the forum by media afterward. “The kids had questions. They were interested. People are starting to understand these concussions when they happen. They’re also into prevention.

Sylvia Mackey honors husband’s legacy

Associate Press, November 11, 2011

Sylvia Mackey, wife of the late NFL football player John Mackey, will speak in Baltimore on Monday to educate parents, athletes and mental health providers about sports-related head injuries, reported Associated Press.

Mackey will appear as a part of a series of forums around the country hosted by the NFL and the Morehouse School of Medicine to discuss mental health. Former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher and retired NFL players Eric Hipple and Mark Kelso also will appear on the panel.

“I think it’s important from the standpoint that my husband wanted to help people, and I feel that I can provide firsthand experience about the ramifications of head injuries in sports,” said Mackey. “Many of the people in the audience have young kids starting football, others are care-giver professionals and others are care-givers of people who are at home.”

John Mackey suffered from dementia before his passing. The “88 plan,” named for Mackey and funded by the NFL and NFL Players Association, provides $88,000 per year for nursing home care and up to $50,000 annually for adult day care for former NFL players with dementia.

For the complete story, click here.

NHL concussion disclosure procedure questioned

New York Times, November 10, 2011

The NHL has earned praise for its efforts to reduce concussions in hockey, but its injury disclosure policy has recently been questioned for allowing teams to be vague about the specifics of players’ health, reported the New York Times.

Rangers defenseman Marc Staal took a hard hit during a game last February and was removed from play under claims that he had injured his knee. It wasn’t until September that the Rangers revealed that Staal had actually suffered a concussion and was still sitting out of games with post-concussion symptoms, according to the Times.

“You guys didn’t ask, so I didn’t give you the information,” Rangers Coach John Tortorella said in September to media when asked why the Rangers did not disclose Staal’s concussion.

Teams are currently not required to volunteer specifics about players’ injuries in an effort to protect their privacy, but some are questioning how this fits with the league’s concussion prevention policies, according to the Times.

“When you’re dealing with a serious, life-altering thing like a brain injury, you don’t minimize it,” said Dr. Paul S. Echlin, a concussion specialist and researcher from London, Ontario. “It’s a player’s individual right not to disclose. But this not giving the full answer is a difficulty I have with it. If you’re going to go forward with concussion prevention, you have to be honest and open about it.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL Commissioner Goodell disappointed by delay in human growth hormone testing

Associated Press, November 9, 2011

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday that he is disappointed with the NFL Players Association’s slow movement in approving league-wide tests for human growth hormone (HGH), but remains optimistic that testing will begin this season, reported the Associated Press.

“We think it’s the right thing to do,” said Commissioner Goodell. “We agreed to it. We think it’s the right thing to do for player safety, we think it’s important for the credibility of the game, we think it’s important as a message to kids who not only play our game, but play any game. You shouldn’t be taking performance-enhancing drugs and HGH is certainly something we need to be testing for.”

Commissioner Goodell also discussed the NFL’s new initiative for monitoring concussions on the field. Game officials have been asked to monitor players more closely for concussion symptoms and to alert the proper medical staff if they suspect an athlete has sustained a head injury.

“That’s something that we believe is the responsibility of everybody who’s on the field, whether you’re a coach, medical professional, other players or officials,” said Commissioner Goodell. “If you see somebody you think needs medical attention, safety is a priority and they should make sure the right medical attention is given, which means just alert the team and let the medical professionals make those decisions.”

For the complete story, click here.

Stanford University football team participates in concussion study

Contra Costa Times, November 8, 2011

Stanford University’s football team is the first in the nation to perform field research on head injuries using mouth guards that measure the force of hits during tackles, reported the Contra Costa Times.

The mouth guards, made by X2 Impact in Seattle, contain wireless transmitters that send impact data to sideline monitors during games. The information is then stored in a database where it can be analyzed to help researchers increase safety and injury prevention, according to the Times.

“Some NFL players also may use impact sensors next season for a study,” said Kevin Guskiewicz, a sports medicine researcher and member of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee.

For the complete story, click here.

New York Jets follow NFL concussion protocol

ESPN.com, November 7, 2011

New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan insists that the team followed the NFL’s new concussion protocol before allowing tight end Dustin Keller to return to the field on Sunday, reported ESPN.com

“We never would put Dustin in if he wasn’t 100% cleared,” Ryan said.

The NFL requires players suspected of sustaining a concussion to be immediately removed from the sideline and to pass a variety of tests before returning to the game. Keller was suspected of suffering a head injury during the first half of the game, but returned in the second half after passing tests performed by the Jets’ medical staff.

For the complete story, click here.

U.S. Congressman Waxman calls delay over human growth hormone testing unacceptable

ESPN.com, November 4, 2011

In an opinion piece published on ESPN.com today, U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman expressed disappointment in the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) for stalling on its agreement with the NFL to begin testing players for human growth hormone (HGH) use.

According to Waxman, the NFLPA’s claims that current HGH testing methods lack scientific validity are unfounded. He quotes several scientific experts asserting that the tests are safe and reliable throughout the article, and questions the NFLPA’s true motivations behind the delay.

“I have commended the NFL and NFLPA in the past for their commitment to eradicating performance-enhancing drugs from professional football,” wrote Waxman. “That commitment is now facing its most serious test. I urge both organizations to rise to the challenge and begin testing for HGH without delay.”

For the complete story, click here.

U.S. Sen. John McCain discusses human growth hormone testing in NFL

The Dan Patrick Show, November 3, 2011

U.S. Sen. John McCain called into The Dan Patrick Show this morning and chatted about a variety of sports-related topics, including his frustration with the delay in implementing human growth hormone testing in the NFL.

Said McCain: “I am very disappointed, frankly, in the NFL.  I would imagine I am not as disappointed as (Congressmen Darrell) Issa and (Elijah) Cummings were after they came out and said, ‘Hey!  They are going to start the testing,’ and the players said, ‘Not so fast.’

For a transcript excerpt of the show, click here.

NFL will train game officials to recognize concussion symptoms

ESPN.com, November 2, 2011

San Diego Chargers defensive lineman Kris Dielman’s recent head injury and subsequent seizure has prompted the NFL to educate game officials to recognize concussion symptoms in players, reported ESPN.com.

“We are taking the step on officials to make them alert to obvious concussion symptoms,” said NFL spokesman Greg Aiello. “We’re not trying to train the officials to be doctors, but we’re asking them to treat it like other injuries that may make it necessary to stop the game and get them medical attention, either on the field or by getting them off the field.”

A training tape that referees watch weekly before each game will now include instructions on identifying concussion symptoms. The NFL also plans to have doctors speak about the issue at its annual officiating clinic, according to ESPN.

For the complete story, click here.

Youth concussion awareness expanding

The Denver Post, October 30, 2011

Increased media attention and new legislation in many states have heightened concussion awareness and motivated football coaches and players to take extra precaution in preventing brain injuries, reported The Denver Post.

The NFL recently instituted new return-to-play guidelines for concussed players, one of several initiatives focused on reducing traumatic brain injuries in the league. The NHL has also given attention to the issue and is strictly enforcing rules against hits to the head. Steps taken at the professional level are trickling down to youth levels and fueling the passage of youth concussion legislation in many states, according to the Post.

Beginning Jan. 1, Colorado law will require concussion education for coaches, parents and athletes The state will also require that  any youth player who has sustained a hit to the head is evaluated and cleared by a certified medical professional before returning to play. In preparation, many teams are offering concussion training for coaches and instituting Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing, a tool that helps gauge the time an athlete needs to recover after a head injury. Football culture surrounding concussions is shifting dramatically at the youth level, according to the Post.

“I really wanted to get back and start playing right away,” said Brady Bender, a youth hockey player who was benched due to a concussion. “But I tried to focus on the long run. If I go back too early, I could ruin my whole career with one hit and be done.”

For the complete story, click here.

Youth athletes may try to cheat on concussion tests, psychologist says

Press-Register, October 30, 2011

New legislation in Alabama mandates concussion education for coaches, athletes and parents, and requires  players to be cleared by a certified medical professional before returning to play after suffering a head injury, reported the Press-Register. Despite the development, concerns remain that students may intentionally fail baseline cognitive tests used in concussion assessments in order to continue playing after sustaining a head injury.

“We have evidence of sandbagging with 23 percent for college and 16 percent for high school,” said Martin Rohling, a professor of psychology at the University of South Alabama. “We know they didn’t try hard.”

The evidence was developed from a symptom validity test that determined the amount of effort students were exhibiting during their baseline evaluation. When students intentionally underperform on their baseline tests, it greatly increases the chances they will return to play after an injury before it is safe, according to the Press-Register.

“The worst thing that can happen is to send a player back in,” said Juan Ronderos, neurosurgeon and founder of the Watson Neuroscience Foundation. “The second injury is much worse. That’s when you get permanent cognitive dysfunction.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL investigates Dielman concussion circumstances

Associated Press, October 28, 2011

The NFL is investigating circumstances surrounding the concussion San Diego Chargers defensive lineman Kris Dielman sustained during a game against the New York Jets on Oct. 23, reported the Associated Press.

Questions were raised after Dielman remained in the game after a hit to the head and then had a grand mal seizure during his flight home, according to the Associated Press. Chargers coach Norv Turner insists that the injury was handled as well as possible.

NFL Vice President Brian McCarthy said in an email statement that a customary review of the injury is ongoing.

For the complete story, click here.

Fujita praises concussion diagnosis and post-injury care

The Plain Dealer, October 27, 2011

Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita is expected to return to play this Sunday after taking time off to recover from a concussion he sustained during a game on Oct. 16, reported The Plain Dealer. Fujita has expressed satisfaction with how the Brown’s doctors and trainers handled the treatment of his concussion.

“I felt like the management from the point that it happened through yesterday was just fantastic,” said Fujita. “So that makes me feel really, really good. I couldn’t be happier with the way [trainer] Joe Sheehan and our doctors handled everything.”

Fujita also discussed concussion management with tight end Ben Watson and receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, who are both currently sitting out due to head injuries, according to The Plain Dealer.

“I talked to both of those guys after their issues happened,” said Fujita. “It’s tough when this happens, it’s a part of this game, unfortunately. I keep talking about the management and care, that’s the most important thing.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL Player Care Foundation supports former players

WPLG10 ABC, October 24, 2011

Former linebacker Ron Pritchard played football in the NFL for eight years, sustaining extensive damage to his knees, reported ABC news affiliate WPLG10 in Miami. Now a retired player with no insurance or NFL salary, Pritchard sought medical assistance from the NFL Player Care Foundation, created in 2007 to improve the quality of life of former players.

“For the majority of guys, they come out of the game and they are affected by the experience of being hit not only during the NFL years, but during the college years, during their high school game years, and playing as a child, so by the time even a short career is over, many of these guys do come out pretty banged up,” said Dana Lihan, program director for the NFL Player Care Foundation.

Pritchard received knee replacement surgery through the joint replacement program at Broward General Medical Center, 1 of 14 centers around country participating in the NFL Player Care program.

“We’ve worked with the Player Care Foundation since its inception,” said Dr. W. Vincent Burke, an orthopedic surgeon with Broward. “The joint replacement, when successful, can greatly improve their quality of life, improve their mobility and take them out of pain.”

For the complete story, click here.

Increased concussion awareness in youth sports

The Ithaca Journal, October 21, 2011

As more youth athletes and parents learn about the dangers of head injuries and concussions, the old adage “tough it out” is being replaced by advice to “sit it out,” reported The Ithaca Journal.

With major sports leagues including the NFL working to reduce concussions and raise awareness around head injuries, lawmakers at the state and federal levels have followed suit in order to protect youth athletes. The resulting increase in awareness and education is leading to a safer game at all levels, according to the Journal.

“We’re seeing a very big influx in the number of kids who are coming in for treatment of concussions,” said Dr. Donald Phykitt, director of sports medicine for the Guthrie Clinic in Sayre, Pa. “I think probably a lot of it has to do with education, so people know what they’re looking for. The coaches, the parents and other doctors are taking it more seriously.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s contribution to football’s concussion culture

SteinbergSports.com, October 21, 2011

According to Jean Rickerson, writing for SteinbergSports.com, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s legacy will include the sweeping cultural change he initiated in football that is shifting how society views and addresses concussions.

In 2010 Commissioner Goodell sent letters to all state governors urging them to pass legislation calling for concussion education for youth coaches, athletes and parents. The legislation would also require that any youth athlete suspected of suffering a head injury is removed from play and cleared by a certified medical professional before returning.

In addition to his work with state legislation, Commissioner Goodell has overseen health and safety rule changes in the NFL that are promoting safer hitting techniques. As the modifications trickle down to the college and youth levels, parents of football players are able to breathe easier, according to Rickerson. Youth coaches can now modify practices and drills to ensure safety, and college and high school players will suffer fewer concussions while continuing to emulate the professionals.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL Health and Safety Advisory Committee Announced

October 21, 2011

Commissioner Roger Goodell has named a new league committee on health and medical issues that will be chaired by San Francisco 49ers owner John York.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Atlanta Falcons President and CEO Rich McKay, New York Giants owner John Mara, and Green Bay Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy will be the other members of the new Health and Safety Advisory Committee.

“Player health and safety has been a key focus of the league for decades,” said Goodell. “An ownership-level committee will support and oversee all of our work in this area that is critical to the future of the game.”

Changing NFL culture difficult, but important

The Detroit News, October 21, 2011

The NFL is facing a difficult, but important challenge in reshaping football culture and diminishing the peer pressure that many injured athletes may have previously felt to return to play according to The Detroit News. While some players are struggling to adjust to new guidelines, many are beginning to appreciate the intentions behind the changes, reports The Detroit News.

“That’s the toughest thing.” said Detroit Lions linebacker Justin Durant, who recently sustained the second concussion of his NFL career. “Because our whole mentality is we’re gonna play through whatever. It’s a tough game that we play. We realize injuries come. But at the same time, I’ve got to look at it like, ‘This is my life.’ This is a brain injury. It’s not a leg or an ankle or a wrist or anything like that. It’s something that could affect me for the rest of my life. It’s hard to really balance that out. … But that’s why they have the doctors and the (trainers) to say, ‘Hey, man, you can’t go.’ You just have to be honest with them and tell them what’s going on.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL addresses in-game medical arrangement questions

NBC Sports Pro Football Talk, October 20, 2011

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello responded to concerns surrounding the use of independent neurologists during games on Wednesday, reported Pro Football Talk. Questions were raised following the injuries, and subsequent return to play of Eagles quarterback Michael Vick and Lions running back Jahvid Best in recent games.

“Given the fact that teams are mandated to have board-certified medical physicians and athletic trainers on each sideline that have been trained to recognize and triage a wide range of medical issues, including concussions, we have complete confidence in our medical staffs to follow the guidelines,” Aiello said via email to Pro Football Talk

The NFL uses independent neurologists off the field to eliminate the concern that team-hired physicians may succumb to pressure from on-field needs when evaluating injured players, according to Pro Football Talk. The author of the editorial suggests that the NFL should include the independent neurologists in evaluations made during games as well.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL details plans to collect players’ blood samples for HGH testing

Associated Press, October 20, 2011

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a letter to several congressional committee leaders Wednesday outlining the league’s plans to begin collecting and saving players’ blood samples in order to test for the use of human growth hormone (HGH), reported the Associated Press.

In the letter, Commissioner Goodell emphasized that samples would not be used for testing or disciplinary action until an agreement on the procedure was reached between the NFL and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA). The NFLPA agreed to allow HGH testing as part of its bargaining agreement with the league in late July, but has since refused to agree upon implementing tests, citing concerns with current testing methods, according to the Associated Press.

The article states that nearly two dozen scientists and lab directors from around the world recently verified that current HGH tests are safe and reliable in a letter to Commissioner Goodell and NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith.

For the complete story, click here.

Death of high school athlete heightens attention on football safety concerns

New York Times, October 19, 2011

The sudden death of Ridge Barden, a 16-year-old New York high school football player, has refocused attention on the inherent dangers of contact sports and the importance of improving safety in football, reported the New York Times. The student, who had no history of head trauma and was wearing certified safety equipment, suffered a fatal brain bleed after helmet-to-helmet contact with another player during a game.

According to the Times, two certified athletic trainers and three student trainers from a nearby university were on hand to treat the youth athlete on the field. Emergency responders were on the scene within a few minutes of Barden showing signs of injury, but his condition deteriorated too rapidly for anything to be done.

“You can have the perfect plan in place but if all of these things happen, it can still result in a catastrophic injury and death,” said Kevin Guskiewicz, NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee member, and the chairman of the department of exercise and sports science at the University of North Carolina.

Barden’s death comes at a time when attention focused on brain injuries in football is heightened, and coaches and players are working to learn new ways to improve safety, reported the Times.

For the complete story, click here.

ImPACT test one of many tools to assess severity and effects of concussions

The Washington Post, October 17, 2011

Around 2 million athletes in the U.S. have undergone Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT), reported The Washington Post.

The 30-minute computerized test measures cognitive abilities including word and shape recall, reaction time, attention and working memory. Athletes take a baseline test at the beginning of each season and then retake the test if they are suspected of suffering a concussion. The system provides a method of determining when an athlete can safely return to play.

The ImPACT test is not the only tool available for determining the severity of a concussion. Other tools, such as balance testing invented by MacArthur “genius” grant winner and NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee member Kevin Guskiewicz, are being employed by physicians as well.

Critics of ImPACT testing worry that that evaluation method will be used as a sole means for determining if athletes are ready to return to play. Additionally, some worry that players will internationally perform poorly on the baseline tests so that post-concussion tests look better in comparison and mask symptoms, according to the Post.

It is extremely important to prevent athletes from playing while concussed, primarily to prevent ‘second impact syndrome’, a rare occurrence where athletes sustain severe damage while recovering from a prior concussion, according to the Post.

For the complete story, click here.

New points of emphasis showing results in NFL

Sports Illustrated, October 14, 2011

Over the past year the NFL has increased fines and emphasized safety rules to decrease helmet-to-helmet hits and hits on defenseless ball carriers, reported Sports Illustrated. The efforts have paid off, leading to a change in how defenders hit and an improvement in player safety.

“As we look at the one-year anniversary,” said Ray Anderson, the NFL’s executive vice president for football operations, “we can say it’s a pretty happy anniversary. As we have studied it over the past year, there is no question in our minds that players have adjusted their target areas. There is no question they are aiming lower. I think we have a safer game than we had a year ago.”

Professionals outside of the NFL are noticing the league’s progress as well, according to Sports Illustrated.

“I see more safeties hitting with the shoulder and aiming lower,” said Chris Nowinski, president of the brain-trauma think tank Sports Legacy Institute. “People said players couldn’t be retaught, but they have been. And the game hasn’t suffered.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL and NFL Players Union to meet with Congress on HGH testing

Associated Press, October 13, 2011

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Travis Tygart, CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, along with other representatives from the NFL, NFL Players Association (NFLPA) and the Agency met with U.S. Congressman Darrell Issa and Congressman Elijah Cummings about testing players for human growth hormone (HGH), reported the Associated Press.

“We look forward to cooperating with the committee and working with the NFLPA to start HGH testing in the NFL as soon as possible,” said NFL spokesman Greg Aiello.

According to the Associated Press, the NFLPA requested data from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) about the athletes originally used to develop the test, out of concern that NFL players may naturally produce more HGH than other athletes. The WADA will not provide the requested information, referring the NFLPA to the publicly available information instead.

Approximately two dozen scientists and lab directors endorsed the safety and reliability of the HGH test in a letter sent to the NFLPA and the NFL.

For the complete story, click here.

Top scientists show support for validity of HGH test

Associated Press, October 13, 2011

In two letters sent to the NFL and NFL Players Association (NFLPA) nearly five dozen doctors, scientists and lab directors endorsed the safety and reliability of the test for Human Growth Hormone (HGH) that the NFL hopes to implement, reported the Associated Press.

One letter sent to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith in support of testing players for HGH is signed by 23 scientists and lab directors and says, “Any suggestion in the press that its accuracy is a matter of debate is incorrect.”

Another letter originally sent to Larry Bowers, the lead scientist at the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, and then forwarded by U.S. Anti-Doping Association CEO, Travis Tygart to Commissioner Goodell and Smith, states, “We want to take the opportunity to confirm that the test itself is scientifically accepted and has undergone extensive evaluation.”

“This further demonstrates that there is simply no excuse for delaying the start of HGH testing in the NFL,” said NFL spokesman Greg Aiello. “The scientific validity of the test is unquestioned. The abuse of growth hormone must be deterred to protect the health of our players and send the right message to young athletes in all sports.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL culture change should extend to comments between players

CBSSports.com, October 12, 2011

Peyton Hillis of the Cleveland Browns and Justin Tuck of the New York Giants garnered criticism from a former player for sitting out games due to injuries and health conditions, reported CBSSports.com.

According to the story, one of the issues facing the NFL in its attempt to change the culture surrounding football injuries is that current and former players often criticize their injured teammates. Author Mike Freeman notes that some players are quick to criticize injured athletes sitting out of the game and taking time to heal. According to Freeman, players should refrain from criticizing athletes when they prioritize their health.

For the complete story, click here.

NHL uses rule changes and steps up enforcement to make game safer

Sports Illustrated, October 10, 2011

The NHL is improving player safety though rule changes and stricter enforcement of existing rules, reports Sports Illustrated.

The most significant changes for the current season include revisions to Rule 48, which now penalizes all intentional or reckless hits to the head, as well as slight changes to Rule 41, which expands the definition of boarding. Former player Brendan Shanahan, the NHL’s head disciplinarian, is vigorously enforcing the rules in an effort to change NHL culture and ensure the safety of its players, according to the story.

