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Compromise Reigns at Summit on Concussions
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They were encouraged by the opening remarks of Commissioner Roger Goodell, who told them "medical decisions must always take priority over competitive concerns."
A common criticism by doctors and some players over the years is that the league does not want to know how serious concussions are for fear of diluting the product. Those detractors have criticized NFL studies that seem to indicate there are no long-term effects from concussions.
Tuesday's conference seemed to pacify many of them.
Robert Cantu, the chief of neurosurgery at Emerson Hospital in Massachusetts, said he was encouraged by the rhetoric and thought Goodell seemed sincere in addressing concussion issues. So far the commissioner has required all teams to do baseline testing to measure each player's normal brain function to be compared against a similar test after a concussion. He also has initiated a whistle-blower program, in which players can complain anonymously if they feel they are being pressured to play too soon after a concussion.
Players have treated the whistle-blower program with suspicion, worrying that if it isn't implemented correctly their complaints won't remain anonymous. On Tuesday, Ernie Conwell, a free agent tight end who has played for several teams, said he wonders if players are going to feel comfortable reporting concussions to trainers if they think they will undergo extra testing and might be kept from games.
"Nobody wants to be labeled with a soft head," he said.
This, after Conwell admitted to four "documented concussions" in his career and several other possible concussions. Former Redskin Troy Vincent, who also attended the meeting, said he has had as many as 50 or 60 incidents that might be defined as concussions.
As he said this, Conwell simply smiled and nodded.
"When you ask a player on the sideline if he wants to go back in the game, he says yes," Texans tight end Mark Bruener said. "If you establish guidelines for all 32 teams, you protect the player from himself."
Tuesday was not for drawing up a leaguewide policy determining when a player should be kept from playing. That comes later, and the doctors who have been skeptical of the NFL's concussion policies say this is when the proof of the league's commitment will be measured.
Until then, they left the hotel, boarded buses for the airport and chose to remain optimistic.
