Reuters
Friday, February 2, 2007; 6:57 PM
MIAMI (Reuters) - The NFL's stance on the health of players was under the spotlight on Friday after linebacker Ted Johnson, who helped the New England Patriots to three Super Bowl titles, said that a series of concussions had impaired him.
His comments to the New York Times threw a wet blanket on Super Bowl festivities as the media questioned NFL commissioner Roger Goodell about the league's responsibilities for the health of players.
"I think from our standpoint we want to make sure that our players have the safest possible environment in which to play," Goodell told reporters during his state of league address. "We have spent a great deal of time and energy on the concussion issue.
"I'm very concerned about it."
Johnson, who ended his 10-year career in 2005, said he was also addicted to amphetamines and often unable to remember people's names because of concussions he received in just a few days in August 2002 and in the three years before he quit.
"We will obviously look into this issue, but...our coaches are always looking out for the medical and the well-being of their players," said Goodell. "I think they encourage that, also, and they want that.
"I don't think competitive issues should ever override a medical issue. If there's a medical determination that someone should not participate, they should not participate.
"It is a touchy issue, particularly concussions, when evaluations have to be made about the severity of a concussion."
Concussions have become a source of major concern for heavy contact sports such as hockey and American football as the number of disturbing incidents increase.
Johnson told the Times he decided to go public with his condition after reading about former Philadelphia Eagles player Andre Waters, who committed suicide.
It was later determined that Waters had sustained significant brain damage caused by football-related concussions.
"We have had a Concussion Committee that has been studying this issue and trying to see what it is we can learn about concussions that would be helpful as we go forward," said Goodell. "That's led to new helmet designs, that's led to rule changes, and I think a safer environment for our players.
"I don't see a conflict of interest with trainers. I think they're out there doing a wonderful job in the best interests of the health of those players.
"I think our medical teams are the best in the business.
"I'm sure that they're getting great care, but we want to make sure that we can do more for them."
Friday, February 2, 2007; 6:57 PM
MIAMI (Reuters) - The NFL's stance on the health of players was under the spotlight on Friday after linebacker Ted Johnson, who helped the New England Patriots to three Super Bowl titles, said that a series of concussions had impaired him.
His comments to the New York Times threw a wet blanket on Super Bowl festivities as the media questioned NFL commissioner Roger Goodell about the league's responsibilities for the health of players.
"I think from our standpoint we want to make sure that our players have the safest possible environment in which to play," Goodell told reporters during his state of league address. "We have spent a great deal of time and energy on the concussion issue.
"I'm very concerned about it."
Johnson, who ended his 10-year career in 2005, said he was also addicted to amphetamines and often unable to remember people's names because of concussions he received in just a few days in August 2002 and in the three years before he quit.
"We will obviously look into this issue, but...our coaches are always looking out for the medical and the well-being of their players," said Goodell. "I think they encourage that, also, and they want that.
"I don't think competitive issues should ever override a medical issue. If there's a medical determination that someone should not participate, they should not participate.
"It is a touchy issue, particularly concussions, when evaluations have to be made about the severity of a concussion."
Concussions have become a source of major concern for heavy contact sports such as hockey and American football as the number of disturbing incidents increase.
Johnson told the Times he decided to go public with his condition after reading about former Philadelphia Eagles player Andre Waters, who committed suicide.
It was later determined that Waters had sustained significant brain damage caused by football-related concussions.
"We have had a Concussion Committee that has been studying this issue and trying to see what it is we can learn about concussions that would be helpful as we go forward," said Goodell. "That's led to new helmet designs, that's led to rule changes, and I think a safer environment for our players.
"I don't see a conflict of interest with trainers. I think they're out there doing a wonderful job in the best interests of the health of those players.
"I think our medical teams are the best in the business.
"I'm sure that they're getting great care, but we want to make sure that we can do more for them."
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