American football is often physically tough. Specular tackles are not uncommon and injuries are often the result. The head in particular is susceptible to this. The so-called “Concussion Protocol” is in place to protect the players.
American football is often physically tough. Specular tackles are not uncommon and injuries are often the result. Kansas quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who suffered a concussion in the game against the Cleveland Browns, recently caused a stir. Browns linebacker Mack Wilson had hit him in the back with a tackle and then pulled him to the ground with his left arm around the neck. In such cases, however, the league is no joke. To protect players from consequential damage caused by head injuries, the NFL uses the so-called “Concussion Protocol”. This could now also apply to Mahomes. FITBOOK explains what’s behind it.
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What is the Concussion Protocol?
For each NFL game, the league provides two so-called “spotters” whose task it is to detect alleged head injuries in the players. As soon as that happens, they’ll get in touch with the team’s coaches and medical staff via radio and can even arrange a medical break so that the player can be treated immediately.
Rules tell you what symptoms to look out for
According to the rules of the NFL, these “spotters” must look out for the following symptoms in the players:
- Losing Consciousness
- Difficulty getting up after being hit in the head or after a hard impact on the ground
- Coordination or balance problems (e.g. stumbling, significantly slowed or sluggish movements)
- blank or confused look
- Disorientation (e.g. if the player doesn’t know whether he is on the field or on the bench)
- Reaching for the head after contact
- a visible facial injury combined with at least one other symptom
What does this mean for NFL players like Mahomes?
If one of these requirements is met, the player must take a test that each of them had to complete before the start of the season. The current values are then compared with the existing ones. If there are any deviations, further examinations will follow in the cabin. Important: A player may during the game after going through the Concussion Protocols only actively participate in the game again if the team doctor and a neutral neurologist give him permission. If that does not happen, the player concerned must go through another five steps after the game before he can participate in training and game operations again. These are…
- Rest and relaxation: Electronic devices, social media activities and team meetings are prohibited, only some gymnastics is allowed.
- Light fitness exercises: The players are allowed to use an exercise bike for 10-20 minutes under the supervision of an athletic trainer.
- Fitness exercises and strength training: The scope of fitness exercises is increased and strength training is added, but still under the supervision of a trainer.
- Football-specific training: physical contact is prohibited, but otherwise the player can train with the team again.
- Approval for the entire training operation.
That could now also be the case for Kansas quarterback Patrick Mahomes before he can return to the field.
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Also interesting: Repeated headbuttons can trigger mental illness
To protect the players and themselves, the National Football League (NFL) changed the rules. Attacks with the helmet against the opponent’s helmet were prohibited. It was already in 2009 Concussion Protocol introduced and continuously adapted since then. The trigger was an increasing number of complaints from current and former players about head problems in the largest football league in the world.
Specifically the case of Aaron Hernandez caused a stir. The former New England Patriots tight end hanged himself in his prison cell in September 2017 for a 2012 murder. His wife blamed football and sued the NFL. During the autopsy, Hernandez was diagnosed with degenerative disease Côte (chronic traumatic encephalopathy). Not an isolated case! Scientists from Boston University and the Boston Healthcare System were able to detect CTE in 110 of 111 brains of dead football professionals examined. The disease is thought to result from repeated blows to the head and can lead to memory loss, depression, and dementia. In the summer of 2017, the NFL already paid a billion US dollars (around 830 million euros) to former players affected by CTE to avert further lawsuits.
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