By Connor Graham
The NFL, National Football league, is a league in which people are chosen to play football professionally. Although it may seem like fun and games, football at all levels come with many consequences. It could be broken bones or torn ligaments, but the one one that hurts the most is called CTE. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a brain disorder likely caused by repeated head injuries. “It causes the death of nerve cells in the brain, known as degeneration.” CTE gets worse over time. The only way to definitively diagnose CTE is after death during an autopsy of the brain. “The Boston University CTE Center announced today that they have now diagnosed 345 former NFL players with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) out of 376 former players studied (91.7 percent).” The NFL has noticed this horrific problem and is doing their best to put a complete end to it. They have been able to develop different types of helmets to help reduce the head trauma that can be caused by a NFL football player.
Firstly, the NFL has implemented rule changes designed to reduce the risk of head injuries during gameplay. “The NFL enforces rules changes aimed at eliminating potentially risky behavior that could lead to injuries.” This includes stricter enforcement of penalties for dangerous plays, such as helmet-to-helmet hits, and modifications to kickoff rules to minimize high-speed collisions. “Through rules changes, such as kickoff modifications and the “Use of the Helmet” rule — which states that it is a foul if a player lowers his head to initiate and make contact with his helmet against an opponent — the NFL is leveraging data in an effort to improve player safety and evolve the game.” By emphasizing player safety and penalizing actions that increase the likelihood of head trauma, the NFL aims to create a safer environment for its athletes and reduce the incidence of concussions and big hits that can lead to CTE. Even to this day there are still modifications being made to the rules to ensure player safety. Recently this year, there was a kick off rule that has been enforced to help decrease the amount of big hits, overall reducing the possibility of concussions or other head injuries.
In addition to rule changes, the NFL has invested heavily in research aimed at better understanding the causes, effects, and potential treatments of CTE. The league has partnered with leading medical institutions and researchers to fund studies examining the long-term neurological consequences of playing football and exploring innovative approaches to diagnosing and treating CTE. By supporting scientific inquiry into this complex condition, the NFL hopes to contribute to the development of evidence-based strategies for preventing and mitigating CTE in athletes. One partnership that is involved with this research is the Boston University School of Medicine. This school has been conducting research on CTE for many years. In a 2018 “Boston University study of 164 brains of men and women donated to the Framingham Heart Study found that only 1 of 164 (0.6 percent) had CTE. The lone CTE case was a former college football player.” This allows the NFL to take this data and apply it to what they can do to prevent football players from getting this disease.
Furthermore, the NFL has taken steps to improve player education and awareness regarding the risks of head injuries and the importance of reporting symptoms promptly. Through initiatives such as the “Heads Up Football” program and mandatory concussion education sessions for players, coaches, and team personnel, the league seeks to foster a culture of safety and empower individuals to prioritize their brain health. USA Football, leader of the heads up football program, “has developed Player Safety Coach (PSC) binders to complement our PSC Clinics. It is strongly recommended that schools participate in all aspects of Heads Up Football Middle and High School and have coaches certified annually. The level and frequency of program adoption is driven by schools, school districts as well as local and state requirements.” By equipping players with knowledge and resources to identify and address potential concussions, the NFL along with many other programs aim to reduce the likelihood of undiagnosed head injuries leading to long-term neurological damage.
Moreover, the NFL has invested in innovations in equipment technology aimed at enhancing player protection and reducing the forces transmitted to the head during impact. “Helmets were widely used in football during the 1920s. These helmets consisted of leather with some padding on the inside but provided little protection. While the helmet was developed to protect the head, these helmets lacked face masks and as a result, injuries were still common.” Injuries to the head had occurred way more often than they would now. In today’s game, “Technology has progressed in a way that enables companies like 2nd Skull to help empower athletes by adding additional protection to the most critical part of the human body.” This includes the development of advanced helmet designs that better absorb and dissipate energy, as well as improvements in padding and protective gear. By leveraging advancements in materials science and engineering, the NFL aims to minimize the risk of head trauma and improve the overall safety of the sport without compromising its integrity or competitiveness. Additionally to the evolution of helmets in the NFL, guardian caps have also played a role in the prevention of concussions and CTE. For practice it provides an extra layer of padding to help prevent injury on the practice field. The NFL had taken many steps in the right direction in terms of new technology, allowing players to feel safe while playing the game they love.
Additionally, the NFL has established protocols for the diagnosis, management, and treatment of concussions sustained during games and practices. These protocols outline specific steps that medical personnel must follow when evaluating and caring for players who may have suffered a head injury, including sideline assessments, neurocognitive testing, and return-to-play criteria. By standardizing concussion management practices across all teams and ensuring that players receive appropriate medical attention, the NFL aims to mitigate the short-term and long-term consequences of head injuries.
In conclusion, the National Football League (NFL) has taken significant strides in addressing the critical issue of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a condition that has plagued many former players. Through a combination of research initiatives, rule changes, improved player safety protocols, and increased awareness campaigns, the NFL has demonstrated a commitment to minimizing the risks associated with the sport. While challenges persist and more work remains to be done, the league’s efforts represent a crucial step towards safeguarding the well-being of its athletes both on and off the field. It is imperative that the NFL continues to prioritize the health and safety of its players, fostering a culture of innovation and accountability to ensure a safer future for the sport of football.
King, Aaron. “Evolution of Football Helmets.” 2ndskull.com, 2ndSkull, 5 Apr. 2019, 2ndskull.com/blogs/news/evolution-of-football-helmets.
Mayo Clinic . “Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy – Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, 18 Nov. 2023, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20370921.
McKee, Ann. “Researchers Find CTE in 345 of 376 Former NFL Players Studied | Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine.” Www.bumc.bu.edu, 6 Feb. 2023, http://www.bumc.bu.edu/camed/2023/02/06/researchers-find-cte-in-345-of-376-former-nfl-players-studied/.
National Football League. “NFL Health & Safety | NFL Football Operations.” Operations.nfl.com, 2021, operations.nfl.com/inside-football-ops/players-legends/player-health-safety/.
The Components of HEADS up FOOTBALL.
Sprockets and Springes 