For several years now the Nation Football League of America has been fighting against the concussion crisis. The concussion crisis is a multitude of claims against the NFL that they did not properly address and treat concussions seriously enough. The problem that has risen due to these traumatic head blows is a brain disease called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy or CTE (Stromberg 2014). CTE is a long term brain disease that causes a variety of symptoms such as depression, memory loss, and suicidal thoughts (Iron 2014). The NFL after several years of denying they knew anything about the connection between concussions and long term brain damage decided to take action to help prevent the crisis from growing into an even bigger problem (Schwarz 2009). They started a campaign to solve the concussion crisis and provide the most safe and efficient way to play the game of football in the NFL. Through many provisions and adjustment the modern day players have been accustomed to a new style of play and in turn are not as susceptible to the type of injuries that former players dealt. The NFL has given properly addressed the concussion crisis through increased research of CTE, changing the rules and regulations of NFL play, imposing penalties and fines for helmet to helmet impacts, and ultimately have strived to provide their players with the best gear possible.

The concussion crisis truly came to light in 2011 when a former player, David Duerson, took his life and in his final note he left a remark stating he wanted his brain shipped to Boston University to be analyzed after his death (Telis 2014). The University of Boston is the NFL's "brain bank" and is where the NFL conducted research on the consequences of receiving several concussions in one's NFL career (Telis 2014). Although the NFL did at first deny any correlation between concussions and long term brain damage this one instance brought the crisis out of the closet and became a priority to the NFL. As the concussion crisis grew even bigger throughout the next couple of years, many former players filled lawsuits against the NFL. They claimed that due to the NFL's lack of acknowledgement and precaution to the consequences of concussions, that the league was the one to blame. The NFL starting to take action and created a campaign to better protect these players from this terrible life-long condition. 

The first thing they conducted was they funded millions into the University of Boston's neurological facilities in hope to find out exactly what was causing their former players to receive CTE (Schwarz 2009). Their initial goal was to first define CTE brain damage so then in turn they could create a strategy to prevent these head blows to their player. This was a bad time for the NFL and they faced much public criticism on the way their game was played and their initial denial of concussion consequences. Throughout this time the NFL was taken to court by hundreds of former players who accused them of causing their long term brain damage. Although the claims are valid to such an extent the NFL was able to keep its legacy and through interpretation of the law they were not found guilty (Telis 2014). The NFL used an interpretation of a law called the 301 section to help protect themselves in the court room. Ultimately the NFL agreed to pay a 765 million dollar settlement to the former players and this in turn slowed the former player accusations. Although money cannot replace life or the life of someone with CTE, the NFL did not stop in its search for a solution to the concussion crisis. 

Through research the NFL found multiple trends of concussion causing factors in football play. This is when the league decided to change some of the rules and regulations of NFL play. They started by changing their entire concussion policy that stated each club or team was responsible for treatment and diagnosis of concussions for each team. This imposed a problem because the NFL individual teams did not have the proper technology to fully diagnose and treat concussions that happen on a weekly basis (Lazarus 2011). The other problem was a team would intentionally lie about the severity of their player's concussion due to the player's importance and will to win (Lazarus 2011). This imposed a huge threat to the player's health and was one of the first ways the NFL tackled the concussion crisis. In order to prevent this issue the league imposed a set system of how to treat and diagnose a concussion properly. This includes more team doctors available, more advanced neuro technology, and increased rest time for concussion victims. The next step for their search of a safer game was the NFL changed some of the rules that they felt were some of the biggest issues involving traumatic head blows. One major rule change they found was that the most dangerous time to receive a helmet to helmet blow was on special teams. Special teams in the NFL include the kickoff, punt, and extra point. In order to fix the kickoff collisions they moved the line where kicker kick the ball forward in order to have more touchbacks and less kickoff returns. Another thing they did was allowed the punt returner to call a fair catch and ultimately he is not allowed to be hit or move after he catches the punt. Another one of the substantial rule changes they made were a player cannot hit a defenseless player at any portion of their upper body. And finally, a more direct rule they created was that no player could lead a hit with their head and any helmet to helmet contact is immediately a penalty. The NFL created these rules to protect their player and their main goal was to educate players on the risk of concussions and ultimately make them become aware of the consequences before they cause or receive a severe blow to the head.

While the NFL imposes these rules, the full potential risk of receiving a concussion can never be completely ruled out. The mere nature of the game is to be aggressive and use forceful tactics to help your team prevail. The opposition cannot expect a sport of this nature to completely stop the potential risk of long term brain damage. The NFL has tackled this issue through research and minor adjustments they have conducted under experiments and scientific testing (Pellman 2001). The NFL has responded by increasing the consequences of delivering a helmet to helmet blow. This has severely slowed the rate of concussions and caused players to think twice before damaging their colleague's proper brain function. The increased consequences the NFL has instilled is automatic 15 yard penalties for any helmet to helmet hit. This includes an individual player's fine off the field of substantial amounts of money and in some of the worst cases actually not allowing the player to play in one or several of the upcoming games. This rule has greatly impacted the NFL because players realize they can be forced to pay substantial fines and ultimately can hurt their team due to inability to play in upcoming games. 

