The NFL better be scared.They had a rheumatologist in charge of their concussion program.

[Are_grits_groceries]

http://espn.com/video/clip?id=9571070

A 2009 GQ article about the NFL and how they ignored damaging concussion evidence and tried to destroy Dr.Omalu who was publishing papers about it:
http://www.gq.com/sports/profiles/200909/nfl-players-brain-dementia-study-memory-concussions?currentPage=1

I have followed this for years. The NFL actively worked to downplay and/or cover up evidence of the damage concussions had done and were doing.
The fact that that they had nobody with some type of neurological background leading their effort is damning.

Fun fact 1: Dr.Pellman, the rheumatologist, was Paul Tagliabue's physician. Tagliabue was NFL Commissioner at the time.
Fun fact2: Dr. Pellman still has a job with the NFL.

[TreasonousBastard]

1. Well, at least it was a doctor, not some PR guy...

they're learning.

[Demo_Chris]

2. These are adults. Not sure what they are supposed to do. nt

[Are_grits_groceries]

3. Yes, they are all adults.

However, when the NFL has a 'committee' to study the damage that concussions do, it was a joke. You do not put a rheumatologist in charge. If you do, you better have eleventy billion other doctors with TRAINING in neurology or some related field also in that group.

The NFL wasn't interested in mitigating the damage done. They were covering it up.

Yes, the players know that the damage that can be done to their bodies is severe. I don't think many had any clue that it would lead to such catastrophic consequences. The NFL began to get an idea and did nothing about it.

Players had no idea that after their careers, their families might be stuck with paying for long term care for dementia or related diseases. Nobody tried to tell them to seek help for certain conditions that could be related to brain injuries. They could tell what they were doing to their knees and backs, etc.

This is not an issue for just players from decades ago. Players who just left the NFL are having symptoms.

You work in a factory and the owners find out that something they are using is causing great harm to their employees. It was thought to have only minor to moderate health ramifications. They do nothing with this new info. They don't try to change the substance or have their employees take precautions when using it. The employees end up with major health problems and huge doctor bills. But, hey, they are all adults.

[Demo_Chris]

4. Okay, great post. I cannot argue with anything you have said, but for fun I'll try...

First, these aren't desperate factory workers sucking down asbesdos. These are a select group of highly trained athletes living their dream. They might not know everything that can go wrong down the road, but they DEFINATELY know what can go wrong every time they step onto the field. They are risking brutal life ending injuries every day, including in practice. They know it, because they see it. They've seen their friends hauled off the field with spinal injuries.

Obviously the NFL should do a real study, and if possible steps should be taken to reduce the risks. Perhaps better helmets are in order. Who knows. Maybe there's nothing to be done, in which case the players should know that as well.

But again, these guys are doing exactly what they want to do. Like the people who head up the world's tallest mountains, they know it's sometimes a one way trip.

Anyway, again a great post on your part and well worth reading.

[Are_grits_groceries]

5. I'm not arguing that many of them would still play.

I am saying that when info comes to light that directly affects their health, they should be informed. They do see all of the injuries you mentioned and more. However, Most had and have no clue what head trauma can do.

It doesn't have to even register as a concussion. Just having the brain banged against the skull can cause damage. It is cumulative. Once they think they are over a concussion, many think that's it. It's not.

Two stars who were and are in the public eye because they could not play because of concussion are Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins and Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Crosby is arguably the best NHL player. This is what is going to become more common and can't be hidden from the public.

One more scary thought is the damage being done to kids from peewee football to high school football. A lot of them use substandard equipment and many have coaches who have no clue about head injuries.

My final bitch is about the way they teach tackling. They don't or if they do, the players don't do it properly. For years, players wanted to blow somebody up. They didn't want to wrap them up and take them to the ground. They wanted to hit somebody going as fast as they can and many times they use their heads as weapons. That still holds true. This has always gone on, but somewhere along the way hitting someone head on became the accepted method. That's dangerous for both the tackler and the person tackled.

A prime example from this last weekend is the hit DJ Swearinger laid on Dustin Keller. He 'tackled' him low in order to avoid the head and a fine. My question is why did he lead with his helmet when he hit Keller's knee when he hit him low. Do not lead with your head. It is going to happen at times, but it is still accepted as standard by way too many players.

[Demo_Chris]

6. Excellent questions...

I'm not sure of the answer, but I suspect they are trying to perhaps injure the other player, or at least land one of those hits that makes the highlight reels.

[KharmaTrain]

7. The NFL Has Some Real Big Problems Here...

...and they know it. More and more data has come out and we're seeing how hobbled many of our childhood football heroes are now...that were caused by the excessive violence of the sport. The rise in popularity of the game in the 60s is now leading to long-term studies into the affects of hits these players took in their careers and how its diminished their quality of life...and how many were never properly treated and compensated. Then there's the nagging deaths of players that are also being traced to the hits they took as players...the evidence is leading to greater investigation into the league and its liability. This not only could cost the NFL billions in legal fees and claims but also would force a fundamental change on how the game is played. No surprise the NFL...like other sports faced with major scandals...tried to stonewall the investigations, but it usually backfires...

[Blue_Tires]

8. +1