NFL Concussion Experts Resign

In a week where two leading quarterbacks were sidelined by concussions, it is interesting to note that the co-chairmen of the league’s committee on brain injuries have resigned. The two, Dr. Ira Casson and Dr. David Viano, had been criticized by the NFL Players Association as being biased in their evaluation of research about the long term impact of concussions in NFL players. The independent and league-sponsored studies linked NFL careers with a heightened risk for dementia and cognitive (thought) decline. Dr. Casson had criticized the studies, saying the sample size was too small and that more research needed to be done before an assessment could be made. According to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who announced the resignations, the committee on brain injuries was formed to evaluate specific types of plays to evaluating possible rules changes “to reduce head impacts and related injuries in a game setting.” We’re all for that!

“Football isn’t a contact sport, it’s a collision sport. Dancing is a contact sport.”
- Vince Lombardi, professional football coach (in Sports in America) by J. Michener