NFL distributes poster on concussions
Share This Story
NEW YORK (AP)
The NFL will distribute a new poster to teams that warns of the dangers from concussions in much harsher language than the league had previously used.
Traumatic brain injury ''may lead to problems with memory and communication, personality changes, as well as depression and the early onset of dementia,'' the document reads. ''Concussions and conditions resulting from repeated brain injury can change your life and your family's life forever.''
The acknowledgment of such risks is a significant change from a pamphlet previously distributed to players, starting in 2007.
That pamphlet said: ''Current research with professional athletes has not shown that having more than one or two concussions leads to permanent problems if each injury is managed properly.''
Dr. Richard Ellenbogen, co-chairman of the NFL committee that studies concussions, said that recent research - even reports that have come out in just the last few months - influenced the changes in wording.
Ellenbogen, a neurosurgeon at the University of Washington who became the co-chair in March, said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wanted the committee to ''get in front of the medical evidence.''
He said Goodell told members, ''We need to be the leaders,''
The new wording was first reported by The New York Times. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed the changed language on Tuesday.
The document was a joint effort of the NFL's and union's medial committees. Ellenbogen said they consulted with experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health and Department of Defense.
Ellenbogen said the committee also talked to players, including Seattle Seahawks special teams ace Sean Morey, about how to word the poster so that players would heed its warnings.
''This is the most avant garde, up-to-date scientific document out there for a contact sport,'' Ellenbogen said. ''While it's intended for the pros, we're hoping it has a trickle-down effect to make every sport safer.''
Veteran Cowboys linebacker Keith Brooking said it's always good to have ''anything that can warn guys and can give everyone transparency so it's clear the effects of this game that we play.''
But he also conceded, ''If I knew that 12 years ago coming into this, I wouldn't change a thing; I wouldn't do anything different.''
Fellow Dallas linebacker Anthony Spencer agreed that it's important for players to be aware of the risks, but he's not sure the new poster will make them any more knowledgeable.
''I'm sure everyone knows,'' he said. ''I don't think it's a big secret.''
---
AP Sports Writer Stephen Hawkins in San Antonio contributed to this report.
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Belichick: Force throw to Manningham
Before Eli Manning and the Giants took the field for their eventual game-winning driv... -
Patriots Way headed down rocky path
Week full of gaffes wreaking havoc on Patriots' image. -
Tiger gives himself a chance at Pebble
Woods' opening-round 68 at Spyglass offers glimmers of hope. -
Diaz fails drug test, facing suspension
The head of the Nevada Athletic Commission says UFC welterweight Nick Diaz tested pos... -
Racers suffer first blemish of the year
Wheels come off for Murray State Racers as Tennessee State topples the last undefeate...
NFL Videos
Coach Speak: Best of Season 3
Posted: Feb 07, 2012
Season 3 of Coach Speak is a wrap. Check out the best of this past year.
Season 3 of Coach Speak is a wrap. Check out the best of this past year.
Online OT: Super Bowl XLVI recap
Posted: Feb 06, 2012
Charles Davis and Laura Okmin recap the Giants' 21-17 Super Bowl XLVI victory ov...
Charles Davis and Laura Okmin recap the Giants' 21-17 Super Bowl XLVI victory ov...
Victor Cruz's magical season
Posted: Feb 10, 2012
Victor Cruz talks about going from the practice squad to Super Bowl champ, turni...
Victor Cruz talks about going from the practice squad to Super Bowl champ, turni...
NFL Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys #82 Jason Witten Navy Blue Player T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dallas_Cowboys/browse/featuredproduct/346245/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_346000/FF_346245_xl.jpg&w=100 | 25.95 | Dallas Cowboys #82 Jason Witten Navy Blue Player T-shirt |
| New York Giants Royal Blue Critical Victory V Hoodie Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/676913/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_676000/ff_676913_xl.jpg&w=100 | 49.95 | New York Giants Royal Blue Critical Victory V Hoodie Sweatshirt |
| San Francisco 49ers Charcoal 1st & Goal IV Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_San_Francisco_49ers/browse/featuredproduct/678811/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_678000/ff_678811_xl.jpg&w=100 | 49.95 | San Francisco 49ers Charcoal 1st & Goal IV Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt |
| Carolina Panthers Championship Series Watch | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Carolina_Panthers/browse/featuredproduct/722612/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_722000/ff_722612_xl.jpg&w=100 | 39.95 | Carolina Panthers Championship Series Watch |
| Reebok Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers Replica Jersey - White - | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Green_Bay_Packers/browse/featuredproduct/744236/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_744000/ff_744236_xl.jpg&w=100 | 59.99 | Reebok Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers Replica Jersey - White - |
| Reebok Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions #81 Black Megatron Player Flex Fit Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Detroit_Lions/browse/featuredproduct/756044/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_756000/ff_756044_xl.jpg&w=100 | 25.95 | Reebok Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions #81 Black Megatron Player Flex Fit Hat |
| New England Patriots 2011 AFC East Division Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - White | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_England_Patriots/browse/featuredproduct/775172/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_775000/ff_775172_xl.jpg&w=100 | 21.95 | New England Patriots 2011 AFC East Division Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Whit.. |
| Reebok Tim Tebow Denver Broncos #15 Replica Jersey - White | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Denver_Broncos/browse/featuredproduct/775597/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_775000/ff_775597_xl.jpg&w=100 | 59.99 | Reebok Tim Tebow Denver Broncos #15 Replica Jersey - White |
| Houston Texans Black 2011 AFC South Division Champions Locker Room Adjustable Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Houston_Texans/browse/featuredproduct/776231/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_776000/ff_776231_xl.jpg&w=100 | 25.95 | Houston Texans Black 2011 AFC South Division Champions Locker Room Adjustable Ha.. |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.