After Sydney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins suffered a severe concussion last January, the issue of head injuries in hockey has been amplified, and more ambitious changes have been made.

For the complete story, click here.

Rule changes have largest return for player safety

ESPN Magazine, October 9, 2011

According to Peter Keating of ESPN Magazine, while the NFL is much safer today because of rule changes and improved safety equipment, the increased perception of safety may cause some athletes to play more recklessly.

As Keating notes, while changes in safety equipment are intended to make players safer, they also have the potential to lead players to take more risks, with the assumption that the improved equipment will protect them. According to ESPN, the best way to decrease injuries and increase players’ well-being is through rule changes that limit their ability to play recklessly.

For the complete story, click here.

CDC report indicates rise in concussion awareness

New York Times, October 6, 2011

A report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday found that emergency room visits by children and adolescents for brain injuries jumped more than 60 percent from 2001 to 2009, reported the New York Times.

“We believe that one reason for the increase in emergency department visits among children and adolescents may be a result of the growing awareness among parents and coaches, and the public as a whole, about the need for individuals with a suspected T.B.I. to be seen by a health care professional,” said Dr. Linda C. Degutis, director of the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.

The NFL has taken broad steps to reduce the number of head injuries among football players at all levels and promote concussion education.

“I view the numbers as encouraging,” said Dr. Robert Cantu, co-director of Boston University’s Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy and an advisor to the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee. “Some people will say that the numbers go up because the number of concussions is going up, but I don’t believe it is.”

For the complete story, click here.

Officials warn of dangers in anti-concussion product claims

National Public Radio, October 5, 2011

One result of the NFL’s efforts to increase player safety has been an increase in the number of companies promoting anti-concussion products, reported National Public Radio.

One of the chief concerns with these companies for Dave Halstead, technical adviser to the NFL Players Association, is that the promotional language they employ may lead parents to overestimate their products’ abilities.

“Anybody who sits down with you and says I have a device that if your child wears it will either diagnose a concussion or prevent a concussion is lying,” said Halstead.

Concussion expert Dr. Gary Gioia worries that consumers may read about a product designed to “curb concussions” and mistakenly believe that they have purchased a concussion-proof helmet, according to National Public Radio.

For the complete story, click here.

Deceased NHL star diagnosed with brain disease

New York Times, October 5, 2011

Rick Martin, a former seven-time NHL All-Star who died of heart disease in 2010, received a post-mortem diagnosis of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease linked to head trauma, reported the New York Times. The diagnosis was discovered and announced by Boston University’s Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy (CSTE) on Wednesday.

Martin’s heart problems were not believed to have been caused by CTE. He suffered only one recorded concussion during his career, and did not show signs of depression or dementia, both typical symptoms of the disease, according to the New York Times.

“Rick Martin was not symptomatic,” said Dr. Robert Cantu, a director at the CSTE. “He was living a very rich, productive life and was highly functional.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL plans long-term concussion study to increase player safety

New York Times, October 3, 2011

The NFL’s committee on concussion research announced plans to perform a broad study to determine the long-range effects of concussions at the Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting on Monday in Washington, D.C., reported the New York Times.

Dr. Mitchel Berger, chair for the NFL’s Subcommittee on Former Players and Long-Term Effects of Brain and Spine Injury, plans to begin collecting data as early as next season. The study will include about 1,400 people aged 45-49, split into three groups. The first group will be composed of former NFL players; the second of people who played college football but never at a professional level; and the third of non-athletes who are medically similar to the first two groups and can serve as controls.

“There is nothing more important to the NFL than the safety of our players, and there is no issue of greater importance when it comes to player safety than the effective prevention, diagnosis and treatment of concussions,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “The more we can learn about the brain, the better for all. And we can be the leaders.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL Commissioner heralds success of player safety measures

USA Today, October 3, 2011

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell emphasized the League’s recent success in improving player safety during a speech at the annual meeting of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons on Monday, reported USA Today. The NFL has introduced penalties, fines and the threat of suspension for illegal hits to the head and moved kickoffs up five yards to minimize concussions and other injuries.

“Players are playing the game differently,” said Commissioner Goodell. “They’re not using their heads. And I think they’re having the same impact in either tacking or separating the ball in the case of a pass play.”

Commissioner Goodell also stated that despite comments from naysayers, the new rules have not diminished the game’s popularity.

“The bottom line: the game is both safer and more popular than ever today,” he said. “So we will not be deterred, and every year our Competition Committee will continue to review injuries.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL Commissioner pushes for youth concussion laws across the nation

Education Week, October 3, 2011

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell spoke to 2,000 neurosurgeons at the 2011 Congress of Neurological Surgeons on Monday about improving health and safety awareness at all levels of football, reported Education Week. His speech addressed concussion issues in all sports and emphasized the League’s support of the passage of youth-concussion laws in all 50 states in the near future.

“Concussions are not just an NFL or sports issue,” said Commissioner Goodell. “They are a public health issue…leadership and collaboration across all sports will be critical.”

During a press conference after the speech, Commissioner Goodell spoke with reporters about the progress the NFL has made in changing the culture of the game to improve safety so far. The NFL has introduced new rules that promote proper hitting and is working with helmet makers to develop products that better protect players. The NFL and the NFL Players Union have also agreed to invest $100 million into medical research with a focus on concussions over the next 10 years, according to Education Week.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL Players Association continues to stall on HGH testing

USA Today, September 29, 2011

The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) is continuing to stonewall the NFL from implementing blood tests for human growth hormone (HGH) after agreeing to the testing in August, stated an editorial in USA Today.

The NFL has been testing for steroids and illegal drugs for years to ensure the health of its players and the integrity of the league. Although doctors use HGH to treat a few select conditions, the substance can induce harmful side effects including hypertension and abnormal bone growth when abused, according to USA Today.

The test that the NFL has proposed to use was developed by the World Anti-Doping Agency and can detect distorted ratios of HGH in the blood that occur when a synthetic version of the hormone has been injected.

The NFL plans to hold unannounced tests on 5-10 players from three teams each week, all chosen randomly. Although the NFLPA claims that it is concerned with the reliability of the test, the test is currently being used in the Olympics and minor league baseball. About 4,000 athletes have been tested and only eight have failed since the test was developed in 2004, according to USA Today.

For the complete story, click here.

CDC to establish concussion protocol for students

Associated Press, September 28, 2011

U.S. Senator Robert Menendez and Congressman Bill Pascrell announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will develop a national protocol for managing sports-related concussions for youth athletes, reported the Associated Press.

The CDC will assemble a panel of experts to review existing studies and determine national guidelines for addressing concussions in youth athletes. The CDC expects the panel to have the guidelines ready for distribution to the public by fall of 2014, according to Pascrell.

“Sports are a great way for kids and teens to stay healthy and this project will help us continue the important work in traumatic brain injuries in sports and other activities,” said Dr. Linda C. Degutis of CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. “CDC’s new initiative on pediatric guidelines will work to improve diagnosis and management of brain injuries in younger children and teens who are injured on or off the playing field.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL Players Association continues to delay HGH testing

The Star-Ledger, September 27, 2011

The NFL Players Association has yet to approve the plan for testing players for human growth hormone (HGH), the last unresolved item from the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, reported The Star-Ledger.

“We’re waiting to hear back from the union,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We hope sooner rather than later. We wanted to start at the beginning of the regular season.”

According to The Star-Ledger, Congress has sent letters to both the NFL and NFLPA urging them to implement HGH testing. The NFL will become the first major American sports league to test for HGH when an agreement is reached.

For the complete story, click here.

New York governor signs youth concussion legislation

Education Week, September 26, 2011

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the “Concussion Management and Awareness Act,” designed to protect youth athletes from the dangers of head injuries last week, reported Education Week. The NFL supports passage of similar legislation in all states and praised Governor Cuomo’s actions.

The law requires concussion education for coaches, athletes and parents. It also requires that athletes suspected of sustaining concussions are removed from play immediately, and do not return to play until they are cleared by a certified medical professional.

Additionally, the law mandates that physical education teachers, school nurses and athletic trainers receive concussion training every two years.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL players improving how they hit

New York Times, September 26, 2011

The NFL’s efforts to protect players from head and neck injuries are slowly changing the way hits and tackles are made, reported the New York Times. The NFL made a change in culture, as demonstrated by signs that players are adapting to new safety rules, adjusting their hitting techniques, and making proper tackling a priority, according to the Times.

“Yes, I’ve lowered my strike zone,” said Curtis Loftin of the Atlanta Falcons. “I didn’t want to hurt myself, but more importantly, I don’t want to hurt my team with a penalty. All I remember was I wanted to make a good, clean tackle; I didn’t want to go for the kill shot. I just wanted to hit him in the legs, chest or stomach. That’s what I was aiming for.”

The NFL recorded a decline in plays for which fines were assessed between the 2009 and 2010 seasons, proving that its work to familiarize all players and coaches with the importance of health and safety measures is paying off, according to the Times.

“Given enough instruction to both players and coaches that certain rules are going to be enforced more rigorously, we were very confident that players and coaches — they are very bright and very skilled — would make the adjustment,” said Ray Anderson, the NFL’s executive vice president for football operations. “At this point, we’re actually quite pleased with the progress we’re making. We’re not there yet. But there has definitely been an improvement in the play and the coaching.”

For the complete story, click here.

HGH testing delayed by NFL Players Association

USA Today, September 26, 2011

Despite agreeing to human growth hormone (HGH) testing in the recent labor contract, the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) has not approved the NFL’s proposed testing plan reported USA Today. The plan calls for the use of tests developed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) which are used in the Olympics and minor league baseball. In the four Olympic games that have taken place since the tests were implemented in 2004, there have been no positive tests for HGH. The NFLPA claims the tests are not reliable and additional information is needed to support the validity of the tests.

“If we’re in the middle of it (the dispute), that’s pretty irritable,” said David Howman, WADA’s director general.  “There’s nothing else that we can give them.”

For the complete story, click here.

Cleveland Browns host NFL ATLAS and ATHENA anti-steroid program for youth athletes

ClevelandBrowns.com, September 22, 2011

The Cleveland Browns invited 200 students and 50 coaches from local high schools to participate in the NFL ATLAS (Adolescents Training and Learning to Avoid Steroids) and ATHENA (Athletes Targeting Healthy Exercise and Nutrition Alternatives) steroid prevention and education program at the team’s stadium, reported ClevelandBrowns.com.

The NFL ATLAS and ATHENA program has been implemented in 14 NFL markets and reached more than 30,000 youth athletes and 800 coaches during the last four years. The program is implemented in partnership with Oregon Health and Science University.

“It gives high school athletes — both male and female — the opportunity to go back to their schools and implement a steroid education and prevention program to their fellow student-athletes,” said Matt Yunker, coordinator of community outreach for the Browns. “The great thing is it’s a peer-based program, so the athletes are the ones teaching their teammates.”

For the complete story, click here.

New programs aim to decrease knee injuries in youth sports

The Wall Street Journal, September 20, 2011

Researchers are developing new exercise programs to reduce the risk of knee injuries to youth athletes, reported The Wall Street Journal. An estimated 90,000 varsity high school and college athletes injure their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) each year, with female athletes four to six times more likely to sustain an injury, according to the Journal.

Researchers at Ohio State University’s Sports Health and Performance Institute have developed an exercise program that helps strengthen muscles and prevent tears to the ACL, reported The Wall Street Journal. The program, designed to last for six to eight weeks during the preseason, focuses on agility training, landing correctly and building up underdeveloped muscles.

Another program called the Prevent Injury and Enhance Performance (PEP) Program was developed by the Santa Monica Sports Medicine Foundation in California. The fifteen minute program, designed as a warm-up, focuses on drills that increase flexibility and strength.

For the complete story, click here.

Concussion researcher wins MacArthur award

CNN, September 20, 2011

Kevin Guskiewicz, a highly regarded concussions expert at the University of North Carolina and a member of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee, is the recipient of a $500,000 grant from John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, commonly referred to as the ‘genius grant’, reported CNN.

Guskiewicz’s recent research includes the development of a concussion diagnostic tool that analyzes an athlete’s balance to gauge for concussions, and utilizing accelerometers in football helmets to see where and how hard players are hit.

Guskiewicz credits major sports organizations, including the NFL, with increasing concussion awareness and instituting rule changes to make play safer. He noted that while research into the prevention of concussions is ongoing, the focus should be on modifying behavior to reduce concussions.  Guskiewicz noted he is confident that the NFL’s decision to move the kick-off from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line to increase touchbacks will lead to fewer concussions.

“I think we’re certainly in a better position today to educate athletes and prevent these catastrophic outcomes because of some of the initiatives they put in place,” said Guskiewicz.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL imposes fine for hit on defenseless receiver

Los Angeles Times, September 19, 2011

The NFL has fined Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson $40,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Jeremy Maclin of the Philadelphia Eagles, reported the Los Angeles Times.

Maclin completed a catch a moment before the hit and was considered to be in a “defenseless posture.” The Falcons were also given a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness for the hit.

During the off season, the NFL reserved the right to suspend flagrant hitters with repeated offenses, in an effort to increase player safety.

For the complete story, click here.

Michael Vick benched to recover from concussion

ESPN.com, September 19, 2011

Eagles head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder declined to provide a timeframe for Michael Vick’s return to play following a concussion during Sunday’s game, reported ESPN.com. Burkholder noted that the Eagle’s player will return when he is cleared by an independent neurologist.

“There’s a whole protocol to go through, and that’s why we have it laid out so we’re not guessing,” Burkholder said. “That’s why we have tests that we run, and all the protocol that we go through that we, the NFL and all the medical experts have put together, so there’s a lot to do yet.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL to host anti-doping conference

Associated Press, September 15, 2011

The NFL is collaborating with the Partnership for Clean Competition to host an anti-doping conference on December 1, reported the Associated Press. The medical conference will feature David Howman, director general of the World Anti-Doping Agency, as its keynote speaker. The conference will bring together leaders and influencers who advocate for clean competition throughout all levels of football.

“It is vital, in our opinion, to convene experts in the anti-doping movement to help move toward a world of clean competition. By understanding the athlete’s decision-making process and different approaches to deterrence, we hope to educate those who may influence athletes and generate new research opportunities in the field,” said Adolpho Birch, NFL senior vice president for labor policy, in a press release.

For the complete story, click here.

HGH testing needed in professional sports

USA Today, September 15, 2011

The NFL Players Association has delayed human growth hormone (HGH) testing for athletes even though players had agreed to the testing in their most recent labor contract, reported USA Today.

The test that the NFL plans to implement was designed by the World Anti-Doping Agency and is used in the Olympics and minor league baseball. When the NFL begins implementing mandatory testing, it will be the first major U.S. sports league to test for HGH.

According to USA Today, HGH abuse can lead to detrimental side effects including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, arthritis and distortions of the hands and face.

For the complete story, click here.

Researchers developing blood test to diagnose concussions

Cleveland Clinic, September 15, 2011

Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic received a $250,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health to continue studying the effectiveness of blood test for identifying and diagnosing concussions in college football players.

Currently, diagnosing concussions is an expensive process which relies heavily on subjective cognitive and behavioral tests, as wells as CT scans and MRIs. Blood test could cost as little as $20 and provide a definitive diagnosis for athletes, according to a release issued by the Cleveland Clinic.

Additionally, through a grant from NFL Charities, researchers at the Cleveland Clinic are researching how to increase the protection from concussions helmets offer to youth athletes.

For the complete story, click here.

Players hesitant to wear more padding

Fox Sports, September 14, 2011

The NFL Players Association pushed back on mandatory game-day use of protective equipment during labor negotiations, leaving the decision to wear padding and concussion-preventing mouth pieces to the discretion of players, reported Fox Sports.

While some players have concerns that extra padding would decrease comfort and speed, the NFL has worked with a manufacturer to create equipment that makes thigh and hip padding tighter and less intrusive for players. Fox Sports also noted that if all players were forced to wear padding, any change in speed would be mitigated.

“I think it’s just an obvious fact that if players have more padding they’ll be safer,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told writer Alex Marvez. “We do hope the players association will embrace that position. We’ll continue to work with them and push that.”

For the complete story, click here.

Concussion baseline testing faces challenges in youth hockey

The Globe and Mail, September 13, 2011

Some parents of youth hockey players remain apprehensive about the accuracy and usefulness of baseline testing for concussions, reported The Globe and Mail.

According to the story, some worry that baseline tests will be relied on too heavily and that some players will return to play even though they have suffered a concussion. Another concern is the possibility that youth athletes will become distracted or intentionally fail their baseline test, increasing the odds that they will falsely pass another test if they are suspected of suffering a concussion.

“If there’s anything that can give us an even better sense of what we need to do and how quickly we need to act, I would be all for it, recognizing that at the end of the day, these are complicated medical issues that we would need to get proper medical advice,” said Blair Dimock, a volunteer hockey coach and father of 13-year-old twin boys. “Anything we can do to make our understanding and our decisions about head injuries more evidence-based, with good reliable kinds of tests and data, would be a huge step forward.”

For the complete story, click here.

New kicking rule increases player safety

Sports Illustrated, September 11, 2011

The NFL implemented a new rule this season, moving kickoffs up 5 yards to the 35-yard line, with the goal of improving player safety and increasing touchbacks, reported Sports Illustrated.

During the season’s opening weekend, touchbacks nearly tripled compared to last year. While some expressed concern that the new rule would detract from the excitement of the game, a record-matching three kicks were returned for touchdowns during the weekend. The original record was set in 1970, and previously matched in 1998.

For the complete story, click here.

Star hockey player sidelined with concussion

New York Times, September 7, 2011

Sydney Crosby, a star player for the Pittsburgh Penguins, plans to sit out until he completely recovers from a concussion that sidelined him last season, reported the New York Times.

“It’s important to get back to where I need to be and if not, we’ve seen it many times, you can get recurring issues,” Crosby said. “You’ve got to listen to your body. You’ve got to listen to your doctors.”

“He will not return until he is 100 percent,” said Ray Shero, Penguins general manager. “There is no 90 percent returning from a concussion.”

For the complete story, click here.

Human growth hormone testing a top priority for NFL

ESPN Mike & Mike Show, September 6, 2011

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell spoke about the importance of human growth hormone (HGH) testing in the NFL during the Mike and Mike Show on ESPN Radio.

“When you talk about player health and safety, clearly, removing HGH and all performance-enhancing drugs from our game or performance enhancing drugs has to be high on the list,” Commissioner Goodell said. “It sends the wrong message to other players not only in the NFL but down throughout the game of football and beyond football into other sports. They are shooting themselves up with things that they don’t know where it came from; they don’t know what it is and we don’t know the health consequences of it long term. We have to do everything we can to remove that from the game for player health and safety and second of all for the integrity of the game.”

Commissioner Goodell also spoke about the test for HGH, saying that there is no disputing its validity. The test is currently being implemented in the Olympics by the World Anti-Doping Agency, and is being used in minor league baseball.

For the complete story, click here.

Safety an important issue in youth sports

The Houston Chronicle, September 6, 2011

Youth football is safer than many have thought, provided that parents and coaches are diligent and attend to the health and safety of their children through proper equipment and training, reported the Houston Chronicle.

“We put a big emphasis on sound tackling. We try to make sure the kids know how to tackle before they start having contact,” said Kevin Walker, a Houston-area youth football coach.

“What we’re doing at this level is teaching kids to respect the game and play it the right way,” Walker said. “We’re teaching kids discipline, how to prioritize their lives, to get in a healthy routine where there’s time for studying and time for football, in that order. We’re trying to lay a foundation for their life.”

For the complete story, click here.

Rule changes expected to improve overall player health

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, September 6, 2011

Veteran NFL players have spoken out in favor of new rules that eliminated two-a-day practices, reported the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The new rules also limit padded practice to three hours, with a maximum of four hours on the field during training camp with the additional time spent on walk-throughs. During the regular season, teams may only hold 14 padded practices, 11 of which must be held during the first 11 weeks of the season.

“It’s a good system,” said Fred Robbins, defensive tackle for the St. Louis Rams. “It definitely can prolong a career. Instead of going through the day-to-day, two-a-day pounding for two or three weeks at a time, you’re able to cut back a little bit. And then with the regular season, the (limited) number of days you can be in pads, you might definitely see a lot of guys prolong their careers.”

For the complete story, click here.

Former surgeon general praised NFL’s focus on player health and safety

Green Bay Press-Gazette, September 2, 2011

Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher, director of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine, commended the NFL for its commitment to player health and safety in a guest column for the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

“In the middle of the 2010 season, the NFL adopted a controversial policy subjecting players to suspension for violent hits to the head. Proactive actions such as this policy and the new commitment of resources to care for former players speak clearly to the importance of the immediate and long-term mental health outcomes of head injury in sports at all levels and I applaud the NFL for recognizing and responding to the seriousness of these issues,” said Dr. Satcher.

For the complete story, click here.

The Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, in partnership with the National Football League and NFL Alumni Association, is hosting the NFL Community Huddle: Taking a Goal Line Stand for Your Mind & Body at the Lambeau Field Atrium, Wednesday, September 7 at 7pm. This important initiative is part of a national effort to address the growing epidemic of dementia in America, specifically mental health challenges encountered by athletes and their families. The event is free and open to the public. To learn more, visit http://www.msm.edu/shlinfl.aspx.

Human growth hormone testing delayed

Associated Press, September 2, 2011

Testing for human growth hormone (HGH) in the NFL will not begin at the start of the season as planned, reported the Associated Press.

Blood testing for HGH was a part of the new labor agreement with the NFL and the NFL Players Association. However, the players’ union has stated concerns regarding the safety and reliability of the HGH blood test developed by the World Anti-Doping Agency and used in Olympic Sports as well as minor league baseball.

