NFL Concussion Policy

Over the Past four years, concussions have been at the forefront of player safety in Professional Sports. Last Thursday, new concussion protocols were put to the test after Colt McCoy, the Cleveland Browns quarterback suffered a concussion yet somehow was allowed to return to the game. While Colt did not tell any doctors about his concussion like symptoms till after the game, many must still wonder why this was allowed to happen. During the play, Colt was blatantly hit in the head, and it was obvious his equilibrium was off. Nevertheless, Colt returned to the game soon after the hit.

There are a series of people who are in charge of making sure that the players in the game are safe. First and foremost it is the job of the Head Coach to ensure that all players on the field are safe. Secondly, it is the job of the team’s athletic trainers to ensure that players are healthy enough to return to action. Third, it is the job of the team doctor to ensure that there is no bone, ligament, or brain damage to the individual. Lastly, it is the job of the NFL safety official in the booth above the stadium to report if any players do not appear healthy enough to continue to play. With all of these people closely watching the game it is impossible to understand why Colt returned to action.

Yesterday, Coach Mike Holmgren held a press conference in which he stated the exact events of the night and explained why Colt was allowed to re-enter the game. As a quarterback myself I am all for sucking it up and continuing to battle through injuries. Nevertheless, as someone who has suffered multiple concussions I find it ludicrous that more action was not taken. The NFL required baseline concussion test takes a short time to administer, and is supposed to be the required protocol. Giving Colt this baseline test would have been the simplest way to ensure his safety. While all these things should have happened, the reality is they did and repercussions need to follow. While I think the repercussions must send a message I do not think hitting people with fines or firings is the right solution. I believe the NFL must put an NFL sponsored neurologist on the sidelines for every team in every game to ensure that players are kept safe and to ensure that team training staffs are not taking short cuts to get important players back onto the field.