Date posted online: Wednesday, February 07, 2007
nwi.com
By John Doherty
Times Correspondent
In one episode of "Seinfeld," the character Uncle Leo complains throughout of ringing in his ears and keeps yelling for somebody "to answer that phone." New NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell must know how he feels. Goodell's phone won't stop ringing because another ex-player is complaining of too much ringing in the ears -- and all the other symptoms of concussion.
In Miami on Friday for the commissioner's annual "state of the NFL" speech and news conference -- his first -- Goodell found himself answering questions about Ted Johnson instead of the Super Bowl. Johnson was a linebacker for the Patriots for their three Super Bowl championships. He retired just prior to the 2005 season due to post-concussion syndrome. Since then, the life of the 10-year NFL veteran has been a downward spiral and, on Friday morning, the Boston Globe told his story. Bad timing for Goodell and the NFL.
In the Globe piece, Patriot head coach Bill Belichick was remarkably obliging -- and absurd. Refusing to allow Patriots head athletic trainer Jim Whalen to respond to questions, Belichick acknowledged he had made errors in dealing with Johnson.
However, as to the allegation that he had forced Johnson to practice one day in 2002 when he was still recovering from a concussion, Belichick said, "If Ted felt so strongly that he didn't feel he was ready to practice with us, he should have told me." Nice try. Bill. Johnson already had been ruled out of the practice by Whalen.
That is why teams have a medical staff. They decide whether a player can or can not play, especially when the player's judgment may be impaired -- which is precisely the case when the brain is concussed.
Responding to a question regarding Johnson, Goodell said, "I won't accept the premise that (rushing players back from concussion is) common practice, but it does concern me." He went on to say that league research on concussions "has led to new helmet designs, it's led to rule changes, and I think a safer environment for our players."
Goodell should think again. The one study on the efficacy of the Riddell Revolution helmet was deeply flawed, was done only on high school players, and showed only marginal improvements in concussion frequency and severity. As for the rules, they are erratically enforced and have done nothing to address the new physics of the game, which have resulted in this age of bigger, faster, stronger.
On Dec. 20, in this space, I asked how many more lawsuits the NFL would face after the estate of late Steeler Mike Webster was awarded $1.5M-plus for the brain injuries he'd suffered. Since then, late Eagle Andre Waters' recent suicide has been attributed to his repeated concussions and now Johnson's telling his story.
The answer? I don't think Goodell wants to count that high because the number won't have a nice ring to it.
John Doherty is a certified athletic trainer and licensed physical therapist. This column reflects solely his opinion.
nwi.com
By John Doherty
Times Correspondent
In one episode of "Seinfeld," the character Uncle Leo complains throughout of ringing in his ears and keeps yelling for somebody "to answer that phone." New NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell must know how he feels. Goodell's phone won't stop ringing because another ex-player is complaining of too much ringing in the ears -- and all the other symptoms of concussion.
In Miami on Friday for the commissioner's annual "state of the NFL" speech and news conference -- his first -- Goodell found himself answering questions about Ted Johnson instead of the Super Bowl. Johnson was a linebacker for the Patriots for their three Super Bowl championships. He retired just prior to the 2005 season due to post-concussion syndrome. Since then, the life of the 10-year NFL veteran has been a downward spiral and, on Friday morning, the Boston Globe told his story. Bad timing for Goodell and the NFL.
In the Globe piece, Patriot head coach Bill Belichick was remarkably obliging -- and absurd. Refusing to allow Patriots head athletic trainer Jim Whalen to respond to questions, Belichick acknowledged he had made errors in dealing with Johnson.
However, as to the allegation that he had forced Johnson to practice one day in 2002 when he was still recovering from a concussion, Belichick said, "If Ted felt so strongly that he didn't feel he was ready to practice with us, he should have told me." Nice try. Bill. Johnson already had been ruled out of the practice by Whalen.
That is why teams have a medical staff. They decide whether a player can or can not play, especially when the player's judgment may be impaired -- which is precisely the case when the brain is concussed.
Responding to a question regarding Johnson, Goodell said, "I won't accept the premise that (rushing players back from concussion is) common practice, but it does concern me." He went on to say that league research on concussions "has led to new helmet designs, it's led to rule changes, and I think a safer environment for our players."
Goodell should think again. The one study on the efficacy of the Riddell Revolution helmet was deeply flawed, was done only on high school players, and showed only marginal improvements in concussion frequency and severity. As for the rules, they are erratically enforced and have done nothing to address the new physics of the game, which have resulted in this age of bigger, faster, stronger.
On Dec. 20, in this space, I asked how many more lawsuits the NFL would face after the estate of late Steeler Mike Webster was awarded $1.5M-plus for the brain injuries he'd suffered. Since then, late Eagle Andre Waters' recent suicide has been attributed to his repeated concussions and now Johnson's telling his story.
The answer? I don't think Goodell wants to count that high because the number won't have a nice ring to it.
John Doherty is a certified athletic trainer and licensed physical therapist. This column reflects solely his opinion.
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