Traumatic Brain Injury and The National Football League Andrew Coatsworth Emaan Jaberi Jackson Schmidt Jeff Lindquist Source

Our Take  With the growing epidemic of traumatic brain injuries, a change in NFL culture has never been more necessary. By broadening health education, reprioritizing business ethics to put the player’s health before financial gains, and strengthening regulation to better diagnose and treat concussions, it will be possible to change NFL culture and prevent traumatic brain injuries. You might recognize this man…. Source

Brief History  In 1905, the barbaric nature of football led to 19 fatalities at the collegiate level  The President of Harvard University at the time, Charles Eliot, wanted to ban football  However, President Roosevelt and Ivy League executives and coaches instituted new rules such as the forward pass  The game began to resemble the sport that is so wildly popular today Source

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy  First discovered in 1928 Harrison Martland, a New Jersey pathologist  Dubbed as “punch drunk,” and believed to be exclusive to boxers  In 2002, Dr. Bennett Omalu examined the brain of former NFL center, Mike Webster  His brain contained alarming levels of tau  Initial push for further research of traumatic brain injury within the world of sports source

CTE and the NFL  In 1994, the Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Committee was created by the NFL  Dr. Elliot Pellman appointed as chair  Consisted of many NFL stakeholders including team doctors and executives  Claimed concussions to an occupational risk within the NFL  After the MTBI committee published their favorable data, they were proactive in denouncing counter claims made by Dr. McKee and Dr. Omalu Source

Goodell Goes to Congress  With rising concern for player safety in the NFL, Commissioner Roger Goodell appeared before Congress  He denied knowing of any correlation between football and traumatic brain injury  Claimed that his medical experts were better suited to answer these questions  As a result, Dr. Richard Ellenbogen and Dr. Hunt Batjer were appointed chairs of the Head, Neck and Spine Committee Soruce

Culture in Athletics  “I believe in rough games and in rough, manly sports,” –President Teddy Roosevelt  Popular belief of “walking it off” and being “tough” within the world of sports  Opinion of former NFL quarterback Damon Huard  Examples: Ryan Freel (MLB Player) and Eric Pelly (high school football player) Source

Hit on Trent Green Source

Ideal Mindset  Adam O’Neil, a high performance specialist at Pinnacle Pro, works with athletes in order to help them reach maximum potential.  An “Ideal Mindset” helps athletes get “In the zone” during gameplay source

Money Making Machine  The NFL makes over $9 billion in annual revenue  Expected to increase to $25 billion by 2027  Each team is worth $1.7 billion on average  Roger Goodell made $44.2 million in 2012  Each players makes about $2 million on average source

The NFL Audibles  Following a class action lawsuit involving roughly 4,500 former players and their families, the NFL agreed to pay $765 million in a settlement source

The Corporate Trench Fight  AT&T announced that they would spend $500 million for the naming rights to Cowboy’s Stadium  This corporate trench fight has both positives and negatives  The league began the Head Health Initiative  Includes a $60 million partnership with GE  Also a $20 million partnership with Under Armor Source

Concussion Recovery  Rest  Sleep  Hydration  Proper Nutrition source

Regulation for Returning to Play  NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee Protocol  Creation of Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultants  Delegating Responsibility for return  Zackery Lystedt Law  “Nation’s toughest youth athlete return-to-play law”  All 50 states have now adopted similar regulations source

Concussion Education  CDC “Heads Up” Campaign  Nationwide program to increase awareness  Targets players, parents and coaches  Rose in the NFL in the mid 2000s  The old ways and “getting your bell rung”  Attitude transformation source

Rule Changes  Moving Kickoffs up  Reduced concussions by 40%  Targeting and Spearing  Intentionally hitting player in, or with, the head  Strict penalties  Potential suspension source

Technological Advances  Better padding within helmets  Eidon LLC  Kinetic Response Device  Video Video source

Technique Changes  Blocking with Hands vs. Face  Tackling with shoulders vs. helmet source

Questions  Survey Results Survey Results