Professional football, a high-impact, high-risk sport, has long struggled with the issue of concussions. The crushing blows to the head, the bone-jarring tackles, and the subsequent injuries have become an unfortunate reality of the game. However, over the years, the National Football League (NFL) and other professional football organizations have implemented various concussion protocols to protect the health and safety of their players. In this article, we will explore the evolution of concussion protocols in professional football and examine the impact of these measures on player safety.
Early Years: The Lack of Concussion Protocols
In the early days of professional football, concussions were often viewed as a minor injury, and players were frequently allowed to return to the game without proper medical evaluation. The term “dazed” or “shaken up” was commonly used to describe players who had suffered a blow to the head, but the severity of the injury was often downplayed. It wasn’t until the 1990s, when high-profile players like Mike Webster and Jim McMahon began to speak out about the long-term effects of concussions, that the NFL started to take notice.
The First Concussion Protocols (1990s-2000s)
In 1997, the NFL introduced its first concussion protocol, which required players to be removed from the game if they showed signs of a concussion. However, the protocol was often loosely enforced, and players were frequently allowed to return to the game without proper clearance. It wasn’t until 2006, when the NFL established its Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI) Committee, that concussion protocols began to take shape. The committee, led by Dr. Elliot Pellman, developed guidelines for diagnosing and treating concussions, but the protocols were still largely ineffective in preventing players from returning to the game too quickly.
The Turning Point: The 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement
The 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) marked a significant turning point in the evolution of concussion protocols in the NFL. The CBA established a new concussion protocol, which required players to be removed from the game if they showed signs of a concussion, and mandated that an independent neurological consultant (INC) be present at every game to monitor player safety. The INC was empowered to overrule team medical staff and remove a player from the game if they suspected a concussion.
The Current Concussion Protocol (2013-Present)
In 2013, the NFL introduced its current concussion protocol, which includes the following steps:
- Pre-season education: Players, coaches, and team medical staff are educated on concussion symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
- In-game monitoring: Team medical staff and the INC monitor players for signs of concussions during games.
- Concussion diagnosis: If a player shows signs of a concussion, they are removed from the game and undergo a thorough medical evaluation.
- Return-to-play protocol: Players who have been diagnosed with a concussion must undergo a series of physical and cognitive tests before being cleared to return to play.
The Impact of Concussion Protocols on Player Safety
While concussion protocols have evolved significantly over the years, the impact on player safety is still a subject of debate. According to data from the NFL, the number of concussions diagnosed during games has decreased by 35% since 2013, when the current concussion protocol was introduced. However, many experts argue that the protocols are still inadequate, and that players are often allowed to return to the game too quickly.
Conclusion
The evolution of concussion protocols in professional football has been a gradual process, marked by significant milestones and setbacks. While progress has been made in protecting player safety, there is still much work to be done. As our understanding of concussions and their long-term effects continues to grow, it is essential that professional football organizations prioritize player safety and implement effective concussion protocols to prevent these devastating injuries.