With union approval, the NFL would become the first major American sports league to test for HGH.

For the complete story, click here.

Rule change improves player safety

Sports Illustrated, September 2, 2011

An NFL rule change taking effect this season moved the restraining line for the kicking team from the 30 to the 35-yardline in an effort to increase touchbacks and prevent head and neck injuries. Cardinals receiver and five-time Pro Bowler Larry Fitzgerald gave his opinion on the impact of the rule change in an interview with Sports Illustrated

“I know it’s going to affect a lot of teams. Think of the Browns and the Bears—teams that have such great special teams. But when 30 percent of injuries happen on special teams, we can take those serious injuries out of the game. It’s better for the longevity of the players. The more guys we can keep healthy, the better for the game,” said Fitzgerald.

When he was asked if the NFL should abolish kickoffs altogether and let teams start from the 20-yard line instead, Fitzgerald said, “No, I don’t think we should get rid of it. It takes away some plays, but it still gives a team the opportunity to return the ball if the kicker doesn’t kick it out of the back of the end zone.”

For the complete story, click here.

Safety a top priority for parents and athletes this fall

The Today Show, September 1, 2011

Sports safety is critical as more than 20 million children are expected to participate in athletic events this fall, reported the Today Show.

Children’s still-developing bodies are more susceptible to injury. That fact, coupled with a greater number of youth athletes, increased female participation in sports, and a focus on specialization has lead to an increase in the number of injuries in young athletes. Children also need additional time to heal from concussions, according to Dr. Jordan Metzl of New York City’s Hospital for Special Surgery.

“Unlike any sports injury, concussions heal slower in kids than they do in adults. It’s important that they’re very clear and having no symptoms before they go back into activity,” said Dr. Metzl.

In addition to recommending pre-participation exams for children, Dr. Metzl emphasized the need for frequent breaks and adequate hydration during the hotter months, and proper safety equipment to protect against potential risks in each sport.

To view the segment, click here.

Researchers develop a new sideline tool to detect concussions

Penn Medicine News, August 31, 2011

Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania announced the development of a visual test that effectively detected concussions in collegiate athletes.

For the test, athletes read a series of numbers on cards and are scored based on time and accuracy. At the beginning of a season, players are given a baseline test that can then be compared to test results after a player is suspected of sustaining a concussion. On average, concussed students scored about 5.9 seconds slower on the test.

According to Penn Medical News, the visual test is easily administered on the sidelines and serves to compliment other tools for diagnosing sports-related concussions.

“This test has demonstrated its ability to provide objective evidence to aid medical professionals and trainers in determining which athletes need to come out of games after a blow to the head,” said Dr. Laura Balcer, professor of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. “We’ll continue to measure the test’s effectiveness in different groups — players who play the same position who have and have not suffered concussions, for instance. It is our hope that the new test, once validated, can be folded into the current sideline battery of tests for concussion, as no single test at this time can be used to diagnose or manage concussion[s].”

For the complete story, click here.

Delaware governor signs legislation to protect youth athletes

NewsWorks, August 30, 2011

Governor Jack Markell of Delaware signed youth concussion legislation designed to protect junior high and high school athletes from the dangerous effects of concussions, reported NewsWorks.

“This is about keeping our young people healthy, so in the long term they can enjoy the great futures they have ahead of them,” Markell said.

The law mandates concussion training for coaches, as well as education for athletes and their parents. The legislation also requires immediate removal of youth athletes suspected of suffering a concussion, and athletes must be cleared by a certified medical professional before returning to play.

The legislation was supported by the NFL and legendary Philadelphia Eagles player Vince Papale.

“Laws like this one are a major step in concussion treatment and prevention, and we applaud the Delaware state government for their proactive stance,” said NFL Vice President Jeff Miller.

To hear a portion of former Eagles player Vince Papale’s remarks at the event, click here.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL negotiates details of HGH testing

The Washington Post, August 23, 2011

The NFL met with the NFL Players Association and the World Anti-Doping Agency to continue to negotiate the details blood testing players for human growth hormone (HGH). It is expected that the HGH blood testing will begin during the first week of the regular season, reported The Washington Post.

The NFL will become the first major American sports league to implement blood testing for HGH with the approval of its union. While HGH is among the NFL’s list of banned substances, currently players are not tested for it.

According to the Post, under the proposed rules, randomized player drug tests are unlimited during the season, with up to six randomized tests per player during the offseason.

For the complete story, click here.

USA Football creates safe tackling training course

Associated Press, August 23, 2011

USA Football has developed a video course to help youth football coaches teach players how to tackle properly, reported the Associated Press.

The 12 instructional videos are meant to increase player safety and decrease injuries such as concussions by limiting helmet-to-helmet contact. The course provides drills to teach each step, gradually increasing the level of player contact.

“Directing youth football teams to incrementally incorporate contact into their practices lessens the amount of incidental contact that players receive through their helmets,” said Dr. Stanley Herring of the NFL’s Head, Neck and Spine Committee and USA Football’s Football and Wellness Committee. “This is a strong step forward for player safety in youth football that any youth sport should consider emulating.”

The videos are available at usafootball.com.

For the complete story, click here.

Packers QB Rodgers attributes enhanced focus to time spent off the field recovering from a concussion

Yahoo Sports, August 15, 2011

After sustaining his second concussion last season, Aaron Rodgers sat out of a week of practices and a game, not returning to play until he was fully recovered from the concussion.  Rodgers now credits that time dedicated to healing off the field to developing the focus and drive that helped him lead his team to win the Super Bowl, reported Yahoo Sports.

“True, 100 percent true. I had the two worst days of my career, Wednesday and Thursday of the New England week,” Rodgers said, referring to the week he was recovering. “I really wanted to play badly. I knew I had to feel good by Friday for [coach] Mike [McCarthy] to play me. … [But] they sent me home both days, and I knew I wasn’t going to play.I came in each morning, did my preliminary test. They asked me if I was symptomatic and I said, ‘Yes,’ and then went home.”

“This was the second one [concussion] he had. We had to do what was right by him for his long-term health. At a certain point, you have to think, ‘What would you do if this was your own son?’ ” said Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy.

For the complete story, click here.

Arizona to mandate new concussion education

Fox Sports Arizona, August 16, 2011

Arizona has become the first state to create a mandatory online course, called Brainbook, to educate high school athletes on concussion awareness, reported Fox Sports Arizona. Students will be required to pass an educational module available online, allowing them to complete the course at school or at home. The module is expected to be available for the start of the fall sports season, and athletes are mandated to complete the course before participating in school sports.

The program will also include a concussion registry, tracking athletes sustaining concussions throughout the year.

The NFL has raised awareness around concussions and implemented rule changes to reduce the frequency and severity of head injuries.  Additionally, the NFL has many youth-focused programs such as NFL Play 60, which focus on education.

“We are pleased to have worked with [NFL] Commissioner Goodell’s office to help protect young student athletes in all sports,” said Michael Bidwill, President of the Arizona Cardinals, in a press release.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL institutes new training camp rules to reduce concussions

The Washington Post, August 13, 2011

The NFL hopes to reduce concussions by limiting the number of full contact practices during training camp and the regular season, reported The Washington Post. 

A prime goal of the new rule set is to reduce practice-field blows to the head by 20 to 25 percent, reducing the likelihood and severity of concussions. More broadly, players, coaches and trainers expect the new rules to improve overall player health by reducing wear and tear.

“It has been absolutely eye-opening to me to see what’s happened in a year, to see the culture change, and the players deserve the credit,” said Dr. Richard Ellenbogen, co-chairman of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee. “They want to know what the risks are. It’s enlightening to everyone out there who said this was a warrior culture and the players will never change. They have.”

For the complete story, click here.

Number of youth concussion laws increases across the U.S.

Education Week, August 11, 2011

Laws addressing youth concussions are being passed around the country as states aim to protect youth athletes from the damaging effects of head injuries, reported Education Week.

The NFL has encouraged youth concussion legislation in all 50 states using the Lystedt Law, passed in Washington state, as model legislation. The NFL has advocated for the inclusion of three core components in concussion laws including educating parents and players about concussions and requiring that parents sign a concussion information form, removing youth athletes suspected of suffering a concussion from play, and not allowing athletes to return to play following a suspected concussion until cleared by a certified medical professional.

“It is only a matter of time until there are data showing how these state concussion laws are preventing catastrophic injuries, saving lives, and preventing chronic outcomes from repeated concussion,” said Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz, a member of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee, and the director of the Matthew Gfeller Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Research Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

For the complete story, click here.

Alabama governor signs youth concussion legislation

The Troy Messenger, August 10, 2011

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley signed concussion legislation to protect students participating in sports from the dangerous effects of head injuries, reported The Troy Messenger.

Student athletes suspected of sustaining a concussion will be removed from play and cannot return until they have received clearance from a doctor. Additionally, the legislation mandates that athletic organizations provide educational information to students and parents, as well as training coaches in concussion recognition.   

Note: This legislation was signed into law by Governor Robert Bentley on 6/9/11. A ceremonial signing was held on 8/9/11. For more information visit Concussion Legislation by State.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL game-day drug testing will not disrupt teams

New York Times, August 9, 2011

Adolpho Birch, NFL senior vice president for labor policy, said in a conference call that he was confident that league’s new game-day drug testing would not be disruptive to teams, reported the New York Times. The league will begin testing players for human growth hormone, which is detectable via blood test for a mere one to two days, making game-day testing important.

“We believe, like every other test we have ever used, we will be able to improve that time,” Birch said. “All tests evolve as the science and the technology evolves. We expect this one to be the same way. It is a far different thing than unreliability, which would be something that would promote a false positive, something you absolutely cannot have in the context of drug testing. There has been zero indication from anyone since sort of the dawn of this test that false positives are an issue.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL to test for human growth hormone on game days

Associated Press, August 9, 2011

This season the NFL plans to expand its drug testing policy to include randomized game-day blood tests to detect human growth hormone, reported the Associated Press. Under the new rule, players may be tested six times in the off-season, while regular season testing is unlimited.

“I would certainly expect players will be tested in an amount that will be meaningful. But more important, the idea is not so much the number of tests performed, but it is the constant threat of testing that provides the key to deterrence under this particular program,” said Adolpho Birch, NFL senior vice president for labor policy.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL to strengthen enforcement of facemask rule

USA Today, August 8, 2011

The NFL will expand the enforcement of the facemask rule, citing an increase in violations over recent years, reported USA Today. NFL officials showed players and coaches a video about new rules taking effect at the start of this season at the Oakland Raiders training camp.

Officials reminded players that both defensive players and offensive ball carriers can be penalized 15 yards for facemask infractions. While it is still legal for an offensive runner to straight-arm a defender, he cannot strike the defender with a forceful blow to the head or twist, turn or pull the facemask.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL to implement new drug testing policy

New York Times, August 6, 2011

The NFL will soon be the first major American sports league to implement blood testing for human growth hormone (HGH), reported the New York Times.

The new policy will require all players to be tested at least once a year, and will allow for unlimited, random testing of players. Half of the 14,000 tests performed on 2,500 players each year will be blood tests. Additionally, this will be the first season with game day drug testing, according to the Times.  

“We know that we have a good test and what we set up will be a good test,” said Adolpho Birch, the NFL’s senior vice president for labor policy. “It is one that it will preserve the integrity of our game and the health of our athletes.”

For the complete story, click here.

Cleveland Clinic receives grant to study youth football

FOX 8 (Cleveland), August 5, 2011

NFL Charities has given the Cleveland Clinic a $100,000 grant to research concussions in youth football, reported FOX 8 in Cleveland. The study will follow players, ages 7 through 12, playing for the Mayfield Wildcat Youth Football Club.

One of the main issues being studied is how well youth protective equipment works. Youth athletes currently use the same helmets used by professional athletes, however the equipment is often too heavy for these smaller players. Researchers aim to collect data that will lead to improved equipment for youth athletes.

“That’s the ultimate goal, to work with manufacturers of helmets and shoulder pads to develop the best equipment,” said Bob Gray, Cleveland Clinic coordinator of athletic training and sports health.

For the complete story, click here.

Examining two-a-day football practices

USA Today, August 4, 2011

The tradition of two-a-day practices in football was examined in two editorials from USA Today. The USA Today editorial board noted that while the NFL and NCAA have both severely limited two-a-day practices, most high schools teams still implement them. One of the chief concerns is over-exertion in the intense heat, but risk of concussions is also an issue.

John McKissick, head football coach and athletic director at Summerville High School in South Carolina, counters that the risks of practicing in the heat can be mitigated provided that coaches pay close attention to players and make sure they are not overexerted. 

The National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) adopted guidelines in 2009 that call for acclimating players in steps over a five-day period. However, the guidelines do not prohibit two-a-day practices. While NATA recommends policies, the sole power to implement recommendations and policies falls to the states.

McKissick argues that many coaches are reluctant to reduce the number of team practices on their own, fearing that it will cause their teams to be less competitive. McKissick says that he would be ok if the state required only one practice a day, however he wouldn’t want to be the first, citing a lack of competition. “Practicing hard and smart is no threat to safety,” he said.

The USA Today editorial board points to Virginia Tech’s football team as an example of how less frequent, lower-impact practices can produce top tier teams. The Hokies have dropped two-a-days and have still played in three of the last four Orange Bowls.

For “Two-a-day football practices still exist. Why?”  by the USA Today editorial board, click here.For the opposing viewpoint, “Football in the heat? Practice smart,” by John McKissick, click here.

New youth concussion program hopes to test 1 million youth athletes

Associated Press, August 3, 2011

A new program sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods called Protecting Athletes Through Concussion Education (PACE) aims to help protect up to 1 million youth athletes through education and baseline testing, reported the Associated Press.

“This program parallels the emphasis that USA Football, in partnership with the CDC, has placed on concussion awareness and education since 2007,” said USA Football executive director Scott Hallenbeck. “USA Football supports the proper medical management of concussion.”

USA Football partners with the NFL to promote “Put Pride Aside for Player Safety,” a nation-wide campaign designed to foster concussion awareness in youth sports.

The program will use the computerized ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) test program. An initial test serves as a baseline. After a player is suspected of suffering a concussion, the test is re-administered and compared against the baseline to determine the severity of any damage. Through the PACE program, Dick’s Sporting Goods will pay for the testing of up to 300 youth athletes per school across the country.

“Concussion isn’t a ‘boy’ issue or a ‘girl’ issue. It’s a youth sports issue,” said Dr. Stanley Herring, a member of the NFL’s Head, Neck and Spine Committee, and a member of USA Football’s Football and Wellness Committee. “Baseline testing can be a helpful tool to assist a health care provider diagnose concussion and determine a safe return to play. It is best used as part of a comprehensive concussion management program.”

For the complete story, click here.

Chicago Bears offer players new shoulder pad technology

Chicago Sun-Times, August 1, 2011

The Chicago Bears will be the first NFL team to include Riddell’s new RipKord shoulder pad technology as part of their standard equipment package, reported the Chicago Sun-Times. The prime benefit of the new equipment is its ability to provide trainers with faster access to a player’s chest and airway in the event of a head, spine or chest injury.

“The removal of the shoulder pads and helmet continues to be a critical aspect of treating severe head, neck and chest injuries,” Bears trainer Tim Bream said. “Riddell’s RipKord Shoulder pads will not only serve our players better, but also are a key development which will be used by youth athletes across the country giving medical personnel the ability for improved care.”

For the complete story, click here.

Dick’s Sporting Goods announces youth concussion education program

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 2, 2011

Dick’s Sporting Goods has launched a new youth concussion education initiative named Protecting Athletes through Concussion Education, or PACE, reported the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  The new program will provide both concussion education and free baseline testing for up to 1 million youth athletes.

The PACE program will use the computerized ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) test program, a 20-minute test originally developed by scientists at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for the Pittsburg Steelers.  

PACE “brings together concussion education with state-of-the-art testing,” said Dick’s Sporting Goods CEO Edward Stack.

For the complete story, click here.

Illinois governor to sign youth concussion legislation

The Chicago Tribune, July 28, 2011

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is scheduled to sign new youth concussion legislation during a ceremony at Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears, reported The Chicago Tribune. The bill is modeled after the Zackery Lystedt Law, which was passed in Washington state, and aims to protect youth athletes from the dangers of concussions and head injuries. The Illinois legislation utilizes education as the primary means of prevention.

Governor Quinn expressed a desire to impact concussion awareness and reporting in youth sports similar to the response seen in the NFL. According to Dr. Hunt Batjer, co-chairman of the NFL’s Head, Neck and Spine Committee and chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, there was a 25 percent increase in reported concussions from NFL teams last season.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL emphasizes preseason player safety

FOXSports.com, July 28, 2011

The NFL is taking increased precautions regarding players’ safety as athletes return to training camp, reports FOXSports.com. The NFL held calls with coaches, general managers, trainers and team doctors to discuss health and safety matters, including heat-related illnesses and head injury treatment and prevention.

Dr. Hunt Batjer and Dr. Richard Ellenbogen, co-chairs of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee, discussed the NFL’s concussion policy.  “From a concussion standpoint, it was stressed, ‘When in doubt, keep them out’,” said Jaguars general manager Gene Smith.

Additionally, the calls discussed new health and safety initiatives including restrictions on contact practices, two-a-day practices, and one mandatory day off during each seven-day period.

For the complete story, click here

NFL provides heat safety education

Associated Press, July 28, 2011

The NFL held mandatory conference calls for all 32 teams on the importance of exercising caution while participating in strenuous activities in the heat. Doctors including Dr. Margaret Kolka, former head of the Army’s environmental medicine division, and heat-related illness experts spoke about heat-related injuries.

Co-chairs of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee, Drs. Hunt Batjer and Richard Ellenbogen, also participated in the call, addressing head injuries. Dr. Douglas J. Casa, kinesiology professor at the University of Connecticut and chief scientist at the Korey Stringer Institute, emphasized the seriousness of taking preventative measures to stay safe when exercising in the heat.

“We were trying to reiterate the most basic and important concerns when someone is exercising in heat. The real primal things: exercise in the heat, getting ready to handle it, the basic precautions, what are you looking for if there is a problem,” said Casa.

For the complete story, click here.

Doctors educate coaches and trainers on concussions in advance of Illinois legislation

Associated Press, July 27, 2011

Doctors emphasized the need for educating coaches, students and parents about the dangers of concussions during a symposium at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, reported the Associated Press.

The symposium was held in advance of youth concussion legislation scheduled to be signed by Governor Pat Quinn. The bill protects elementary through high school athletes, requiring any student suspected of suffering a concussion to be removed from play immediately and cleared by a certified medical professional before returning to play. The legislation also mandates education for referees, coaches, parents and athletes on the dangers and symptoms of concussions.

“Ding” is a misnomer; “it’s a traumatic brain injury,” said Dr. Hunt Batjer, chair of neurosurgery at Northwestern and co-chair of the NFL’s Head, Neck and Spine Committee.

For the complete story, click here.

Deceased Canadian Football League players diagnosed with brain disease

Associated Press, July 26, 2011

The brains of four deceased Canadian Football League (CFL) players were tested for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, reports the Associated Press.  Two of the former players, Toronto Argonaut and Hamilton Tiger-Cat Bobby Kuntz, and former Ottawa Rough Rider Jay Roberts, showed signs of CTE.

While both players sustained concussions during their careers, doctors caution a relationship between CTE and concussions is still unknown.

“While both of these men appeared to have pathological signs of CTE, they also suffered from other serious neurological and vascular related diseases,” said neuropathologist Dr. Lili-Naz Hazrati. “Right now we have more questions than answers about the relationship between repeated concussions and late brain degeneration. For example, we are still trying to understand why these two players acquired CTE and the other two did not.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee member addresses high school coaches at annual NFL-USA Football Youth Football Summit

The Repository, July 20, 2011

At the NFL and USA Football’s annual Youth Football Summit, 126 coaches and commissioners learned about the dangers of concussions and ways coaches can play a pivotal role in protecting youth athletes from the long-term, damaging effects of head injuries, reported The Repository.

“It’s difficult to get a diagnosis sometimes; it’s not something you can always see. … Concussions can be quite subtle. There’s no clear marker, no definitive test. So that makes it challenging,” said Dr. Margot Putukian, the director of athletic medicine at Princeton University and a member of the NFL’s Head, Neck and Spine Committee.

Dr. Putukian’s session with the youth coaches focused on the need to communicate a change in football culture, emphasizing the seriousness of concussions. Treating potential head injuries appropriately continues to be an issue that the NFL and USA Football are addressing through education.

For the complete story, click here.

Zackery Lystedt’s experience serves to inspire and protect others

The Repository, July 20, 2011

The Lystedt law, passed in Washington state in 2009, is named for former high school athlete Zackery Lystedt who almost died after returning to play with a concussion. The law, which aims to protect youth athletes from the dangers and damaging effects of head injuries, has become an inspiration for similar laws across the country.

The legislation mandates education for youth coaches, youth athletes and parents about concussions. It also requires the removal of a player suspected of suffering a concussion, and players must be cleared by a certified medical professional before returning to play. The NFL adopted a similar return-to-play policy in 2009.

Intent on changing the culture around concussions, “Zack has become a symbol of the NFL,” said NFL Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Policy, Jeff Miller.

“It’s common sense,” said Zack’s father, Victor, in a video presentation. “I don’t know why you wouldn’t try to save your child’s life.”

For the complete story, click here.

Ivy League to cut back on full-contact football practices

New York Times, July 19, 2011

The Ivy League has substantially reduced the number of full-contact practices permitted for its football teams in an effort to reduce head injuries, reports the New York Times. The policy is more restrictive than limits established by the NCAA, reducing the total number of full-contact practices by 42 percent.

