A congressional committee criticized the NFL’s research into equipment, particularly helmets, questioning if player safety is indeed being given top priority in an “infected system that needs to be cleaned up.†Reps. Linda Sanchez, D-Calif., and Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., questioned Drs. Richard Ellenbogen and Hunt Batjer, the new co-chairmen of the NFL’s head, neck and spine medical committee. Sanchez and Weiner wondered why Ellenbogen and Batjer do not have stronger roles in gathering data about equipment. Weiner emphasized that because the NFL has a licensing deal with equipment manufacturer Riddell, it creates “a credibility issue that has been compounded over time, and it’s your job to unravel it.†The two NFL neurologists replaced Dr. Ira Casson and Dr. David Viano, who resigned in November, less than a month after Casson and the NFL’s concussion policy were criticized by Congress during a hearing at which commissioner Roger Goodell testified. “Two so discredited people were part of these studies,†Weiner noted, his voice rising. “You have years of an infected system that needs to be cleaned up. The idea is to prevent injuries in the first place and there is a blind spot if you are not involved with helmets.†Source: Associated Press
I am going to say something and try not to sound mean or uncaring in doing so. Why is there a committee on nfl head injuries? I agree that it's a serious issue but I am thinking even if there are 100 cases a year in the nfl then that's probably 5,000 less than in the construction industry. I'm sorry but I think there are more pressing issues that congress should be worrying about and let the NFL get serious about it's own business. Congressmen and women.....please fix the economy and make our country better for the future and work on world peace and let the nfl make it's players safer. OSHA is already in place and the NFL should fall under them and not congress.