The NFL over the last century has changed dramatically from the style of play to the gear each player wears. Not even 100 years ago the NFL players were equipped in a completely different set and style of gear. They were all given over and under sized gear, leather helmets, no mouth piece, and pads that would not pass the quality standards of modern day little league football. Throughout the years the NFL has dramatically made revisions and improvement to their gear that they provide to their players. As the concussion crisis came to light around 2011, the NFL started to strive for the safest and most efficient helmet that could provide better protection and mobility (Navarro 2011). The race for the best helmet technology was thus born and each year the NFL helmets seem to be more supportive and protective than helmets in the past. This also includes increased technology that can be monitored throughout every play and every player by one team doctor. The newest  technology of helmets provide helmet sensors embedded inside the helmet that calculate the exact degree of severity each player is hit on each play (DeNisco 2013). This information is then relayed to a sideline doctor who can monitor who got hit and the impact that was received by an individual player. This helmet recognition by the NFL goes way beyond just professional football and is being adopted by every level of football in America. In one instance a high school in Oklahoma has purchased these technologically advanced helmets and have been able to properly monitor their players helmet blows in games and even practice (DeNisco 2013). The NFL have also addressed the concussion crisis and have started a campaign called "Heads up Football" in order to educate football players in youth leagues the consequences and dangers of concussions. Overall the NFL have put much devotion in helmet advancements and ultimately enhanced the gear that modern day players wear that can potentially save them from some of the possible injuries former players were exposed to.

American football is one of the most popular sports to ever be created not just in America but around the entire world. It is a game filled with passion, brother hood, and glory that every fan can interpret and appreciate. While yes the game is dangerous, it has not slowed the success and popularity of the game throughout the years. The modern day NFL is the peak of interest and is a billion dollar business that has its own day of the week. American football can be found throughout many American households and for many is a rite of passage that connections elders with children. Football has become a way of life in America throughout traditions and family gatherings it has had the lasting effect to bring many people together and to feel connected as a team. The NFL realizes the importance of this game and its significance to the world. The league is trying to avoid a factor of the game determine the future of the sports existence and popularity. The opposition must accept that concussions will most likely never be able to be completely avoided. But as the NFL has shown through revisions and proper safety the game can juristically be changed to prevent players from receiving long term brain damage. Every year the NFL is fighting to find research and adjustments to avoid trends that lead to concussions on the field and long term brain damage off the field. 

The significance of the concussion crisis is very substantial and no player should ever have to endure the helplessness of brain disease victims with long term brain damage. A player should be able to play the game they love to the best of their ability and not have to face life changing and even life ending periods of their life. The greatest significance goes to the protection of not the few professionals but the entire population who plays at the youth, high school, and collegiate level. The NFL is currently protecting their player to the best of their ability while at the same time educating the youth how to properly and safely play the game of football (Hunsucker 2014). The future of the concussion crisis is not a completely certain outcome as the league along with the rest of the world realizes the game can never completely rid of concussions. The future to this crisis lies within research and technological advancement that can better educate and protect players while they continue to play. This is not an issue that can be resolved overnight and the issue will never die as long as the NFL provides complete support in concussion prevention and recognition. 

While I do not argue that the NFL's initial response to the connection between concussions and long term brain damage was corrupt and potentially irresponsible, I believe they have proven their acquired stance. And I also accept the fact that a simple settlement from a billion dollar business cannot bring back life nor protect those who have already received brain damage. The opposition must also accept that this is not an issue that solely lies within the NFL. The research on concussions and concussion prevention has exploded in other sports such as professional hockey, soccer, and especially at the collegiate level (Crisco 2013). Concussions are simple a mere factor in all sports and have always been a potential risk to athletes of all kinds. We cannot let the opposition define the NFL as corrupt but rather compromise with the accusations they impose. The NFL is not the sole reliance citizens should have on concussion recognition and the everyday person can impact this cause. If there is increased educating and teaching of proper techniques established at lower level of the game this issue has the potential to decrease inevitably. The days of football where a player is injured and instead of accepting his injury and sitting but rather joining the game must come to a halt. Coaches must not expect their players to perform while being injured to simply prove their toughness or desire to win. If there are enhanced team doctors and physicians, football in America can possibly create a safer and morally correct way of playing the sport. The future of the concussion crisis will hopefully evolve from merely blaming the NFL to rather focusing on an every level devotion to properly treating and diagnosing concussions in their players.       

The concussion crisis is a complex problem the world of sports is currently facing. Through several sports around the world people are trying to keep the games we hold dear to us as safe and risk free as possible. The NFL concussion crisis will continue to be an issue as long as player receive concussions in front of live national television. The one thing the NFL can accomplish is the reduction of player concussions and through research possibly the end to long term concussions such as CTE.  Through proper adjustments and provisions to the style NFL player's play the ultimate goal is full recognition and acknowledgment of concussion consequences. The NFL will continue to conduct research, perfect rules and regulations, increase fines and penalties, and search for the most effective and protective gear to give their players until the very end of the league. The NFL has joined the campaign to eliminate all unnecessary and potential risks to avoid the pain and suffering that former players were unaware of receiving. The NFL continues to strive for the ultimate goal of a concussion free sport and plans to impact the game at every level through proper guidance and recognition for every player who ever straps on a helmet.