The new rules came after a study of three Division I teams in the Journal of Athletic Training found that players endure more hits to the head during practice than during games. 

The Ivy League is looking at ways to decrease hits to the head and concussions through rule changes in other sports including men’s and women’s hockey, lacrosse and soccer.

For the complete story, click here.

Missouri governor signs youth concussion legislation

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, July 13, 2011

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon signed the “Interscholastic Youth Sports Brain Injury Prevention Act” into law, aimed at protecting youth athletes from the dangers of head injuries, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Kenneth Edmonds, NFL director of government relations and public policy, testified in support of the bill, noting that “the league’s strict guidelines regarding returning from a head injury” should be adopted in youth sports as well.

The law requires that any youth athlete suspected of sustaining a concussion be immediately removed from play and mandates that they sit out for at least 24 hours.  Athletes must be cleared by a certified medical professional before returning to play. 

Furthermore, the law requires that school officials educate coaches, athletes and parents about the immediate dangers and long term effects of concussions, as well as warning signs of a concussion.

For the complete story, click here.

Louisiana governor signs youth concussion legislation

NewOrleansSaints.com, July 7, 2011

Governor Bobby Jindal signed the Louisiana Youth Concussion Act, aimed at protecting youth athletes from the dangers of head injuries, reports NewOrleansSaints.com. The bill was supported by the NFL, New Orleans Saints and the Louisiana High School Athletic Association as well as other leaders in the medical community.

The legislation requires coaches to remove players from play if they are suspected of suffering a concussion. After they are removed from play, athletes must be cleared by a certified medical professional before returning to play. The bill also mandates education for players, coaches and parents on the signs and seriousness of concussions.

For the complete story, click here.

NHL toughens rule for hits to head

New York Times, June 21, 2011

The NHL board of governors expanded existing rules regarding hits to the head in an effort to prevent head injuries and concussions, reports the New York Times.  The rule was altered to penalize all hits to the head, not just lateral or blindside hits as the previous version did.

All hits where the head is targeted or is the initial point of contact will now be considered illegal and carry a penalty.

“We felt that players were responding well to it [the previous rule], and that the game could handle going another step further,” said Brendan Shanahan, NHL vice president for player safety.

For the complete story, click here.

Experts: helmets don’t eliminate concussions

CBSSports.com, June 20, 2011

A panel of experts at the National Athletic Trainers’ Association convention concluded that, while helmet designs have improved and made sports safer, helmets are not 100 percent effective in eliminating concussions, reports CBSSports.com.  Helmets cushion the head and help absorb the force sustained; however they do little protect to athletes against damage that occurs when the head rotates after a hit or the brain moves around within the skull.

“I think that behavior modification is perhaps more important in addressing the problem,” said Kevin Guskiewicz, a professor of sport science at the University of North Carolina. Guskiewicz is also a member of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee.

Guskiewicz and many of the experts agree that “behavior modifications,” including the NFL’s stance against athletes leading with their heads when going for a tackle, and a shift in football culture are just as important as improvements in helmet technology when it comes to preventing concussions and promoting safety.

Guskiewicz acknowledged the NFL’s anti spearing rules and noted that they were equally as important as helmets in preventing football fatalities.

Trainers at the convention urged parents and coaches to wait the necessary time for a concussion to heal, often weeks, before allowing an athlete to return to play.

For the complete story, click here.

North Carolina governor signs concussion legislation

Winston-Salem Journal, June 19, 2011

The governor of North Carolina recently signed the Gfeller-Waller Concussion Awareness Act into law, designed to increase concussion education and prevent the dangerous effects of head injuries, reported the Winston-Salem Journal.

The new regulations require coaches and athletic trainers of public school sports to undergo training on concussion awareness. The bill also educates youth athletes and their parents on the hazards of concussions.

Additionally, the law mandates that athletes suspected of suffering a concussion be cleared by a certified health-care professional before returning to play.  Public middle schools and high schools are required to have an emergency plan in place.

The bill passed with support from the NFL, which has pushed for similar state laws nationwide.

“The law underscores the importance of having an emergency action plan in place.  The emphasis is on the need for education about these injuries and I think that policy will help keep kids safe,” said Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz, director of the Matthew A. Gfeller Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Research Center at UNC Chapel Hill.  Dr. Guskiewicz is also a member of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL tests sensors to measure impact of hits

USA Today, June 17, 2011

The NFL is supporting research of accelerometers, or sensors, to be used in helmets and mouth guards to measure hits. The league plans to validate testing tools and data independently, and may begin to start using the sensors on a sampling of players as soon as next season, reports USA Today.

“The purpose is to find out in real time out on the field, as opposed to in a laboratory like we’re doing here, what types of impacts players take,” said Kevin Guskiewicz, director of sports-related brain injury research at the University of North Carolina and a member of the NFL’s Head, Neck and Spine Committee.

According to Atlanta Falcons President Rich McKay, chairman of the NFL Competition Committee, the data could be used to identify hits that place players at high-risk for concussions, and in discussions around rules for practice, offseason, training camps and games.   “The one thing we’re in search for is as much data as we can get with respect to brain trauma,” said McKay.

”I don’t think there’s anything that will ever eliminate concussions,” said Dr. Richard Ellenbogen, co-chair of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee. “I’d like to see them go as low to zero as we possibly can.”

For the complete story, and to view a video of the research, click here.

Rhode Island adopts new bill to protect youth athletes from concussions

Associated Press, June 13, 2011

Rhode Island legislators recently introduced a bill meant to protect youth athletes from brain injuries and concussions, reported the Associated Press.  The legislation requires coaches of youth sports to undergo annual training on concussions.  The bill would also mandate that students take a baseline cognitive test at the beginning of each sports season.  In the event that a student is suspected of sustaining a concussion, the student would retake the test and a professional health care provider would evaluate whether the athlete was clear to return to play.

State Senator Walter Felag explained to the Associated Press that the bill is important in making sure coaches recognize concussions to prevent needless serious injury to student athletes. For the complete story, click here.

Zackery Lystedt walks across stage to receive high school diploma

CBS News, June 11, 2011

On Friday, June 10, Zack Lystedt, who was told he might not walk again following a brain injury, walked across the stage at his high school graduation to collect his diploma, reports CBS News.

Zack suffered a head injury playing football when he was thirteen years old. Zack was hit in the head while making a tackle, continued to play, then collapsed.

Zack and his parents have become strong advocates for legislation that protects youth athletes from returning to play to soon following a concussion.  Washington became the first state to pass a youth concussion prevention law, known as the Lystedt Law, following Zack’s injury.

Currently, twenty-two other states have adopted similar laws, many with support from the NFL. The legislation requires coaches to undergo training in recognizing concussions and educates athletes and their parents on the dangers of head injuries.   Additionally, any athlete suspected of sustaining a concussion must be cleared by a trained medical professional before returning to play.

“[It’s]…a great day for the county, because we’re going to save kids’ lives,” Victor Lystedt, Zack’s father, told CBS News about the passage of the law.

For the complete story, and to view a video of Zack’s graduation walk, click here.

New concussion regulations for Massachusetts

The Boston Globe, June 8, 2011

Massachusetts state health authorities recently approved regulations protecting youth athletes from the dangerous effects of sustaining a concussion, reported The Boston Globe.  The rules apply to all public high schools and middle schools as well as members of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association.

The law requires that athletes suspected of suffering from a head injury must be immediately removed from practice of competition.  The school must make the parents aware of the situation, and the athlete will be unable to resume play until he has been cleared by a trained medical professional.  The regulations also call for the development of a “graduated reentry plan” for students to return to class or the field.

Massachusetts joins a growing number of states with youth concussion legislation, a number that nearly doubled since January, in part because of support from the NFL, noted Dr. Robert Cantu of the Boston University School of Medicine.

“These regulations really ensure that everyone understands that, when in doubt, sit them out.  If there’s any doubt that there’s a head injury, the students must be removed form play and evaluated,” Dr. Lauren Smith, medical director at the state health agency told The Boston Globe.

For the complete story, click here.

Louisiana state legislators to vote on youth concussion bill

The Times-Picayune, June 8, 2011

The Louisiana House of Representatives will vote on the Louisiana Youth Concussion Act, a bill that aims to prevent young athletes from returning to play too soon following a head injury.  The bill has already been voted through the Senate, according to the Times-Picayune.

The law, supported by the NFL, would require coaches and other officials to complete annual training on head injuries, schools and other organizations that sponsor youth sports to educate athletes and their parents on the risks and potential negative effects of playing after sustaining a head injury, and athletes would not be able to return-to-play following a suspected head injury until they are cleared by a medical professional.

For the complete story, click here.

Zackery Lystedt to graduate high school

Associated Press, June 8, 2011

Zackery Lystedt, the namesake and inspiration of the Washington state youth concussion law that has been duplicated by legislatures across the country, is graduating high school five years after he nearly died after he returned to a middle school football game after suffering a concussion that went undetected. Zack spoke with the Associated Press this week about his progress.

On Friday, June 10, Zack plans to walk across the stage to accept his diploma from Tahoma High School. “I’m both excited and nervous,” Lystedt told the Associated Press. “I know it won’t happen, but I have this fear of falling. But I’m getting over that fear by doing it more.”

“Zack’s courage has inspired me on both a personal and professional level,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “His grace and dignity motivate us as a league to continue the push to protect youth athletes from head injuries.”

After meeting Zack in October 2009 at an event for the Brain Injury Association of Washington, Commissioner Goodell pledged to help get a law similar to the Lystedt Law passed in at least 10 states in the next year. Since then, 15 states have passed youth concussion legislation, with legislation from four additional states awaiting a governor’s signature.   In all, 23 states have passed youth concussion legislation, according to the article.

“Our challenge is to match Zack’s determination and persistence,” said Commissioner Goodell.

For the complete story, click here.

Minnesota governor signs sports concussion legislation

Star-Tribune, June 8, 2011

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton held a mock bill signing to celebrate the passage of youth concussion legislation. The legislation requires youth sports coaches to complete on-line training on the signs and symptoms of concussions, and requires youth athletes suspected of sustaining a concussion are removed from practice and competition until they are cleared by a qualified health care provider. The legislation extends existing guidelines from the Minnesota State High School League to private and non-profit sports organizations.

The mock signing featured Kayla Meyer, a teen who testified about the need for more concussion awareness after two hockey-related injuries left her with prolonged headaches, light sensitivity and other neurological problems, reports the Star-Tribune.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL support of youth concussion legislation joined by NCAA

ProFootballTalk.com, June 7, 2011

The NCAA has joined the NFL’s efforts to encourage the passage of youth concussion laws in every state reports ProFootballTalk.com. The NCAA and the NFL issued statements urging state legislatures to pass laws that require concussion education, the removal of youth athletes from play after they are suspected of sustaining a concussion. The groups are also pushing for laws ensuring that athletes are cleared by a medical professional before returning to play.

“We are pleased that President Emmert and the NCAA will support our campaign and add visibility to this issue not only with football but also with the other 22 NCAA sports for the benefit of young athletes and their families,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statment. “We have learned that while concussions certainly are a challenge in football that it is equally important that young athletes in many other sports be educated on this subject as well.”

For the complete story, click here.

Oregon legislature passes concussion rules

The Oregonian, June 3, 2009

The Oregon Legislature passed a measure to protect youth athletes from the dangerous effects of concussions and educate individuals on the seriousness of head injuries, reports The Oregonian. The bill is known as “Max’s Law” after Max Conradt, who sustained permanent brain damage playing high school football.

The law calls for coaches of school sports to undergo training and education to recognize the signs head injuries and how to get the athlete proper medical attention if they are suspected of suffering from a concussion.  It also requires coaches to stay up to date on the most timely concussion information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee co-chair discusses safety advances

Providence Journal, May 25, 2011

NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee co-chair Dr. Richard Ellenbogen explained his decision to work with the NFL on making the game safer in a Providence Journal story.

“The commissioner wanted to make it safer. He said help us with the rules, help us with the regulations. What is it we can do to make it safer for the athletes?” Dr. Ellenbogen told the paper.

In February, the committee recommended a new sideline concussion protocol that will be put in place as soon as next season, creating uniformity in the procedures to prevent concussions and head injuries from club to club.

Dr. Ellenbogen noted the impact the guidelines may have on youth sports saying, “What we do on the NFL side is going to trickle down to the NCAA, to youth sports and even across the military where they have adapted some of the same measures.”

“I think there’s a sea of culture change in all sports,” he told the Journal. “People are beginning to take this very seriously.”

For the complete story, click here.

Teams to be penalized for improper hits

New York Times, May 24, 2011

A new rule approved by NFL owners at their meeting in Indianapolis will fine teams if their players are repeatedly disciplined by the league for improper hits, reported the New York Times.  The rule will go into effect next season and is designed to ensure coaches educate their players in proper technique to avoid hits to the head and neck.

Adolpho Birch, NFL senior vice president for labor policy, said that three or four teams would have received fines if the rule was in place last season.  He told the Times that the fines would be “significant but reasonable.”  Teams whose players repeatedly violate the personal-conduct policy are subject to a similar system, according to the Times.

For the complete story, click here.

New rules increase club accountability for players

ESPN.com, May 24, 2011

The NFL will begin to fine teams if their players commit multiple flagrant hits in a season, according to ESPN.com. NFL senior vice president of labor policy Adolpho Birch noted Tuesday that he didn’t rule out NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell applying further sanctions, such as stripping clubs of draft choices, according to ESPN.com.

Birch cited the “notion of club accountability,” saying that the amount of the fines, or the number of fines players would have to accumulate to trigger a penalty has yet to be determined.

“As a club’s total increases to a certain threshold, we will enforce some … payback to encourage clubs to stay below that threshold.  We’re looking at a system similar to one we instituted a couple years ago with off-field conduct,” Birch told ESPN.com. “We’ll check the number of fines and the level of fines going out for infractions that relate to various player safety violations, particularly head and helmet issues.”

On Tuesday the 32 owners voted unanimously to approve rule amendments meant to increase player safety.  This included a measure preventing a player from launching himself into a defenseless opponent.  A 15-yard penalty will assessed for players that leave the ground with both feet, springing upward and forward, and delivering a blow to the helmet with any part of his helmet.

“This should permanently change the mentality of a defensive player trying to loosen the ball to change your target point,” competition committee chairman Rich McKay, president of the Atlanta Falcons, told ESPN.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL Turns to WADA to maintain high anti-doping standards

NFLLabor.com, May 24, 2011

NFL senior vice president of labor policy Adolpho Birch was asked today about the potential for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to administer the league’s steroid testing program.

“We thought our system worked well,” Birch said at the NFL Spring Meeting in Indianapolis. “Up until recently we had full support, participation and input from the players. In the absence of that, we need to look for ways to administer our policy in a way that keeps it as effective as we think it has been to date.  From a procedural standpoint, we need to look at those options. That would be one option.  We are certainly looking into that to see what that means for us and to see what that does to advance the idea that the NFL remains the leader in this area. What that means, we’ll find out, but we are going to take a look at it.”

“The goal is the same,” Birch said of the NFL and WADA. “Both organizations have always shared the goal that we want an effective program that deters those who wish to cheat and eliminates the threat of steroids from our game. Under any system that we consider, those would be the objectives: protect the health and safety of the player, understand their obligation as role models, and to have a fair and competitive level playing field.”

For a transcript of Birch’s media briefing, click here.

For the complete story, click here.

Maryland passes law to protect student athletes

CSNbaltimore.com, May 19, 2011

Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley signed into law legislation intended to protect students from the dangerous effects of head injuries and concussions, reported CSNbaltimore.com.

Under the bill, a student will be removed from competition and will not be allowed to return to practice or play until being cleared by a licensed health care professional. The provision is designed to provide protections for student athletes suspected of suffering head injuries or concussions while playing sports.

Additionally, the legislation includes programs for concussion awareness for players, parents, and coaches. Students and their parents/guardians will be required to sign a concussion information sheet in order to participate in school sports.

For the complete story, click here.

Doctors express concerns over public understanding of CTE

Sports Illustrated, May 16, 2011

A recent article in Sports Illustrated examines concerns some physicians and neurologists have about the public’s understanding of the brain injury known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). While many believe that there is a direct link between CTE and dementia and depression, experts caution that drawing this conclusion could be psychologically damaging to former athletes. Former contact sports participants who experience neurological symptoms or depression are urged in the article to seek professional help and avoid making assumptions about their condition.

According to the story, nineteen neurologists expressed their concern in two letters published last year in the Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology, after an article was published suggesting that CTE can cause an ALS-like disease.  ”People may come to decisions that could be very, very wrong,” said one letter, “and do things that are VERY DESTRUCTIVE.”

Answering the questions and concerns of the doctors is difficult – at this time, CTE can only be diagnosed through autopsy.

“Trying to tie everything into these sports injuries can be a distraction from the real problems,” Richard Barohn, chairman of the neurology department at the University of Kansas, told Sports Illustrated.

“I’m concerned that some people, whether they are football players or not, may come to some decisions that could be very, very wrong, and do things that are very destructive,” said Dr. Robert Cantu, co-director of Boston University’s Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy.

For the complete story, click here.

Indiana governor signs concussion bill

WIBC.com, May 12, 2011

Governor Mitch Daniels recently signed into law a bill protecting student athletes in Indiana from the long term effects of brain injuries, reported WIBC.com.

Based on the Zackery Lystedt law in Washington state, the law calls for the immediate removal of a player who may have potentially sustained a head injury.  After being pulled from play, an athlete may not return until cleared by a licensed medical professional.  The law also mandates concussion education for athletes, their parents and coaches.

For the complete story, click here.

Arizona passes new concussion legislation

Arizona Daily Star, May 13, 2011

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed into law an act that seeks to protect youth athletes who have sustained concussions, reports the Arizona Daily Star.

The new law will require youth athletes and their parents to be learn about the dangers of head injuries and concussions.  The law also requires youth athletes to be cleared by a certified medical professional before returning to play after suffering a concussion.

“This is a good step forward.  What people don’t realize is that if you have a concussion and you’re allowed back in to play too early, it can result in serious brain injury over time.  Concussions have a cumulative effect, and the young brain is more susceptible to brain injuries and takes longer to recover,” said neurosurgeon Robert Goldfarb .

For the complete story, click here.

NFL looks to World Anti-Doping Agency to oversee drug testing

New York Times, May 9, 2011

The New York Times reports that the NFL may look to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to test players for performance-enhancing drugs.  According to the Times story, “Using WADA, which oversees the testing of Olympic athletes and annually produces a list of banned substances, to monitor drug testing is just one of the contingencies the N.F.L. is considering if the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit declines to order a full stay of an injunction that would lift the lockout, or if the appeals court upholds the injunction on appeal this summer.”

Involving the WADA may be necessary, the Times reports, because “without an agreement in place, and with the decertified union unable to negotiate on behalf of players, the N.F.L. would be able to unilaterally impose a drug-testing program and penalties…the N.F.L. contends that without a union to provide checks and balances, a third party overseeing the program may be necessary for credibility and transparency.”

According to the story, the drug tests could also include blood tests for human growth hormone, tests “which have never been administered to N.F.L. players but which the league has in recent years said it wants to include in the next collective bargaining agreement.”

For the complete story, click here.

North Carolina House passes concussion bill

News & Observer, May 4, 2011

NFL representatives and former NFL players advocated for the passage of the Gfeller-Waller Concussion Awareness Act, which was passed by the North Carolina House of Representatives on May 3.

According to the News & Observer, “the bill was endorsed by the NFL, the Carolina Panthers, USA Baseball, the National Hockey League, the Carolina Hurricanes, the N.C. High School Athletic Association, the N.C. Athletic Trainers Association plus state associations for school boards, educators and administrators.”

The bill has four components, reports the News & Observer:

• All coaches, school nurses, athletic directors, students and parents receive concussion and head injury information each year.
•  Athletes exhibiting signs or symptoms consistent with a concussion injury shall be removed from play or practice and not return to participation until cleared by a medical professional.
• Each school is required to develop an emergency action plan to deal with serious injuries and acute medical conditions. The plan must be in writing, must be reviewed by an athletic trainer certified in North Carolina and approved by the principal.
• Schools must maintain complete and accurate records of compliance

Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz, member of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee and Director of the Matthew Gfeller Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Research Center at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, told the paper that the bill “will make play in middle school and high school athletics in North Carolina safer…[It] will help educate the coaches, players and parents about concussions. Education is a big first step.”

For the complete story, click here.

Cris Collinsworth reflects on player protection

FootballPros.com, May 4, 2011

Cris Collinsworth looks at the importance of standardized concussion testing, improvements in helmet design and rule changes in an article written about protecting players from head injury.

According to Collinsworth, teams need to be wary about the “triangular relationship between the player, team, and doctor… If I owned an NFL franchise, I would want the players to have a ‘Player’s Doctor’ on the sideline as well. If those two doctors concurred on medical decisions, my liability would be reduced.”

He also mentioned the possibility of changes in helmet design to prevent concussions, and opines that rules should be strengthened so that all players cannot be driven into the ground.

As Collinsworth puts it, “Having two sons currently playing high school and college football, I have a vested interest in this topic. I believe the NFL is serious about making positive changes on the concussion issue. The more it is discussed the better.”

For the complete story, click here.

Sports Illustrated chronicles Austin Collie’s recovery from concussions

Sports Illustrated, May 2, 2011

A Sports Illustrated story provides an update on Austin Collie’s recovery from two concussions sustained during the 2010 season.  Telling the magazine he now feels “phenomenal,” he has been cleared by Colts medical staff to resume play.

