The NFL appears to be caught between a rock and a tough place relating to participant well being and security.
In reporting on just lately unsealed depositions tied to the league’s concussion lawsuit settlement, Entrance Workplace Sports activities stated that the NFL “is in the position of trying to straddle the causation issue” whereas additionally not wanting “to concede that playing football could lead to lifelong cognitive problems.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell questioned the hyperlink between concussions suffered whereas taking part in the game and long-term mind harm.
“I think there’s still a great deal of uncertainty about the causation issue,” he stated throughout his nine-hour deposition on July 13, 2022, which was unsealed on Saturday. “We all know there’s risks with playing football and other sports. There’s risks to walking down the street.”
One of many insurance coverage corporations suing to keep away from overlaying the price of the 2016 settlement — 1000’s of ex-players have been paid $1.3 billion in damages — says the NFL shouldn’t have settled as a result of, they declare, there isn’t a scientific proof of causation between concussions and mind harm, based on FOS.
Whereas causation hasn’t been scientifically confirmed, it’s typically accepted that either single or repeated mild traumatic brain injuries (like concussions), can cause short-term effects that increase the risk of long-term neurodegenerative diseases like CTE or Alzheimer’s.
The league has even acknowledged the rise in concussions throughout the sport.
“The league’s position remains unchanged. Player health and safety is a top priority of the NFL, as the Commissioner testified and has long stated,” the league stated in an announcement to FOS. “The NFL has made and continues to make great strides to try to make the game safer for its players, including through rule changes, equipment advances, and by donating to and supporting critical scientific and medical research.”
Goodell was additionally requested about former gamers who died by suicide and requested that their brains be studied.
“I think players who want to participate in the research necessary to advance science is a positive thing for us,” the commissioner stated. “Obviously, the circumstances are incredibly unfortunate.
“When you have research and brains can be studied … hopefully something good comes from that and in discovery. That’s how science advances. Obviously, as I stated, the unfortunate circumstances of anybody committing suicide are horrific in and of themselves. But there are a lot of factors that probably go into that.”
Goodell additionally took umbrage with the media’s protection of head accidents.
“They misstate, they misrepresent things, and when they do that, they add to a narrative that I think is unfair and unfounded,” he stated.
