Tackling the National Football League's Concussion Crisis
Julia Perreault
Communication Disorders
Honors Student
Class of 2022
Honorable mention, Most Scholarly Impact or Potential 2022 award. Honorable mention, Best Multidisciplinary Research or Collaboration 2022 award.
Abstract
In 2011, a group of retired NFL players concerned by the mounting evidence linking NFL football to a neurodegenerative brain disease took their case to court. After the NFL’s loss, public outcry forced the NFL to reconsider aspects of the game such as rules, medical personnel, and player contracts in an attempt to eliminate concussions from the game and enhance player safety. As of 2014, the NFL was forced to switch from a commercial-focused sport to a player-focused sport in which player safety and health is prioritized. This research aims to determine whether or not these rule changes have been successful in decreasing the amount of concussions in the NFL. It will also explore the implications of these rule changes on the NFL’s commercial success and annual revenue. Through a series of rule changes, contract adjustments, new medical personnel and enhanced concussion protocols, it is the league’s hope that these changes will be effective in concussion prevention for players. As of 2021, concussion rates have substantially decreased, and the league has thrived financially - their revenue remaining unaffected by the new concussion protocol and rules. The data implies that the changes made by the NFL over the past 8 years have been effective in decreasing the amount of concussions received by professional football players, and did not negatively impact the NFL’s revenue.
Tackling the National Football League's Concussion Crisis
Digital Commons & West Campus West Building
In 2011, a group of retired NFL players concerned by the mounting evidence linking NFL football to a neurodegenerative brain disease took their case to court. After the NFL’s loss, public outcry forced the NFL to reconsider aspects of the game such as rules, medical personnel, and player contracts in an attempt to eliminate concussions from the game and enhance player safety. As of 2014, the NFL was forced to switch from a commercial-focused sport to a player-focused sport in which player safety and health is prioritized. This research aims to determine whether or not these rule changes have been successful in decreasing the amount of concussions in the NFL. It will also explore the implications of these rule changes on the NFL’s commercial success and annual revenue. Through a series of rule changes, contract adjustments, new medical personnel and enhanced concussion protocols, it is the league’s hope that these changes will be effective in concussion prevention for players. As of 2021, concussion rates have substantially decreased, and the league has thrived financially - their revenue remaining unaffected by the new concussion protocol and rules. The data implies that the changes made by the NFL over the past 8 years have been effective in decreasing the amount of concussions received by professional football players, and did not negatively impact the NFL’s revenue.