The article notes that Collie’s injuries have come at an important moment, as public sentiment and science alike are both focused on the dangers of head injuries. According to Sports Illustrated, “Rules have been changed to protect players. Institutional, public and media sensitivity are acutely heightened.

Collie’s journey underscores the complexity of an evolving science in an emotionally charged arena.”

According to  Collie,  he is ready to get back on the field. “People are entitled to their opinions about me,” he told Sports Illustrated, “but they’re not the ones who’ve had the concussions. They’re not the ones who know how I’m feeling. I’ve got a family and a kid. I know there are more important things than football. If I get another [concussion], I’ll take into consideration what’s happened in the past. But every person is different, every body reacts differently. I’m ready to continue what I started in those first six weeks last year.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL pushes for youth concussion bill in Missouri

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, May 3, 2011

Former Rams player Mike Jones and NFL representatives spent time Tuesday advocating for legislation that would “prevent high school athletes from returning to games if they appear to have a concussion or brain injury,” according to an article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

As Jones, now a football coach at a local university, told the Post-Dispatch, “Young athletes and their parents need to be educated on the symptoms and dangers of concussions and should not be allowed to return without medical clearance. That is what the bill before us is about.”

The bill, which unanimously passed the House in April, proposes that young athletes who are suspected of having a concussion must not play for at least a day and then would need permission from a medical expert in order to return to the field.  The bill would also “Interscholastic Youth Sports Brain Injury Prevention Act” for parents and student athletes alike to learn more about the risks of brain injury.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL statement on Dave Duerson findings

We once again express our deepest sympathy to the Duerson family. Dave Duerson was an outstanding player, but an even better person, including being recognized in 1987 as the NFL Man of the Year (now the Walter Payton Award) for his significant contributions to community service. We hope these findings will contribute more to the understanding of CTE. Our Head, Neck and Spine Medical Committee will study today’s findings, and as a league we will continue to support the work of the scientists at the Boston University Center and elsewhere to address this issue in a forthright and effective way. We also will continue to ensure that concussions are properly treated in the NFL, expand the help we are providing to our retired players, further evaluate playing rule and policy changes to reduce and prevent unnecessary  contact with the head, and advocate for the passage of Lystedt laws in all states to better protect young athletes in that suffer concussions in any sport.

Note: There are 16 states with a version of the Lystedt Law that Washington state first passed. They are WA, OR, VA, MA, RI, CT, NM, OK, NJ, UT, NE, ND, SD, IA, CO, AZ. Three other states (AK, IN, and MD) have passed legislation that is expected to be signed by their respective governors in a few days.

President Theodore Roosevelt’s role in the safety of football

Wall Street Journal, April 21, 2011

Teddy Roosevelt’s involvement in football rose from avid fan to advocate when he convened a meeting in 1905 of coaches from Yale, Harvard and Princeton to discuss the future of the game, according to the Wall Street Journal. That year, 18 players died on the field.

“Football is on trial. Because I believe in the game, I want to do all I can to save it,” said Roosevelt.

The results from the meeting at the White House include the legalization of the forward pass, increasing the number of yards for a first down from five to 10, and creating a neutral zone at the line of scrimmage. The coaches also formed the group that would eventually become the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

For the complete story, click here.

North Dakota legislature passes new law to address concussions in school sports

Associated Press, April 19, 2011

North Dakota lawmakers voted 88-5 to approve new rules dealing with concussions in youth athletics, reports the Associated Press.

Applying to school sports, the bill states that athletes showing signs of a concussion cannot resume playing until a medical professional clears them. The legislation also would require coaches and trainers to undergo training on the dangers of concussions every two years.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL adapts on-field practices for concussions

Los Angeles Times, April 18, 2011

The NFL has modified its procedures for identifying and treating concussions, implementing standard examinations that take several minutes, according to a story by the Los Angeles Times. Injured players must pass these exams to be eligible to return to the game, and part of the new approach includes allocating more medical staff to watch the field and actively identify injured players, according to the story.

“Remember, when someone is concussed on the field, there are other doctors and trainers watching the game,” said Dr. Richard Ellenbogen, co-chairman of the NFL’s head, neck and spine committee, during a conference call about ‘The New Medical Culture of the NFL.’

Hall of Fame coach John Madden, who oversees the NFL’s player-safety advisory panel, also participated in the call and emphasized the importance that decisions about whether a player is fit to compete should made by medical personnel instead of coaches.

“Taking it out of the coaches’ hands is the way it always should have been,” he said, according to the Times.

For the complete story, click here.

Alaska pushes new legislation to protect student athletes

KTUU-TV, April 15, 2011

Alaska House bill (HB 15), sponsored by Rep. Mike Doogan (D-Anchorage), would require student athletes suspected of suffering from a concussion to be cleared by a licensed medical professional before returning to play, according to KTUU-TV.

The bill would also establish guidelines to educate parents, players and coaches about concussions and the risk of brain damage.

HB 15 passed with unanimous support in the Senate, and is expected to be signed by Alaska Governor Sean Parnell.

For the complete story, click here.

ESPN examines the impact of concussions on youth hockey

ESPN, April 13, 2011

Hockey has the highest rate of concussions in teen sports, according to an ESPN Outside the Lines report.

The story notes that youth hockey coaches can sometimes add to the violent atmosphere, pressuring players to play in an aggressive manner. USA Hockey, the sport’s governing body, is proposing a ban on body checks for players under the age of 13 in an effort to “reign in the culture,” according to the story. The new measure will be voted on in June.

ESPN reports that “down in the grassroots where tradition reigns,” the ban on body checks will be a “tough sell, even among the concussed.”

Some youth hockey coaches oppose the ban, arguing that learning proper checking skills is less dangerous than the alternatives. As youth hockey coach Brian Doyle told ESPN, “You’re talking about guys that not only want to hit, but you’re talking about guys that want to make hits that hurt. And that’s a big difference.”

To view the complete story, click here. 

Sports leagues pay close attention to concussions

USA Today, April 13, 2011

USA Today reports that all sports leagues are fine-tuning their policies on concussions as national awareness of head injuries takes the spotlight.

Referring to a head injury suffered by NBA player Brian Scalabrine, the article notes, “That was two years ago, a long time in terms of public awareness of concussions and their consequences. Today, concern is so much a part of the national conversation that many casual sports fans understand what Scalabrine and his teammates didn’t — another concussion, when a player still suffers from one, can lead to real trouble.”

According to the story, the NFL, MLS, MLB and the NHL have all unveiled new, tougher concussion protocols recently, and the NBA is working on one.

As Atlanta Falcons president and NFL Competition Committee co-chair Rich McKay told the paper, “I’ve seen a cultural shift, all for the better. I think the old mentality of, ‘I’m tougher than that. I just got dinged, I can keep going,’ I think we’re starting to move past that.”

Dr. Richard Ellenbogen, co-chair of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee also addressed the culture change and the importance of concussion protocols, saying, “I think the reason the commissioner wanted this is you know in the heat of the game, 68,000 fans screaming, the player pushing you to go back in, this provides a consistency that did not exist.”

For the complete story, click here.

Nebraska passes Concussion Awareness Act

Omaha World-Herald, April 8, 2011

The recently passed Concussion Awareness Act, or Nebraska Legislative Bill 260, introduced by Sen. Steve Lathrop (D-Omaha), would require athletes suspected of suffering from a concussion to be cleared by a medical professional before returning to practice or competition, reported the Omaha World-Herald.

The Concussion Awareness Act would pertain to young athletes in school-sponsored sports as well as programs run by cities, businesses and nonprofit groups. Additionally, the measure would require athletes, parents and coaches to be provided with information about concussions.

The bill was supported by the NFL, as well as a coalition of families, medical professionals and athletic organizations.

The unanimously-passed bill will now go to Governor Dave Heineman, who is expected to sign it into law.

For the complete story, click here.

Vigilance necessary in monitoring female athletes for concussions

The Washington Post, April 5, 2011

Additional awareness is needed to identify the signs of concussion among high school girls, according a recent report by The Washington Post.

“You’d think it’s always boys and it’s always football, but it’s across the board,” Eric Castor, a certified athletic trainer at Chantilly High in Virginia, told the Post.

According to the story, girls soccer players had the second-highest concussion rate of participants in 12 sports examined in a study of 11 years of concussion data from Fairfax County schools. Cheerleading accounted for 5 percent of all concussions.

Chantilly High has implemented the ImPACT program, a concussion evaluation tool that compares post-injury assessment results to pre-season baseline scores across all sports, in order to better diagnose concussions in student athletes.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL concussion assessment protocol will aid in sideline concussion diagnosis

FOXSports.com, April 5, 2011

The newly-announced NFL sideline concussion assessment protocol recommends that players suspected of sustaining a concussion must pass a 6-8 minute assessment before being allowed to return to play, according to a FOXSports.com story. Results from the assessment will be compared to results from baseline tests conducted during the preseason.

Last season, 223 NFL players were diagnosed with concussions according to the story. Dr. Richard Ellenbogen, co-chair of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee, said the NFL has kept track of concussions for 20 years. He told FOX the 2010 concussion rate is higher due to an increase in player awareness and testing.

“I think the number shows an increase in the number of concussions we’re diagnosing. I do not believe — and this is speculation looking at the 2008, 2009 and 2010 numbers — that we have more concussions. I think we’re better at diagnosing concussions,” Dr. Ellenbogen said.

In addition to the standardized concussion assessment protocol, FOX reports that the NFL is also discussing sharing concussion data with the NCAA and considering the use of accelerometers to measure the force of impacts on the field.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL to require HGH testing for players in new collective bargaining agreement

Baltimore Sun, April 4, 2011

The National Football League will insist that players undergo human growth hormone testing as part of the new collective bargaining agreement reports the Baltimore Sun.

Currently, the NFL administers more than 14,000 tests randomly over a year, according to the story.

“The integrity of the NFL is critical,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told the Sun. “We have to make sure that we’re doing everything possible to have the best drug program in sports. Making changes to our program is critical. We have done that over the years and we have to do more, including the inclusion of HGH testing.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL Head, Neck and Spine co-chair discusses importance of standardized concussion assessments

Sirius NFL Radio, April 1, 2011

According to Dr. Richard Ellenbogen, co-chair of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee, standardized concussion tests that incorporate pre-season baseline results are key in assessing if a player has sustained a concussion.

Speaking on Sirius NFL Radio, Dr. Ellenbogen said, “What we try to do is standardize it by putting all the same elements in one test, to test cognitive issues, memory, concentration, balance and then a neurologic exam to see if neurologically their brain and spine are functioning normally, and it only takes seven or eight minutes.”

Click here for a condensed transcript of the interview.

Iowa passes youth concussion legislation

Daily Iowan, March 31, 2011

On March 15, the Iowa Senate unanimously voted in favor of the Youth Sports and Concussions Bill, according to an article on from the Daily Iowan.

The bill, introduced by Sen. Amanda Ragan and Sen. Tod Bowman, requires all school district administrators in Iowa to inform and educate coaches, student athletes, and parents on the risks of head injuries, including concussion, before the start of their sport’s season. If a student is suspected of having suffered concussions, they must be removed from participation. The athletes may not return to play until their parents sign information sheets and the players are released by a medical professional.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL releases concussion sideline protocol procedures

USA Today, March 30, 2011

The NFL released the list of standardized procedures and questions that comprise the new sideline concussion assessment protocol, according to a USA Today story.

The piece lists elements of the concussion protocol as follows:

• “[Players] will be told three numbers, such as 4-9-3, and asked to repeat them in reverse order.
• They will be asked to stand with feet together, eyes closed, hands on hips and hold that position for 20 seconds.
• They will be told a list of words (such as elbow, apple, carpet, saddle and bubble) and asked to repeat them back in any order.”
• They will be asked basic things like, “Who did we play last game?” and “What quarter is it?”

Many NFL trainers and doctors already employ these testing elements, according to the story, but “what is new is what the league calls a ‘standardized’ approach to using them.”

The protocol was developed by the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee’s Return-to-Play Subcommittee, chaired by Dr. Margot Putukian.

For the complete story, click here.

To view the sideline concussion protocol, click here and here.

EA Sports will no longer allow concussed players to return in Madden game

Associated Press, March 30, 2011

EA Sports President Peter Moore told the Associated Press that it was “wrong” for the company’s popular ‘Madden’ video game to allow concussed players to return to the field.

During the World Congress of Sports, Moore said “we have an obligation in our industry” to acknowledge the serious of head injuries, and that concussed players will no longer be allowed to return to play in the Madden game.

For the complete story, click here.

Youth concussion bill signed into law by Colorado Governor

Associated Press, March 29, 2011

The Associated Press reports that Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper is set to sign into legislation a bill that requires training in identifying concussions for middle school and recreational league sports coaches. The legislation would require coaches to remove athletes from play if they show signs of having a head injury such as a concussion and would not allow athletes to return to the game or practice without medical clearance. It is due to take effect in January 2012.

For the complete story, click here.

Major League Baseball announces concussion policy

Associated Press, March 29, 2011

USA Today reports that “Major League Baseball and the Players Association announced a series of protocols Tuesday regarding the policy, which will take effect on Thursday’s opening day.”

The protocols include a seven-day disabled list for concussed players.

According to the article, eight MLB players who suffered concussions last season were placed on the disabled list.

For the complete story, click here.

Coaches and doctors create concussion study group

Associated Press, March 28, 2011

The Associated Press reports that the American Football Coaches Association. the University of North Carolina’s traumatic brain injury research center, the Matthew Gfeller Foundation and Rawlings Sporting Goods have joined together to form the National Sports Concussion Cooperative (NSCC).

The group will “study concussions and brain trauma injuries, hoping to consolidate information that will make all sports safer,” according to the story.

The NSCC will focus on head injuries in sports beyond football.  “A kid plays ice hockey and sees Sidney Crosby is out for months with a concussion,” Dr. Jason Mihalik of the UNC research center told the Associated Press. “They start to wonder about this. They say it is something to take seriously.”

The newly-formed organization has long term goals of widespread outreach. According to the story, the ultimate goal of the NSCC that it will “grow into an international organization with input from anyone who deals with the prevention and treatment of brain injuries.”

For the complete story, click here.

USA Football sponsors yearlong study of youth sports injuries

Associated Press, March 28, 2011

USA Football, the sport’s national governing body on youth and amateur levels, will sponsor a full-season independent study on player health and safety in youth football, according to an article in the Associated Press.

The study will “document player health and estimate the injury rate for youngsters in the game” and the results “will be the basis for USA Football’s recommended safety measures and practices for different age levels, and its rulebook for youth football leagues in the United States,” according to the article.

USA Football is endowed by the NFL Youth Football Fund and is the official development partner of the NFL and its teams.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL applauds California concussion legislation

NFL.com, March 24, 2011

California Assembly Bill 25, authored by Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi (D-Hayward) and Senator Tony Strickland (R-Thousand Oaks), aims to protect student-athletes from concussion-related head injuries, according to a story by NFL.com.

“We are pleased that Assemblywoman Hayashi, the bill’s author, and the Members of the Assembly Education Committee have recognized that steps must be urgently taken to protect children and young student-athletes from preventable concussions and other brain injuries,” said NFL official Joe Browne.

In addition to the NFL, AB 25 is supported by the Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, AFL-CIO, California Teachers Association, Red Cross, American College of Sports Medicine, and many other organizations.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL wants HGH-testing as part of new collective bargaining agreement

FOXSports.com, March 24, 2011

A FOX Sports story reports that the NFL is looking to include human growth hormone testing for all NFL players as part of a new collective bargaining agreement.

“We want it. We think it’s necessary. We’re going to ensure that it’s done,” said NFL senior vice president of law and labor policy Adolpho Birch, who oversees the league’s drug-testing program. “That’s something very important to us and the integrity of our game.”

The NBA and NHL do not test for HGH, and Major League Baseball does so at the minor league level.

According to the article, the NFL formally requested the implementation of HGH testing from the NFLPA in January 2010.

For the complete story, click here.

With a focus on player safety, NFL moves kickoffs to 35-yard line

Associated Press, March 23, 2011

During the NFL Owners Meetings in New Orleans, ownership voted to adopt the NFL Competition Committee’s proposed rules change of moving kickoffs to the 35-yard line, according to an article in the Associated Press.

NFL ownership passed the new rule 26-6, and coaches including New Orleans Saints Head Coach agreed with the intent. According to the article, “Making kickoffs safer was the objective, and Payton believes the owners met it, voting 26-6 for the new rule.  ‘The bottom line is it’s … the highest risk-of-injury play,’ he said.”

Of the new rule, NFL Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay said, “Player safety will always trump any other consideration.”  According to the article, McKay “praised players for avoiding launching themselves during the second part of last season after the league threatened suspensions for illegal and flagrant hits.”

For the complete story, click here.

Proposed NFL rule changes focus on player safety

New Orleans Times-Picayune, March 22, 2011

A New Orleans Times-Picayune story focuses on the role that player safety plays in recently-proposed rules changes from the NFL Competition Committee.  As the article notes, “Recently, it seems as though player safety concerns have become more prevalent than ever in the NFL.”

The goal of protecting players is a large part of the proposed rules changes.  “Times have changed,” NFL executive vice president of football operations Ray Anderson told the Times-Picayune. “Safety has always been a priority. We’ve made no secret about that. And I think as we get more educated about the effect of some of these injuries, particularly head and neck injuries, we have a responsibility to address it. … We’ve got to be more proactive. That really is our charge.”

The article notes that the subject of player safety is one where league officials and players agree. Saints offensive tackle Jon Stinchcomb told the Times-Picayune that “All parties involved, from the players to the owners to the general managers to the coaches, agree that there are certain steps we can take to put our guys in better positions.”

The committee’s proposal includes moving the kickoff up to the 35-yard line from the 30 and bringing a touchback out to the 25-yard line instead of the 20). The result would be fewer kickoff returns.

For the complete story, click here.

South Dakota Governor signs youth concussion bill

Associated Press, March 20, 2011

The Governor of South Dakota has signed into law a measure that establishes new guidelines for handling concussions in youth sports, according to an Associated Press story. This law will require the state’s High School Activities Association and Education department to develop guidelines to inform constituents of the nature and risk of concussions. Sanctioned coaches would also need to complete a yearly training program, and any athlete showing signs of a concussion would undergo an evaluation before returning to play.

For the complete story, click here.

South Dakota Governor signs concussion legislation bill

KELO-TV (Sioux Falls, SD), March 17, 2011

South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard signed Senate Bill 149 this week, according to an story by KELO-TV in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  According to the piece, the bill “will require coaches to pull an athlete from a game if they’re suspected of suffering from the brain injury.”

Youth players will not be able to return to playing until they are cleared by a medical professional with expertise in concussion management and treatment.  The bill received local support from the NFL, as well as the state’s football and basketball coaches, according to an article in the Rapid City Journal.

For the complete stories, click here and here.

NFL Competition Committee proposes rule changes to make game safer, plans to step up enforcement of rules against illegal hits

Washington Post, March 16, 2011

According to a Washington Post article, the NFL will continue to intensify its enforcement of rules against hits to the heads of defenseless players.

“We need to continue in terms of disciplining repeat offenders and flagrant violators. . . When warranted, suspension will be an effective discipline for us,” said Ray Anderson, the NFL’s executive vice president of football operations.

Some players were given hefty fines last season for illegal hits but no suspensions were handed out. Anderson said there will be better communication with players to educate them about what is expected.

But he also said: “They need to understand we’re not relenting on this. . .We are going to hold [offenders] accountable even if it means suspension.”

The Competition Committee is also proposing rule changes “designed to make kickoffs safer and to expand protections for a receiver making a catch. The rule changes, which also include a proposal to make all scoring plays automatically subject to instant-replay review, must be approved by franchise owners to be enacted,” according to the piece.

The proposal would need to be ratified by at least three-quarters of teams in order to go into effect.

“[Players] need to understand we’re not relenting on this. . .We are going to hold [offenders] accountable even if it means suspension,” Anderson told the Post.

For the complete story, click here.

New NFL Long Term Care Insurance benefit rolled out to retired players

NFL Alumni, March 16, 2011

The NFL Alumni today informed its members that they will soon receive information on the new Long Term Care Insurance benefit, which is fully funded by the NFL clubs in partnership with Transamerica Life Insurance Company.

“All eligible retired players are advised to apply immediately, regardless of current or past medical history,” NFL Alumni President George Martin wrote to his members today. “This program has an acceptance criterion that is different than many other programs. You should apply even if you’ve previously been denied long term care insurance – you may still qualify for the benefit under this program. And, you may qualify even if you are receiving disability payments (such as from the NFL player retirement plan.)”

Among the details of this new benefit:

• Vested former players between the ages of 50-75 are eligible
• Insurance comes at no cost to vested retired NFL players – the premiums are 100% covered by the NFL
• Players may purchase coverage for spouses at a discounted rate
• If players already have a long term care insurance policy, they may still apply for this benefit and have the premium paid by the NFL
• If a player’s spouse already has a long term care insurance policy, the spouse may still apply for the discounted policy

For the complete story, click here.

US Anti-Doping Agency study: Americans rank use of performance enhancing drugs most serious problem in sports

Associated Press, March 16, 2011

“New research conducted for the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency finds that Americans rank the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) as the most serious problem facing sports today,” the Associated Press reported.

“The USADA commissioned a study that surveyed about 9,000 Americans — including adults, children, athletes, coaches and teachers — to measure the impact sports has on values and culture in the U.S.”

Said USADA CEO Travis Tygart: “This research reinforces that Americans care about the integrity of sport and what it means in our society.”

Also among the study’s findings:

• 75 percent of adults surveyed said that that athletes’ use of (PEDs) is a violation of ethics in sports.
• Nearly 90 percent of adults surveyed said that well-known athletes have a responsibility to be positive role models.

For the complete story, click here.

NHL General Managers Reject Total Ban on Hits to the Head

New York Times, March 16, 2011

According to a New York Times story, during a meeting this week, NHL general managers did not recommend a full ban on hits to the head during hockey games, but did recommend stricter enforcement of charging and boarding rules.

“There’s not support on a widespread basis for a blanket head-hit rule,” NFL Commissioner Gary Bettman said, according to the article.

As the piece notes, “The general managers’ recommendation that charging and boarding rules be enforced more strictly was a direct response to an increase in injuries as the game has sped up in recent years. With longer, two-line passes made legal since the 2005-6 season, more players are now racing into the far end of the ice, resulting in high-speed checks, collisions and injuries.”

Toronto Maple Leafs Burke general manager Brian Burke told the Times, there was ‘“no support” for a full ban on otherwise legal body checks that result in contact with the head.”

According to the Times, “Burke referred to a hit last year on a Toronto player, Phil Kessel, who was flattened by a straight-ahead shoulder check to the head that remains legal…’ Phil has to be more alert and keep his head up,’ Burke said. ‘He didn’t get a concussion on that play, but even if he did, I’d have the same view. We want that hit in our game.’”

For the complete story, click here.

Bill aimed at protecting youth athletes in Colorado passes state House

Durango Herald, March 15, 2011

Senate Bill 40, which mandates that youth athletes with suspected concussions would need medical approval to return to their sport, pass the Colorado state House, according to a story in the Durango Herald.

Already passed by the state Senate, the bill has received local support from the Denver Broncos, including former players Ed McCaffrey and Billy Thompson, and the NFL.

According to the article, “SB 40 applies to all types of sports, both in school and out of school. It requires coaches to complete an online class in concussion safety, and if athletes show signs of a concussion, they have to be pulled out of competition and can’t return until they are cleared by a doctor or nurse practitioner.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL Head Neck and Spine Committee member discusses importance of NFL player database

Patriot News (Harrisburg, PA)  March 13, 2011

Professor and Chair of Neurosurgery at Penn State University Robert E. Harbaugh explained the importance of his role on the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee with the Patriot-News.

Harbaugh, who chairs the Subcommittee for the Development and Management of Prospective Database for NFL Players, is charged with tracking all players and their concussion history.

“There’s really a strong interest in trying to make the NFL game safer and that filters down to the college and high school level,” Harbaugh told the Patriot News. “Over time, we’ll be able to inform players better about their risk and do things to be able to limit the amount of trauma they face.”

Harbaugh outlined his subcommittee’s goals in the piece. “Within a year, the committee hopes to start gathering data from players through neurological and neuropsychological evaluation, including MRIs of the brain, a genetic profile and even things like body mass index and sleep apnea,” according to the story.

The role of Harbaugh’s subcommittee is essential, according to Dr. Hunt Batjer, co-chair of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee. The Committee will seek to determine factors that contribute to long-term risk to athletes, including genetic and lifestyle factors and number and severity of head collisions.  “Establishing a prospective database is critical to answering these important questions,” Batjer told the Patriot-News.

For the complete story, click here.

Medill News Service looks at treatment and prevention of concussions in sports

Medill News Service, March 10, 2011

Medill News Service examines the various ways athletes can become concussed in a wide variety of sports, and the best treatment options being explored by experts, including members of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee.

The story focuses on the importance of letting medical professionals have the ultimate decision on whether a player is able to return to the field of play following a blow to the head.  According to the article, “Even the most informed athletic trainers cannot clear an athlete to return to play the same day as an injury due to a city ordinance passed in Chicago in January.”

Dr. Hunt Batjer, co-chair of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee, supports ordinances like these, and spoke with Medill News Service about the importance of laws like the Zackery Lystedt law, which, as the article states, “requires athletes under 18 to leave the field and not return until an approved medical official clears them.  Ten out of 50 states, including Illinois, have already adopted this law.”

“There are 2,000 professional athletes, but there are millions of kids.  The Lystedt law will save lives,” said Batjer.

“Everything that’s done at the professional level, it doesn’t trickle, it flows to youth sports,” he continued.

For the complete story, click here.

Chicago ordinance imposes unique penalties on schools who allow concussed youth to participate in sports

Associated Press, March 10, 2011

An Associated Press story examines a Chicago ordinance which penalizes public and private schools for returning concussed student athletes to the field.

The Chicago City Council is threatening that schools who allow concussed youth athletes to return to play will be held liable for water and sewer charges.

Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a member of the NFL Head Neck and Spine Committee and the NCAA Concussion Committee, told the Associated Press, “[The NFL and NCAA] have begun to show how they’re educating athletes at the professional level and at the NCAA level, and I think it’s created awareness for coaches and parents and athletes at the youth level.”

While states are adopting laws that keep youth players off the field if they show signs of concussion, Illinois does not have such a law. The city of Chicago is taking legislation to a local level with the ordinance, passed in January, which requires that “a student who shows signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion has to be pulled off the field and evaluated by a health care professional. If no one is immediately available, the child is to be ‘promptly taken’ for medical care.”

Schools that do not comply with the ordinance face the prospect of paying water and sewer charges.

“This is a serious public health danger,” said Alderman Edward M. Burke, a co-sponsor of the ordinance. “Parents and educators have to work together to ensure that youngsters are properly screened.”

For the full story, click here.

Wall Street Journal examines NFL’s new sideline concussion protocol

Wall Street Journal, March 9, 2011

In an article praising the NFL’s new sideline concussion protocol, announced by the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee during the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, the Wall Street Journal explains the importance of protecting players by keeping them off the playing field once they’re diagnosed with a concussion.

“No one wants to take anything away from the Ronnie Lotts of football—they’re one of the reasons we watch the games,” writes Allen Barra. “But now there will be a new emphasis on getting the Lotts and the people they hit immediate and thorough examinations on the sideline. No longer will a player be able to shrug off a hit and say, ‘It’s nothing, I’m going back in.’”

The piece describes the protocol’s three components—neurological testing, cognitive tests and a balance test. A player’s results will be compared with his results from pre-season testing in the same categories to determine the level of his injury.

As the article notes, diagnosing a concussion is only the first step in a treatment process. Nirav K. Shah, a neurosurgeon with Princeton Brain & Spine Care, applauded the NFL, noting “The NFL doesn’t consider this problem resolved when the game clock runs out.”

For the full story, click here.

NBA explores concussion policy

Associated Press, March 9, 2011

The Associated Press reports that the NBA is considering the implementation of a leaguewide policy on handling concussions, one that could be in place by next season.

According to Tim Frank, a league spokesperson, “The N.B.A. Team Physicians Society has been studying the issue of concussion management for several years and each team follows its own treatment and return-to-play protocols.  In addition, the league is working with a consulting neurologist concerning the possible adoption of a league wide protocol.”

The article also notes that in four weeks, at least six NBA players have missed games with concussion symptoms.

For the full story, click here.

As NHL stars experience concussions, league discusses rising rate of concussions in hockey

USA Today, March 8, 2011

The NHL plans to discuss the league’s rise in concussions during its annual meeting next week, according to an article in USA Today.

With stars like Sidney Crosby and Marc Savard sidelined with head injuries, the league is looking at the possibility of penalizing all hits to the head, accidental or not, according to the story, which also notes “considerable opposition” within the NHL to taking that step.

“On one side, you could say the game is getting too soft,” Washington Capitals forward Mike Knuble told USA Today. “On the other, we have to protect the players.”

The debate between preserving the sport and protecting the players “is the central tension in an ongoing debate over concussions in contact sports that flared up over the past year,” according to the article.

Because NHL players are more frequently being diagnosed with concussions because of accidental contact, the league is grappling with how to enforce penalties on those who cause unintentional injuries.

“Most of those things there isn’t much we can do to legislate against, unless we took hitting out of the game altogether, which I don’t think you will see that in your lifetime,” Bill Daly, the NHL’s deputy commissioner, told USA Today.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL supports Ohio bill focusing on youth head injuries

Columbus Dispatch, March 8 2011

A Columbus Dispatch story focuses on proposed legislation about treating and preventing head injuries among young athletes.

The bill is getting bipartisan support in the Ohio state legislature, as well as support from the NFL and the Cleveland Browns.

According to the article, the proposed legislation would:

“Require a parent or guardian to sign an information sheet stating that they have reviewed the information provided regarding brain injuries as prepared by the Department of Health before that athlete can participate in practice or games.

Require a coach or organization official to remove a student from play immediately if he or she is suspected of having a brain injury, and that athlete can’t return to play until cleared by a physician or certified athletic trainer.”

Representatives from the NFL were joined by former Browns player Kevin Mack and former Bengals player Eric Ball at the Statehouse in support of the legislation. As the article notes, “In January, the NFL gave a $100,000 grant to the Cleveland Clinic to fund an 18-month study about concussions in youth football.”

Bill sponsors are hoping for a vote on the legislation within 6 months.

For the complete story, click here.

Concussed baseball players experience different roads to recovery

New York Times, March 8, 2011

A New York Times article demonstrates the different ways a concussion diagnosis can affect different individuals, as demonstrated by the different recovery paths of MLB players Justin Morneau and Josh Beckett.

In an article titled, “Diverging Recoveries Highlight Danger of Concussions,” writer Pat Borzi contrasts Morneau and Beckett’s road to recovery. While Morneau was concussed eight months ago, he still suffers from “lingering symptoms, like occasional fogginess, and does not yet have medical clearance to return to the lineup.”

In contrast, Josh Beckett is back on the mound already, less than two weeks after sustaining a concussion.

As the article notes, “The contrasting experiences of the two players, both of them American League stars, underline the fact that no two concussions are alike, and that recovery times are dependent on whether a player has a concussion history and on other individual factors…Why Beckett was able to return so quickly, while Morneau’s absence continues, illustrates the difficulty of treating concussions and postconcussion syndrome.”

The story also highlights the importance of keeping athletes off the playing field until they are fully recovered from all symptoms associated with head injuries.  Dr. Robert Cantu, a co-director of Boston University’s Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy noted that those who suffer a brain injury while still displaying symptoms of the first one faces a higher risk of longer recovery times, according to the article. The NFL recently gave the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy a $1 million grant for research.

For the complete story, click here.

Houston Chronicle examines difficulty of diagnosing and treating concussions

Houston Chronicle, March 6, 2011

Columnist Richard Justice looks at the elusive elements of concussion treatment and diagnosis in a Houston Chronicle piece.

Justice writes, “Injuries can be iced, taped, braced or stitched back together. Isn’t that the first thing we’re taught in sports?… Perhaps that’s why concussions are so tough to understand. Concussions don’t play by the rules. Concussions confound, frighten and test us.”

The column details recent findings from a Houston area sports medicine clinic, including the fact that female athletes under 18 are more likely to suffer concussions than males of the same age group, and that girls soccer is a sport that results in a high rate of concussions.

Justice notes that concussion awareness and treatment at the youth and health school levels is a result of increased focus on the issue from the NFL.  “Everything happening at the high school and junior college level is a byproduct of the NFL’s focus on concussion prevention and treatment the past 18-20 months,” Justice writes.

For the complete story, click here.

Hockey player known for in-game brawls diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy

New York Times, March 2, 2011

The New York Times reports on the death of former NHL player Bob Probert, known for winning the majority of his 246 in-game fights. He died last year of heart failure and was recently found to have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) by researchers at Boston University. He is the first modern-day player to be diagnosed with CRW after death.

The article highlights the NHL’s balance between looking for ways to protect player safety without abandoning the bare-knuckled brawls that fans have come to know and love.

As Alan Schwarz writes, “Although the National Hockey League has taken steps recently to reduce brain trauma — banning blindside hits to the head, for example — it has nonetheless continued to allow the fighting that some say is part of the sport’s tradition and appeal. Teams continue to employ and reward players like Probert, who are known as enforcers because of how they intimidate opponents.”

While research continues into CTE, Probert’s wife told the Times, “In my heart of hearts, I don’t believe fighting is what did this to Bob.  It was hockey — all the checking and hits, things like that.”

According to the researchers at Boston University, 10 NHL players have already pledged to donate their brains after death for further examination.

 For the complete story, click here.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta praises new NFL concussion assessment protocol

CNN, March 1, 2011

Appearing on CNN, Dr. Sanjay Gupta praised the NFL’s new concussion sideline assessment protocol. “This is something that people are excited about because in part, it’s going to be the first attempt to do things consistently,” said Gupta.  He then explained the ways the sideline test will focus on cognitive, neurological and balance exams.

Gupta also read a statement from the NFL about how the protocol will be implemented. The statement is as follows:

The new protocol is not mandatory. They are suggested guidelines approved by the Head, Neck and Spine Committee, the Return-to-Play Subcommittee, and medical experts with years of experience on the sidelines.  Team physicians and team athletic trainers have reacted positively to the new protocol, as has the Competition Committee and Injury and Safety panel.  This is a matter requiring the clinical judgment of an experienced team physician who knows his or her players and knows when something is wrong. These guidelines are designed to provide more consistency across the NFL teams.

To watch the complete interview, click here.

Dr. Putukian discusses NFL concussion assessment protocol

Sportsnet Radio-Fan 590, March 1, 2011

Dr. Margot Putukian, chair of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee’s Return-to-Play Subcommittee, appeared on FAN 590, a popular Canadian sports talk radio station, to discuss the new concussion assessment sideline protocol.

Putukian emphasized the importance of offering teams a standardized protocol to determine whether or not a player should return to the field after a head injury.   She described the difficult process of diagnosing a concussion, as “it’s not like a fractured bone, where there’s something obviously wrong…We need to be more thorough.”

During the interview, host Jeff Blair described as “proactive” the NFL’s current approach to head injuries.

To listen to the complete interview, click here.

Former NFL player pushes for concussion legislation in Iowa

Associated Press, February 28, 2011

The NFL’s support of pending legislation in Iowa, aimed at protecting youth athletes from head injury, was highlighted in a recent Associated Press article.

Former Minnesota Viking Matt Blair joined NFL representatives at a news conference in support of the measure. According to the article, “Under the law, a student athlete suspected of having a concussion would be removed from competition until cleared by a medical professional. Parents and guardians would be required to sign a fact sheet about the dangers of concussions before a youngster could compete.”

As a former player, Blair can relate to the intense desire to return to playing field, even before it is medically advisable to do so.

“You think I’m going to come out of that game? No way,” Blair said. The article added that Blair’s experience “motivates him to push protections for younger athletes.”

Locally, the legislation is being advocated by former high school wrestling and football coach Sen. Tod Bowman, D-Maquoketa, who “warned that young athletes can’t be trusted to protect their own health.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee Co-Chairs Describe Positive Reaction to Concussion Assessment Protocol

CNN, February 25, 2011

Dr. Richard Ellenbogen and Dr. Hunt Batjer, co-chairs of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee, spoke with Dr. Sanjay Gupta of CNN about the league’s new concussion assessment protocol.

The CNN report describes the NFL Sidelines Concussion Exam as “a battery of simple tests evaluating concentration, basic thinking skills and balance. It also includes a questionnaire that asks about concussion symptoms. It’s designed to be given on the field, within a 6-to-8 minute window.”

“The individual pieces have all been validated through research, but they’ve never been used together like this,” Ellenbogen told CNN.

As part of the new protocol, CNN reports that players will be tested before the season begins to determine a baseline performance.

Ellenbogen and Batjer told CNN that the response to the new protocol was “enthusiastic – from team doctors, who were briefed Thursday, to trainers briefed the day before, to the influential Competition Committee, which saw the presentation on Tuesday.”

“Everyone we talk to, instead of pushing back, they are pushing us to be more aggressive,” said Ellenbogen. “It’s beyond a neurosurgeon’s dream.”

For the complete story, click here. To view a portion of Ellenbogen and Batjer’s appearance on CNN, click here.

NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee Introduces New Concussion Assessment Protocol

Associated Press, February 24, 2011

An Associated Press story previews the new sideline concussion assessment protocol that will be available to teams at the start of next season.

According to the article, the new guidelines will allow “all 32 teams use the same questions for players’ baseline tests. The policy would also add a balance test to the list of other tests already being used. Previously, teams used a variety of questions on the baseline tests, which players must pass before returning to action, and the balance testing was not part of the evaluation process.”

The Return-to-Play Subcommittee, part of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee, developed the new protocol, which will include three components—cognitive, neurological and balance tests.

“I think we’re diagnosing them better and players are more willing to come forward,” Dr. Margot Putukian, chair of the Return-to-Play Subcommittee, told the Associated Press. “My job is to monitor and gather information and see what happens when someone has an initial injury, how long it takes them to come back, the types of concussions they have and to make sure that everyone is on the same page.”

For the complete story, click here.

Scientific journal takes a closer look at CTE

Nature, February 24, 2011

The science journal Nature recently published a piece examining the neurodegenerative condition chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which has received increased attention following the recent death of former NFL player Dave Duerson.

Duerson requested that his brain be donated for research, and it is now being examined by the Boston University Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy, a research center studying deceased athletes’ brains for signs of CTE. The institution recently received a $1 million grant from the NFL.  It is unknown if Duerson had CTE.

Dr. Ann McKee, co-director of the Center said, “Anyone who is exposed to mild repetitive head trauma is vulnerable.” According to the article, this sort of trauma can affect many athletes, including rugby, soccer and hockey players, boxers, wrestlers. The piece also referenced soldiers, victims of physical abuse and ‘head bangers’ at rock concerts as vulnerable.

The article also highlights new rules implemented by the NFL to prevent players from returning to play too soon after a concussion, as well as a new concussion assessment protocol recently announced by the league, which includes a symptom checklist, a limited neurological exam and cognitive evaluation, and a balance assessment.

For the complete story, click here.

Player safety discussed during NFL Competition Committee meetings at Combine

Associated Press, February 23, 2011

The NFL Competition Committee is focusing on player safety in its meetings at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this week, the Associated Press reported.

Speaking with the Associated Press, Atlanta Falcons president Rich McKay, co-chair of the committee, said one major topic of discussion was player fines for illegal hits to the head during games.

According to the story, McKay “heard no complaints from coaches – even those who had players openly critical of the league’s increased fines for hits to the head last season.”

“I’ve been one who individually believes that the fine system works pretty well for us,” McKay said.  “It’s intended to deter conduct, and I think when you look at the number of repeat offenders we have, it works pretty well for us.”

For the complete story, click here.

Duerson’s intent to assist future players commended by family, colleagues

New York Times, February 23, 2011

A New York Times article by Alan Schwarz on the death of former player Dave Duerson notes that his apparent desire to contribute to scientific research about head injuries is bringing some solace to his family.

The article reports that Duerson left behind a note asking that his brain be donated for research.

As the story notes, “Alicia and Tregg Duerson cannot know and do not care to guess what his intentions were in this final request. What they do know is that, they said, it brings them some solace in a sad and confusing time.”

“I think it’s just an example of the type of person he is,” Duerson’s ex-wife Alicia said. “In his time, he put the future in front of him — future generations of football players in front of him. I’m just so proud of him at this moment.”

Per his wishes, Duerson’s brain will be examined by doctors at the Boston University Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy. This institution recently received a $1 million grant from the NFL.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL pushes for youth concussion laws nationwide

Associated Press, February 23, 2011

The NFL is pushing all 50 states to pass youth concussion laws, according to a recent Associated Press story.

The article notes that Commissioner Roger Goodell “told lawmakers that he was ‘changing the culture’ of football when it came to player safety.”

This commitment to player safety extends to the youth level, said Joe Browne, senior advisor to Commissioner Goodell.  Browne told the Associated Press, that the league’s push for safety measures in youth football is “part of the overall education of everyone involved in sports, not just in football, of the need to treat these injuries more seriously … We’re being much more aggressive in addressing the safety issue than perhaps any time in the 90-year history of our league.”

For the complete story, click here.

Dave Duerson Death Prompts Further Discussion on Head Injuries

The New York Times, February 21, 2011

Former Chicago Bear and New York Giant Dave Duerson’s suicide struck close to home for players, according to an article in the New York Times.  Fearful that he was suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the article continued, Duerson requested that his brain be examined post-mortem.

The piece notes that the NFL “has spent the last year addressing the issue [of CTE], mostly through changes in concussion management and playing rules.”  Duerson’s brain has been donated to Boston University’s Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy. The NFL donated $1 million to the Center last year.

According to the article, ”Retired and current players roundly noted on Sunday that they could not know what Duerson’s mind-set was and what other events in his life had contributed to his actions. Yet the gunshot from Duerson’s home in Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., and the final wishes for his brain shook players around the nation.”

Duerson spent part of his retirement focusing on player health issues.  The NFL released a statement on his death to the Times. It read: “It is a tragic situation that has everyone in the football community feeling both saddened and concerned. Dave Duerson was a leader, a doer, and a giver. He made great contributions to the NFL and to many others. The human tragedy is gut-wrenching and Dave’s family and friends have been in our thoughts. On the medical side, we will stay in close contact with our medical advisors and the BU research group to understand the facts and their significance.”

For the complete story, click here.

Columnist contrasts NFL and NHL approach to head injuries

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, February 20, 2011

A Pittsburgh Tribune-Review story by Joe Starkey emphasizes the need for stringent rules to protect player safety in all sports.

Starkey highlights a recent NHL game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins. He notes that Maple Leafs forward Mikhail Grabovski returned to playing moments after receiving two heavy blows to the head.

“Grabovski’s face was turned toward the boards,” Starkey wrote. “His skull ricocheted off the glass. He fell backward, clearly dazed, and tried to rise but crumpled to the ice. He pulled himself up on the second try and skated gingerly to the bench.

“At the very least, the man needed a lengthy break and further evaluation…Instead, he was sent out for his next shift. He was cleared to return because he was able to answer a few simple questions.”

Starkey contrasts the scene to a recent Steelers game against the Patriots, when Hines Ward was not allowed to return to play following a hit to the head.

“As medical personnel escorted him off the field,” Starkey continued, “[Ward] stumbled. That was enough for the team’s neurosurgeon, Dr. Joseph Maroon, to suspect a concussion and keep him from returning.”

Maroon is a member of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee.

“We know concussions can have cumulative effects,” Maroon told the Tribune-Review. “If you return to contact before you’re completely cleared, the brain is more vulnerable to a second impact with longer-term consequences.”

The NHL, Starkey concludes, should “urge its teams to exercise more caution.”

For the complete story, click here.

Debate arises concerning use of helmets in girls’ lacrosse

The New York Times, February 17, 2011

Female lacrosse players are currently not required to wear helmets, unlike their male counterparts.  According to an article in the New York Times, this is a topic of debate among head injury experts.

“Now at its own crossroad, women’s lacrosse — with 250,000 playing nationwide — wants to take the road less battered,” writes Alan Schwarz.   “And so begins the second stage of sports’ continuing parry with head injuries — in which the best protection, many experts insist, is no protection at all.”

According to the article, while some doctors argue that athletes’ behavior changes and becomes more aggressive when they wear protective gear and feel invincible, other experts believe that  women’s lacrosse is missing an opportunity to protect its players at a very basic level.

Schwarz writes, “Girls’ lacrosse does see its share of concussions, mostly on accidental stick-to-head contact, collisions and falls. According to research by Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, not only does the sport have the third-highest rate of concussion among female scholastic sports (behind soccer and basketball), but its in-game rate is only about 15 percent less than the rougher male version. “

For the complete story, click here.

Proper tackling techniques essential in keeping youth football safe

The Examiner (San Francisco), February 13, 2011

The risk of concussion in youth football players can be reduced with proper-fitting equipment, use of correct blocking and tackling techniques, and athletes reporting injuries to their coaches, reports The Examiner (San Francisco).

Steps are being taken to protect youth athletes from concussion, the story notes, including the NFL funding research on redesigning helmets to suit younger players, and updated rules and regulations for when youth football players can return to play following a concussion.

“We don’t take away a boy’s game because the possibility of injury exists. Rather, we require protective equipment, we provide effective coaching to teach proper techniques for playing safely, and — that’s right — we let them play,” writes Bob Frantz of The Examiner.

For the complete story, click here.

Olympic skier competes in world ski championships with concussion

The New York Times, February 13, 2011

Despite evidence that champion alpine skier and Olympic gold medal winner Lindsey Vonn was not fully recovered from a concussion, she competed in the world ski championships reports The New York Times.

Vonn acknowledged she was skiing “in a fog,” and experienced trouble with her balance after sustaining a concussion in a practice run a week earlier.

“My head just isn’t thinking fast enough,” said Vonn.  “I can’t process the information fast enough, and that gets me behind on the course. My body is one gate ahead of where my mind is, and that’s not a good way to ski.”

As the Times article notes, “If an N.F.L. player was allowed to compete under those conditions, the team (and league itself) would be roundly flayed for endangering his health — and misleading young athletes about the risks of head injuries.”

For the complete story, click here.

Helmet manufacturers, researchers, create “smart” helmets

New Scientist, February 5, 2011

According to an article in New Scientist, new helmets with sensors that can detect the strength of impact and relay real-time information to the sideline or medical centers for analysis are in development by helmet manufacturers and researchers.

Riddell has created Head Impact Telemetry System (HITS), a helmet with accelerometers that can sense the severity of a collision. Eventually, Riddell hopes to use real-time data to identify dangerous impacts and assist medical staff in assessing injuries.

Other helmets with customized padding may provide additional protection from injuries in problem areas, while accelerometers placed in mouth guards would provide addition data on the impact of hits.

Advances in helmet safety are the result of a higher level of medical understanding of low-level impacts, according to Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz, who researches sport-related brain injury at the University of North Carolina and is a member of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee.  “We’re used to hearing ‘it’s just a concussion’,” said Guskiewicz.  “We now know that there is a long-term effect of concussion….All helmet manufacturers are working hard to change their designs.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL addresses culture change

USA Today, February 4, 2011

Safety on the football field has improved due to stricter rules enforcement, better equipment, new coaching techniques and increased attention to medical treatment according to an opinion piece written by Ray Anderson, NFL executive vice president of football operations.

“There is no higher priority than protecting the health and safety of NFL players, and setting the right example for football and other sports,” writes Anderson.

For the complete story, click here.

Youth concussion legislation passed in Connecticut

Oxford Patch, February 3, 2011

The Connecticut Legislature passed a law aimed at protecting young athletes from returning to play too soon following a suspected concussion, reported the Oxford Patch.  The bill is modeled after Washington state’s Zackery Lystedt Law, which educates youth athletes and their parents on the dangers of concussions, as well as requiring athletes to be cleared by a certified medical professional before returning to play after suffering a concussion.

For the complete story, click here.

Experts discuss concussions in football

Good Morning America, February 2, 2011

Drs. Hunt Batjer and Richard Ellenbogen, co-chairs of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee (HNS), and Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz, an expert in sports-related concussion at the University of North Carolina and member of the HNS, sat down with Dr. Chris Magovern of Good Morning America to discuss the NFL’s efforts keep players healthy.

“The challenge for the NFL has been how to maintain the inherit physicality of the sport, while also protecting its players,” Dr. Magovern said.

“I think it’s crystal clear that there is a culture change occurring, and it’s reflected in the data, even from this year. More concussions have been reported year to date than were reported in the entire season last year,” Dr. Batjer said.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL commits to helping pass youth concussion laws in 10 states in 2011

State Legislatures Magazine, February 2011

The NFL has made it a priority to support laws that address youth concussions, according to an exclusive interview in State Legislatures Magazine with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

“Together, we can make sports, which are essential for so many of our kids, safer,” Commissioner Goodell said. “Sports teach teamwork, perseverance, dedication and commitment that will serve kids well throughout their lives. Youth sports are safe, but we can make them even safer, especially with regard to head injuries.”

Nine states across the country have passed substantive laws address youth concussions. These laws require education for athletes and their parents or guardians about concussions; the removal of an athlete who may have suffered a concussion from play; and allows athletes to return to play only after being cleared by a licensed health care provider.

“My office and the 32 NFL clubs will contribute to legislative advocacy around youth concussions in the states that choose to address this important public health issue this year,” the Commissioner said.

For the complete story, click here.

Coalition forms to support youth concussion laws

NPR, February 2, 2011

The NFL, the American College of Sports Medicine and many other groups have joined forces to advocate passage of state laws designed to protect youth athletes who may have sustained a concussion.

More than 60,000 high school athletes sustain a concussion annually, reports NPR. These concussions occur across all sports.

The coalition is urging states to pass laws similar to the Lystedt Law in Washington which protects young athletes from returning to play too soon after a concussion.

For the complete story, click here.

Kansas legislators consider concussion law

Lawrence Journal-World, February 1, 2011

Kansas legislators debated a law that would prevent young athletes from returning to play too soon following a concussion, according to a report in the Lawrence Journal-World.

The NFL and the Kansas City Chiefs provided written testimony in support of the legislation.

“Given our experience at the professional level, we believe a similar approach is appropriate and necessary when dealing with concussions in youth sports,” wrote NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

“While concussions occur in football, they are also prevalent in many youth sports including soccer, hockey, and basketball — whether played by boys or girls,” wrote Kansas City Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt. “This legislation will help parents, teachers, coaches and the youth athletes themselves recognize the signs and symptoms of concussions and respond appropriately.”

For the complete story, click here.

Youth athletes at risk for concussion

TIME, January 31, 2011

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3.8 million Americans sustain a concussion annually. An increasing number of youth athletes are accounting for those concussions. A child’s still- developing brain is more susceptible to concussion, reports TIME.

The issue of young athletes and concussions has been taken up by a wide variety of individuals and organizations, from legislators to sports equipment manufacturers to professional sports leagues to researchers.

Legislators have passed return-to-play laws in nine states. These laws require athletes who have sustained, or are suspected to have sustained a concussion in any sport to be pulled from play until they are cleared by a medical professional.

The TIME report also explores the work of researchers focusing on genetic differences that may explain why some athletes, even in high impact sports, may never experience a concussion, while others experience concussions more often.

For the complete story, click here.

Debate continues on player safety and how the game of football should be played

The New Yorker, January 31, 2011

The sport of football has evolved over the years in an effort to protect player safety, from the creation of the forward pass in the early 20th century, to changes in equipment, to a focus on enforcing rules on helmet-to-helmet hits.

Ben McGrath of The New Yorker takes an in-depth look at how new measures to protect player health and safety may impact the ways the game is played in the future. Through talks with former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, current and former players, Pittsburgh Steelers team president Art Rooney II, researchers and members of the media, McGrath examines the efforts to protect the health and safety of players, while also maintaining the fundamental elements of the sport.

The piece also quotes Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu. As he put it, “In the past, it was a style of ball that was three yards and a cloud of dust, so you didn’t see too many of these big hits, because there wasn’t so much space between players. I mean, with the passing game now, you get four-wide-receiver sets, sometimes five-wide-receiver sets. You get guys coming across the middle, you get zone coverages. You know, there’s more space between these big hits, so there’s more opportunity for these big hits.”

Read more.

Helmet manufactures develop new helmets in order to prevent concussions

Los Angeles Times, January 29, 2011

Helmet and equipment manufacturers are creating specialized equipment for the prevention and identification of injuries. Riddell has developed a helmet that includes accelerometers to capture, record and measure hits to the head, the Los Angeles Times reports. This technology would allow team physicians to receive alerts on the sideline if an impact exceeds a certain threshold.

For the complete story, click here.

Doctors form group to treat retired professional athletes

The Bergen Record, January 28, 2011

Former NFL players have sought treatment from the Retired Athletes Medical Resource Group Pain Alternatives, Solutions and Treatment (P.A.S.T.), a network of northern New Jersey-based doctors who provide medical care, pain management and behavioral health services to former professional athletes in need.

According to a story in The Bergen Record the services are offered on a discounted or pro-bono basis for players that are under-insured or have no insurance.

In an email to the reporter, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello noted that the NFL Player Care Foundation has committed millions to medical research and health screenings as well as bestowed grants to alumni to pay costs of Player Care programs such as joint replacement and spine treatment.

“We support all work that is being done to help retired players,” Aiello wrote.

For the complete story, click here.

Pennsylvania reintroduces concussion bills

Philadelphia Inquirer, January 27, 2011

Identical bills aimed at preventing young athletes from returning to play too soon following a concussion have been reintroduced in both the Pennsylvania state Senate and House.

Nine states have passed similar laws, reports The Philadelphia Inquirer. Joining the Pennsylvania legislators at a news conference were former Philadelphia Eagles players Harold Carmichael and Mike Quick, and Joe Browne, senior adviser to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. According to Browne, the NFL wants to see an additional 10 states pass legislation this year.

“We realize in the NFL that colleges, high schools, and grass-roots organizations look to us to set an example,” said Browne.

For the complete story, click here.

Database created to study concussions

NBCWashington.com, January 26, 2011

Recent studies and data have expanded the definition of a concussive incident beyond a loss of consciousness, amnesia and other symptoms to also include mild symptoms such as headaches. Robert Harbaugh, M.D., director of the Penn State Hershey Neuroscience Institute and member of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee, is working with a team of specialists to develop a system to better analyze how concussions occur and their related side effects. The system and corresponding concussion database will collect data over the span of an NFL player’s career.

“What we don’t have yet is a clear picture of exactly what leads to long term [damage]… General outlines are to collect a lot of data at the start of players’ NFL careers and throughout their years in league and try to follow players long term,” said Dr. Harbaugh. “Imaging studies, neurological [and] psychological testing, general medical review, genetic analysis… anything to get a complete picture.”

For the complete story, click here.

CDC hosts live chat on concussions in sports

January 26, 2011

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) “Heads Up” initiative will host a live chat on concussions in sports Thursday, January 27 at 3:00 PM ET.

Experts participating in the chat include Dr. Richard Hunt, director of CDC Division of Injury Response, and Dr. Stan Herring, the team physician for the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners. Dr. Herring is also a member of the NFL’s Head, Neck and Spine Medical Committee and chairs the committee’s subcommittee on advocacy and education. The doctors will focus on how to prevent, recognize and respond to concussions.

In addition, former NFL wide receiver Sean Morey and former professional wrestler and college football player Chris Nowinski will discuss their personal experiences with concussions.

For more information, click here.

Rodgers credits new helmet with concussion prevention

Sport Illustrated.com, January 25, 2011

As Peter King’s Tuesday Morning Quarterback column noted, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said his new, high-tech helmet may have prevented a concussion after a helmet-to-helmet hit during Sunday’s NFL Championship game. Rodgers switched to the new helmet after sustaining two concussions earlier in the season.

“That was lucky,” Rodgers said. “As much as the new helmet feels uncomfortable and I’m still getting used to it, I’m really happy I was wearing it on that hit.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL explores new technology for concussion research

Huffington Post, January 23, 2011

According to an editorial blog published on The Huffington Post, the NFL’s efforts in concussion education and prevention have had a positive impact beyond professional football, as return-to-play rules are adopted by schools and youth sports groups across the country.

“Imposing stricter rules regarding return-to-play following a head injury has indirectly helped protect countless kids from similar injuries and even more complicated side effects. Schools and youth sports groups have taken a page from the NFL playbook and have begun enforcing new rules stating players must be evaluated by a medical professional before returning to the field… Parents now know that they must play a proactive role in protecting their children, both on and off the field. And athletes know that playing through the pain is simply not an option anymore — this alone has probably saved thousands of kids from possible concussion mismanagement,” writes Sharon Chirban, Ph.D., an instructor at Harvard Medical School who also works in the concussion clinic in the division of sports medicine at Children’s Hospital Boston.

Dr. Chirban also points to the extensive research the league is doing to better understand causes of concussions. The NFL recently announced plans to use accelerometers installed in mouthpieces, earpieces and helmets in order to further study the impact of hits.

“While we are a long way from a full understanding of these injuries, the NFL has helped bring awareness and knowledge to the public arena, which is a necessary tool in prevention and recovery from these dangerous and potentially life threatening injuries,” writes Dr. Chirban.

For the complete story, click here.

South Dakota to consider concussion legislation

Pierre Capital Journal, January 20, 2011

South Dakota legislators convened a panel of doctors from across the state to discuss proposed concussion legislation.

South Dakota would join several other states that have passed concussion laws that prevent youth athletes from returning to play too soon following a concussion. The NFL is working to promote the passage of such laws around the country.

“What we are trying to do is change the culture of the NFL with regard to concussions,” said NFL senior vice president of government affairs Jeff Miller, who attended the discussion. “Given our platform, we hope that migrates down to changing the culture of all sports in regards to youth concussions at all levels. People follow what we do, and we’ve changed what we’ve done.”

For the complete story, click here.

Fox Sports’ analyst calls for players to wear proper padding

NFLLabor.com, January 18, 2011

Fox Sports analyst and former Dallas Cowboys player Daryl Johnston noted the importance of players wearing proper padding during the NFC Divisional Playoff game between the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks.

“I had two very bad concussions in my playing days and both were from getting hit with a knee to the side of my head,” Johnston said. “I was getting up from a block and somebody tried to jump over me. I wore everything – thigh pads, hip pads, knee pads. I think sometimes guys say ‘well if I hurt my knee, I hurt my knee’ but it’s not just for the guys wearing the pads, it’s also for the opposing players too. Just that little bit of foam there maybe cushions that blow enough where we don’t have the situation with Marcus that we do right now,” Johnston said, referring to a concussion Seattle cornerback Marcus Trufant sustained after he was hit in the head with an opponent’s un-padded knee.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL considers mandatory leg pads for player safety

ESPN.com, January 16, 2011

The NFL is considering requiring players to wear thigh pads and knee pads starting next season, reports ESPN.com. According to the article, the NFL Competition Committee will review trends in quad injuries and knee bruises before making a recommendation to the owners in March.

The league has already commissioned uniform pants that would incorporate the lightest and safest thigh and knee pads available stitched into the pants. Currently, pads are removable.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL promotes concussion bill in Nebraska

Associated Press, January 16, 2011

The NFL’s promotion of legislation around the country to prevent youth athletes from returning to play too soon after a concussion has lead to the introduction of a bill in the Nebraska state senate, reports the Associated Press.

“We felt a responsibility, with our platform, to advocate for better treatment of kids, who have more risk than adults do,” said Jeff Miller, NFL senior vice president for government affairs.

The NFL partnered with the Nebraska State Athletic Trainers’ Association and Brain Injury Association of Nebraska to help create a bill modeled after the state of Washington’s Lystedt Law.

“We have made a commitment to assist in the passage of 10 more similar bills in the next year and continue our advocacy around the country until every state has a concussion law,” Miller said.

For the complete story, click here.

Chicago city council to vote on youth concussion rule

Chicago Tribune, January 12, 2011

The Chicago city council is considering a rule preventing student athletes from returning to play too soon following a concussion. The rule would apply to all public and private schools that get free water from the city, reports the Chicago Tribune.

“Our goal is not to eliminate sports, but rather to make youth sports safer,” said Dr. Hunt Batjer, Northwestern Memorial Hospital neurosurgeon and co-chair of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee.

For the complete story, click here.

Utah to consider concussion bill

Associated Press, January 10, 2011

The Utah legislature will consider a bill that would require youth athletes who suffer a concussion to get medical clearance before they are allowed to return to play.

State Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clinton, the sponsor of House Bill 204, modeled the law after the Washington state law known as Lystedt’s Law. Zackery Lystedt, a Washington middle school football player, suffered brain damage in 2006 after he had a concussion and returned to the game.

National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell has sent letters to governors urging them to support legislation to prevent concussions, reports the Associated Press.

For the complete story, click here.

Virginia Tech researcher to create database of helmet safety test data

New York Times, January 8, 2011

Manufacturers’ laboratory test data on the safety of football helmets is not publicly disseminated due to an industry agreement, reports the New York Times. While some graphs and percentages are included in marketing materials, the Federal Trade Commission has been asked to investigate helmet companies for misleading safety claims.

Stefan Duma, an engineer at Virginia Tech, is working on creating a database of independent test results, which would be publicly available, similar to safety data on cars and child booster seats.

The current standards for new and refurbished football helmets are set by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) and ensure helmets protect against high-level forces that could cause skull fractures. The NOCSAE standards have not changed since 1973 and do not include protection against concussion. Experts argue that concussion safety standards cannot be set until there is a greater understanding of the causes of the injury.

NOCSAE does not allow the distribution of helmet test data in order to prevent implying safety properties that many not exist. Duma said that his approach, which will use not rely on industry data but will instead utilize ideas from helmet manufacturers and independent experts, would generate the most useful information to date.

For the complete story, click here.

Focus on illegal hits continues through NFL Playoffs

Associated Press, January 7, 2011

The newly appointed co-chairman of the NFL Player Safety Advisory Panel, Pro Football Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott will be watching for what he calls “good hits” during playoff games this year. This season brought stricter enforcement against illegal hits and an increase in unnecessary roughness penalties from 2009, reports the Associated Press.

Lott says players have had adequate time to adjust their play, something they can and must do.

“You’re still going to play hard. You’re still going to hit hard. You’re still going to find a way to get to the ball. Great players will adapt, and you want to respect the integrity of the game. ‘Great’ trumps fines. ‘Great’ trumps doing it wrong. You can’t be ‘great’ if you’re doing it wrong,” Lott said. “That’s the most important thing: If the rules change, and you want to be ‘great,’ you’re going to learn how to adapt; you’re not going to learn how to complain.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL fighting head injuries with technology

Washington Post, January 6, 2011

“The NFL is turning to technology to both measure and mitigate pro football’s effect on players’ brains,” Mark Maske writes in today’s Washington Post. “If they can, with the help of technology, gain a greater understanding in that area, they hope that will help them better protect players against head injuries.”

University of Washington neurologist Dr. Richard Ellenbogen, co-chair of the NFL’s Head, Neck and Spine Committee, discussed the importance of continued research.

“We see impacts with an enormous amount of energy and the player is not concussed,” Dr. Ellenbogen said. “And then we see a hit with less energy and the player is concussed. We have not been able to match the two… The goal is to see if we can correlate the impacts with the outcome in terms of concussion.”

Reports Maske, “That goal will soon lead to placements of devices known as accelerometers in players’ helmets to measure the force of hits to the head they absorb. The NFL committee plans to test three types of the devices – versions used in helmets, earpieces and mouthpieces – for possible use by players beginning next season.”

Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz, a member of the NFL committee and chairman of the department of exercise and sport science at the University of North Carolina, noted that he is optimistic that the research can help lead to a safer game.

“We sit down with players who are taking hit impacts and say, ‘Look at what you’re doing. You’re lowering your head on certain types of hits.’ I think technologies can be used in a preventive role as well,” Dr. Guskiewicz said. “One of the things I’m hopeful we can do – one of the things we do at UNC – is use the technologies, like the accelerometer, to help change behavior.”

For the complete story, click here.

Concussion bill introduced in Indiana senate

Indianapolis Star, January 5, 2011

An Indianapolis Star article by Nat Newell reported on legislation introduced in the Indiana Senate that would provide legal requirements for the treatment of head injuries at high school athletic events. The protocols contained in the legislation would follow requirements instituted by the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and would require schools to educate coaches, athletes and parents about concussions. Parents would be required to return an acknowledgement form each year prior to practice. Any athlete suspected of sustaining a head injury or concussion would be removed from play and would not be permitted to return until cleared by a licensed health official. The NFL and USA Football consulted on the legislation.

For the complete story, click here.

Hall of Famers John Madden and Ronnie Lott will lead NFL council on player safety issues

Bloomberg, January 4, 2011

Pro Football Hall of Famers Ronnie Lott and John Madden will co-chair a Player Safety Advisory Panel. Joining Madden and Lott on the panel are former players including Antonio Freeman and Willie Lanier, former player and coach Marty Schottenheimer, and former general manager Ernie Accorsi.

The panel will review rules, techniques, training methods and equipment that may impact player safety, and then make recommendations to players, coaches and NFL executives.

“We have the foresight to say to our fans, ‘Look, we don’t have all the answers, but we’re going to see if we can make sure our players are safe five years from now,” Lott said, as reported by Bloomberg. “Hopefully my young son who plays and loves this game will look back and say, ‘Hey Dad, you did the right thing.’”

For the complete story, click here.

Senator Calls for Helmet Safety Investigation

The New York Times, January 3, 2011

An article by The New York Times’ Alan Schwarz reported that Tom Udall, a United States Senator from New Mexico, formally requested that the Federal Trade Commission investigate “misleading safety claims and deceptive practices” among helmet manufacturers and refurbishers. Schwartz reported that the letter contended that advertisements from two primary helmet companies could violate the Federal Trade Commission Act, which prohibits misleading descriptions of the protective quality of a safety device, particularly one used by children.

For the complete story, click here.

Research into CTE necessitates innovation, competition, collaboration

ESPN: The Magazine, December 30, 2010

A story by Peter Keating in the January issue of ESPN: The Magazine examines the study of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), “a brain syndrome caused by repeated blows to the head.”

Keating notes Commissioner Goodell’s proactive approach to concussion research, writing, “As he leads his league through this age of discovery, he has chosen to attack the issue by looking toward future research rather than past inadequacies.”

The article also describes December’s NFL Head Neck and Spine Committee meetings, noting the committee’s work with the Department of Defense’s research and development office. Keating also notes that helmet and sensor system manufacturers presented to the committee on possible helmet improvements and ways to measure the impact of on-field hits.

For the complete story, click here.

Coach Bobby Hosea focuses on the importance of ‘Heads Up’ tackling in youth football

New York Times, December 26, 2010

A New York Times article by Alan Schwarz profiles Coach Bobby Hosea, a consultant for USA Football, the sport’s national governing body. USA Football is endowed by the NFL Youth Football Fund.

Hosea focuses on teaching youth football players how to tackle correctly so that they protect their heads. He emphasizes the importance of tackling with the head up instead of down. Schwarz writes, “Hosea sees himself as saving more than the players’ ability to walk and think. He sees it as saving the sport, one youngster at a time.”

All of Hosea’s drills focus on changing a player’s inclination to tackle with the head down and rebuilding technique to focus on keeping “knees bent, backside out and chest up, bending the spine and forcing the chin and eyes up. Arms remain at the side until just before impact, when the hips and shoulders thrust up into the opponent, only then swinging forward to wrap up the runner and wrestle him down.”

Hosea’s unconventional techniques are having their desired effect on young football players. According to one eighth grader taking part in Hosea’s camp, the experience “gives me more confidence on the field — I feel like I’m not going to hurt myself.”

For the complete story, click here.

Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers confident in concussion protocol

Green Bay Press Gazette, December 22, 2010

After sustaining two concussions in two months, followed by a week and a half of no time on the practice field, Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers has returned to practice.

Rodgers said the league’s strict concussion protocol is based on adequate data and research.

“I do,” Rodgers said. “I think there’s been a lot of research done, I trust the (players union) and the NFL working together to improve player safety and dealing with concussions. I feel very confident with the diagnosis I got and the clearance I got.”

For the complete story, click here.

Concussion confidential

ESPN The Magazine, December 19, 2010

In November, ESPN The Magazine conducted a survey at high school football stadiums across the country to see what people who have an interest in the game think about concussions.

The confidential survey was answered by 600 people (300 players, 100 coaches, 100 parents, 100 athletic trainers) in 23 states. The majority of respondents from all groups – players, coaches, parents and athletic trainers – agree concussion awareness is at an all-time high.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL Charities grants nearly $1 million to concussion research

Associated Press, December 21, 2010

NFL Charities is donating a total of $1.6 million for sports-related medical studies at 16 organizations this year, including a record $988,224 to 10 groups focusing on head injuries and neurological problems, the Associated Press reported. This is in addition to the $1 million the league donated to Boston University School of Medicine in 2010 to support the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy’s research into the long-term effects of repetitive brain trauma in athletes.

“These grants will help to address risk factors for football players and all athletes, and make the game safer,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said.

For the complete story, click here.

Additional stories on NFL Charities Medical Grants:

• News & Observer, January 5, 2011
• The Ithaca Journal, January 3, 2011
• Associated Press, December 30, 2010
• Toledo Blade, December 27, 2010
• Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY), December 23, 2010
• Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, December 22, 2010
• Orthopedic & Spine Review, December 22, 2010
• San Diego Union Tribune, December 21, 2010
• Los Angeles Times, December 21, 2010
• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 21, 2010
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, December 21, 2010

A majority of football fans favor stricter enforcement against illegal hits

Rasmussen Reports, December 19, 2010

A majority of football fans are in favor of the NFL’s stricter enforcement against illegal hits, according to a recent national telephone survey commissioned by research firm Rasmussen Reports.

The polling concluded that 62 percent of fans think that the stricter enforcement is “good for the sport” while 11 percent of respondents were “not sure.” Twenty-seven percent were not in favor of the new rules.

The survey of 3,300 professional football fans was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on December 14-15, 2010.

For the complete story, click here.

Goodell discusses stricter enforcement against illegal hits

The Washington Post, December 15, 2010

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said that stricter enforcement against illegal hits has been good for the sport, The Washington Post reported.

“We just went through it with the ownership, including [showing] a video [highlighting] of how the game is changing in a positive way, the hits that we have identified, the techniques that we have identified and getting them out of the game, and how players have adjusted, coaches have adjusted,” Goodell said. “And it’s been good for the game.”

“It’s been the number one priority for several years,” Goodell said, “That’s what we’re focused on.”

For the complete story, click here.

Retired NFL players lend support to student-athlete injury bill

Los Angeles Times, December 15, 2010

The NFL publicly supported a proposal requiring that young athletes in California are cleared by a medical professional before returning to play after a concussion. Support for the bill also came from former San Francisco 49ers players Keena Turner and Eric Davis and former Oakland Raiders players Jim Otto and Fred Biletnikoff.

The decision to leave a game should be “out of the player’s hands, and out of the coach’s hands,” Davis said.

The Los Angeles Times reported, “The NFL is backing legislation in 44 states this year that would require young players who suffer head injuries to stay off the field for at least the rest of the day and to get a medical professional’s signature before they play again.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 3 million sports and recreation-related concussions are suffered each year in the United States. Nearly half of those injured in all sports return to play too early, according to a 2010 report by the Center for Injury Research and Policy.

Otto said, “It’s imperative that this thing has to pass and that our children have to be protected.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL is serious about safety

Chicago Sun-Times, December 15, 2010

Dr. Hunt Batjer, the Northwestern neurosurgeon and co-chair of the NFL’s Head, Neck and Spine Committee, and co-chair University of Washington neurosurgeon Richard Ellenbogen, met with scientists, doctors, helmet manufacturers, lawyers, former NFL players, NASCAR reps, NCAA personnel, U.S. military personnel and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. “The purpose of the congregation was to try to come to grips with the vast and still unlearned forces that contribute to head trauma in sport and all of life.”

Batjer was impressed with the wide-range of experts brought together to discuss the issue.

“There were guys from MIT there,” Batjer said. “Accelerometer producers, Indy 500 people, the Department of Defense. I mean, it was quite extraordinary.”

For the complete story, click here.

New bill targets early return to youth sports after concussions

Sacramento Bee, December 14, 2010

Former Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers players represented the NFL and joined with representatives from the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), California Athletic Trainers Association and California Brain Injury Association as California Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi unveiled legislation protecting youth athletes from returning to play too quickly following a concussion.

The legislation, Assembly Bill 25, would turn a CIF bylaw into a state law, requiring high school athletes who suffer a concussion to be removed from the game immediately and to be cleared by a medical professional before returning.

The bill applies to youth sports of all types.

For the complete story, click here.

Concussions in NFL up 21 percent from last season

Associated Press, December 13, 2010

“Many more concussions are being reported in the NFL this season, which the league considers evidence that players and teams are taking head injuries more seriously,” wrote Howard Fendrich of The Associated Press today.

According to NFL data cited by Fendrich, the number of concussions reported through the first eight weeks of the 2010 season is up 21 percent over the same time period in 2009.

“Based on the opinions of the trainers and the team physicians and everyone we communicate with, it appears to be a cultural change,” said Dr. Hunt Batjer of Northwestern University, co-chairman of the NFL’s head, neck and spine medical committee.

Said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, “A couple of team doctors mentioned to me that players in the past would have gone back in had it not been for our return-to-play guidelines. That’s a positive thing. But one of the things we’ve got to do is make sure there’s an awareness out there, so that when a player gets an injury, they report the injury to our medical professionals so they can be evaluated and those determinations can be made from a medical standpoint.”

Players have taken notice and are in favor of the changes.

“I think they’ve been doing a good job of getting things under control and making it harder for guys to get out there,” said New York Jets safety Brodney Pool. “I mean, this is the guys’ passion, and you want to go out there. You can say, ‘Nah, nothing’s wrong with me,’ but deep down inside, you know something’s wrong.”

Added Seattle Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant, who suffered a concussion last month: “It’s more of an active approach from the trainers and the league of the stuff you have to go through after you’re diagnosed with a concussion. It’s not like, ‘He’s a little woozy in the game; we’re going to see how he feels.’ If you’re woozy or if they see any symptoms of concussion, you have to come out and go through all these tests before you can get back on the field.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL could study effects of college, pro football

Associated Press, December 9, 2010

The NFL will consider a study that would examine whether playing in the league is more likely to result in long-term brain disease than only playing college football.

Northwestern University’s Hunt Batjer, M.D., co-chairman of the NFL’s head, neck and spine medical committee, said Thursday that the proposed study would test a group of 100 to 150 former NFL players who are 55 to 65 years old and compare them to “an age-matched and position-matched cohort of football players who played NCAA but not the pros.”

Both groups would be run through “a battery of advanced neuropsychological testing, cognitive studies, physical studies,” Batjer said, in an effort to figure out “whether an NFL career predicts risks of cognitive decline prematurely.”

He thinks that type of work to trace the long-term effects of playing football would be “so much more robust than a retrospective survey … where a lot of the data that we currently have comes from – and is flawed.”

The possible study was discussed as the committee wrapped up two days of meetings about concussions and how to improve player safety.

For the complete story, click here.

Football helmet standards are under new scrutiny

WCSH6 NBC, December 9, 2010

As part of a national NBC News segment on helmet safety, NBC news affiliate WCSH6 in Portland, Maine, reported, while helmet designs and the standards used to test them have lacked significant change over the past 30 years, the NFL is looking to improve that record. “What we’re looking to do is not only improve the quality of what we’re doing but make it safer for our players,” says NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Helmet makers say they have made great improvements in helmet protective features, including new air-filled padding and electronic monitoring of hits, but stand by the current National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) standards.

“If we make a change to our standard to address concussions without the scientific data we have no way to predict that the change is going to be effective,” says NOCSAE’s Mike Oliver.

Some experts, including Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of Michigan, agree.” It’s great we’re concentrating on helmets, we’re concentrating on the safety aspects of the game, but we need to do more research,” he says.

NOCSAE says it is working with researchers on the issue.

“We’ve spent almost two-and-a-half million dollars to underwrite research specifically related to concussions in all manners… how they are caused, how they are addressed in different sports,” says Oliver.

For the complete story, click here.

N.F.L. invites helmet safety ideas

New York Times, December 8, 2010

The NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee convened in Manhattan to discuss helmet performance, Alan Schwarz of the New York Times reported. Although football helmets are standardized across all levels of play by the National Organizing Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE), no updates have been made to the requirements since 1973.

Manufactures debated the benefits of different designs for several hours, but as Dr. Joe Maroon, neurosurgeon to the Pittsburgh Steelers, pointed out, “there’s still more questions than answers.”

For the complete story, click here.

Univ. of North Carolina doctor on minimizing concussions: “We need to focus on teaching how to tackle appropriately”

Associated Press, December 8, 2010

Player health and safety was the focus as the NFL held a conference in New York to discuss helmet safety and technology, Howard Fendrich of The Associated Press reported. Doctors from the NFL’s Head, Neck and Spine Committee were joined at the conference by helmet manufacturers, researchers, the military and NASCAR.

“There was a general view that the helmets have improved, but we all have to work harder to find how we’re going to take it to the next evolution of those helmets – gathering all the data, gathering all the technology that’s being developed,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “There are some very positive developments, but there are different approaches, and that was clear.”

University of North Carolina professor Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz, a member of the committee, noted that the way the game is played needs to evolve as well.

“We stand a much better chance of minimizing concussions and eventually preventing concussions by behavior modification,” Dr. Guskiewicz said. “We need to be focused on teaching young players, as well as collegiate and professional players, how to tackle appropriately, not leading with the head. Changing the culture at the professional level will be a challenge, but I think the NFL has done a good job over the past several months to begin that process.”

For the complete story, click here.

N.J. law targets student-athlete concussions

Philadelphia Inquirer, December 8, 2010

Governor Christie signed into legislation a bill to protect against concussions in student-athletes across New Jersey’s interscholastic youth sports programs, reported the Philadelphia Inquirer. He was joined at the signing by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and New York Jets chairman and CEO Woody Johnson.

“The bill adopts a multifaceted approach, requiring the state Department of Education to develop an interscholastic athletic head injury safety training program to be completed by school physicians, coaches, and athletic trainers of public and nonpublic school interscholastic sports programs.

New Jersey is the ninth state to adopt such a bill, which was introduced in 2009 as the Lystedt Law in Washington state. “We’ve all seen the tragic results that can occur from sports-related concussions in both student and professional athletes,” Gov. Christie said. “It’s our obligation and responsibility to put the health and safety of our children first, and use the best research and evidence to protect them in the most effective way possible.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL partners with athletic trainers on concussion efforts

AOL NFL Fanhouse, December 7, 2010

The NFL is joining forces with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) to lobby state and federal legislatures to pass laws that set a minimum standard before young athletes are allowed to return to play after a concussion.

The joint effort was announced at the NATA Youth Sports Safety Alliance Summit.

“The commissioner said it’s a culture change in regards to concussions,” said Jeff Miller, the NFL’s Vice President of Government Relations and Public Policy. “Part of that culture change is to evolve from the professional ranks down to other levels of sports, too. It’s important parents, teachers and coaches as well as young athletes understand there are risks associated with concussions and how to manage them.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL Head Neck and Spine Committee Meeting to Focus on Research; Improvements in Helmet Design

Wired.com, December 7, 2010

A Wired.com story by Brad Stenger previews the December 8 NFL Head Neck and Spine Committee meeting in New York by interviewing Dr. Hunt Batjer, a co-chair of the committee. According to the article, “The Safety Committee boasts several subcommittees, which adds up to an unprecedented interdisciplinary research endeavor for a professional sports league.”

The December meeting will focus on presentations by helmet manufacturers; examinations of sensor systems to gather collision impact data; discussions of helmet testing and concussion prevention; and research on new materials for football helmets, including collaboration with the United States military.

According to Batjer, interest in the committee’s work is skyrocketing. “We’d have to put it in a football stadium to get everyone who wants to be there,” said Batjer.

For the complete story, click here.

UNC Professor Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz Uses Sensor Technology to Protect Football Players

The Daily Tar Heel, December 7, 2010

The University of North Carolina’s Daily Tar Heel campus paper profiles Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz, department chair of UNC’s Exercise and Sports Science program. Guskiewicz is also a member of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee and the Chair of the Subcommittee on Equipment Standards/Design and NFL Rules.

Guskiewicz works with UNC football players to research sport-related head trauma. He has been doing so for six years, and according to Guskiewicz, the UNC football coaches use “the program’s emphasis on safety as a recruiting tool.”

According to the article, Guskiewicz uses helmet sensors to “send data that measures the magnitude, location and frequency of each impact sustained during games and practices to a machine collecting the information…Hits that register forces more than a set threshold, often around 100 G-forces, send alerts straight to the pager at the hip of UNC football’s head athletic trainer Scott Trulock to trigger extra attention on the field and in Guskiewicz’s research.”

According to Trulock “The hard thing about concussions is that the symptoms are similar to a lot of other things….The sensors, in a lot of cases, help us rule out a concussion and help us focus on what might be affecting them.”

Guskiewicz became interested in concussion research while working for the Steelers and watching running back Merril Hoge, also a member of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee, endure multiple head traumas. His experience with Hoge’s injuries “was enough to spark [his] interest in the mismanagement of concussions, as well as their treatment, prevention and long-term effects.”

For the complete story, click here.

NFL partners with athletic trainers to protect youth from head injuries

USA Today, December 7, 2010

The National Football League and the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) announced a partnership that “works toward passage in all 50 states of laws similar to the Lystedt Law passed in 2009 in the state of Washington,” which aims to protect youth athletes from concussion, USA Today reported. The law requires that:

• Concussion and head injury information sheets be signed by each athlete and their parent or guardian.
• Immediate removal from participation of an athlete suspected of having a concussion.
• No return to play or practice until the athlete is cleared by a “licensed health care professional trained in the evaluation and management of concussions.”

“I feel our youth sports and our high school athletes are our neglected population. We focus on the elite athlete, which is good, but we don’t get down to that grass roots level of kids playing on every playing field,” said Marjorie Albohm, president of NATA.

“We are changing the culture of the NFL with regards to concussions and, as a result, we are changing the culture of all athletics at all levels,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. ” … We know that we set the standards in sports, and we accept that responsibility that comes with that. When we change our approach, other take notice and follow.”

For the complete story, click here.

Christie signs bill aimed at protecting student athletes from concussions

The Record, December 7, 2010

Governor Christie signed into law legislation which requires any student athlete in New Jersey suspected of suffering a concussion to be removed from practices and games until a doctor signs a note declaring it safe to return to play, reported The Record.

“Professional football’s attitude towards concussions has ‘changed dramatically, and in the right direction,’ NFL Alumni president George Martin, a former defensive lineman for the New York Giants, said. Martin was joined at the event by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and New York Jets chairman and CEO Woody Johnson.

“We’re changing the culture of the NFL,” Goodell said, “not only on behalf of current and future players.” The league is working towards similar legislation nationwide in order to protect young athletes.

Most of the attention has focused on professional athletes, Martin said, ‘but this problem reaches into amateur ranks, into the grade-school level. Anything we can do as high-profile individuals to stem that tide and eradicate, or at least minimize, those injuries to our most precious resource, the young people, we want to do.’”

Under the new law, the Department of Education will be required to develop a program to train school, coaches, athletic trainers, and physicians about the signs and symptoms of head and neck injuries and concussion. In addition, the state will develop and distribute a concussion fact sheet annually to students participating in sports which will require a parental signature, among other precautions.

For the complete story, click here.

Focus on NFL concussions brings attention to kids

Associated Press, December 7, 2010

At the “Youth Sports Safety Summit” on Capitol Hill Tuesday, experts discussed the trickle-down effect the recent focus on helmet safety in the NFL has had on overall youth safety in sports, reports Howard Fendrich of The Associated Press.

“What is amazing about this is how, over the last year, with the attention that’s been brought to the issue by the NFL, the whole field has just vaulted forward,” said Gerard Gioia, director of a concussion program at the Children’s National Medical Center.

Pop Warner demonstrated just one of these advances in safety when it announced last month that a doctor’s note will be required before a player with a head injury may return to action. The American Academy of Neurology also recommended that a qualified athletic trainer be present at all adult and children’s games and practices.

While Gioia is pleased with the recent trend, he believes that this is just the beginning. “The NFL is the tip of the iceberg, and it shines an important light,” Gioia said. “But if you look at the volume of kids playing youth sports – not just football, but all youth sports – there’s 30 to 45 million kids playing, and they have the least-available sports medical knowledge and services.”

Experts are hopeful that the summit on Capitol Hill will facilitate legislation that will help to protect children against long-term physical and mental problems.

For the complete story, click here.

NFL injury rate decreased in 2010

USA Today, November 24, 2010

USA Today reports the NFL injury rate decreased in 2010, compared to 2009. According to an analysis conducted by John Powell, an associate professor at Michigan State, the rate of injuries for the first half of the 2010 season was slightly less than the 2009 season. The data showed:

Injuries per team of more than 14 days lost through Week 8:

• 2010 – 13
• 2009 – 15

Injuries per team of more than 42 days lost through Week 8:

• 2010 – 3.8
• 2009 – 5.9

“From this data there is no reason to assume that the frequency of injuries thus far in the 2010 season is significantly different from the same period in the 2009 season,” said Powell.

For the complete story, click here.

Virginia passes Student-Athlete Protection Act

The Washington Post, March 12, 2010

Virginia legislatures passed the Student-Athlete Protection Act, putting new guidelines in place for how coaches of youth athletes handle concussions, reported The Washington Post. The new regulations will mandate that athletes be immediately removed from play if they are suspected of sustaining a concussion. Furthermore, they must obtain an evaluation and be cleared by a licensed health care provider before they return to play.

Additionally, students, parents and coaches will be required to undergo annual training to on the risks and dangers of brain injuries.

For the complete story, click here.