Timeline of concussions in Professional Football
1994:
MTBI ("Mild Traumatic Brain Injury") Committee is Created
NFL Commissioner Tagliabue belittles concussion issue
"There is no increase in concussions, the number is relatively small… The problem is a journalist issue."
1997:
New "Return to Play" Guidelines are put in place
"The guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology say that repetitive concussions can cause brain damage, and suggest that players be removed from the game if they lose consciousness or exhibit any concussion symptoms 15 minutes post-injury.
'Repeated concussions can cause cumulative brain injury in an individual over months or years,' the report warns".
1999:
Mike Webster attributes dementia to NFL career
Former NFL star "files disability application with NFL, claiming his football career caused him to have dementia."
Hard Evidence for link between Football and Concussions
"The NFL Retirement Board rules that Mike Webster’s head injuries from his years playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs left him 'totally and permanently' disabled as “the result of head injuries he suffered as a football player.”
Webster’s attorney, Bob Fitzsimmons, says the ruling shows that the league should’ve known there was a link between football and brain damage.
'It’s pretty devastating evidence,' he said. “If the NFL takes the position that they didn’t know or weren’t armed with evidence that concussions can cause total disability — permanent disability, permanent brain injury — in 1999, that evidence trumps anything they say.”'
MTBI claims serious brain injuries are rare in the NFL
“After four years of keeping close track of head injuries, head of MTBI claims the numbers have remained the same throughout the league. He said there are about 180 ‘incidents’ per year of mild traumatic brain injury. ‘We’re talking the majority are minor injuries’'
2000:
Academy of Neurology finds that concussions cause neurological problems
MTBI questions lack of Return to Play Guidelines
'“We don’t know whether being knocked out briefly is any more dangerous than having amnesia and not being knocked out,” committee member and neurologist Dr. Mark R. Lovell tells the Times. ”We see people all the time that get knocked out briefly and have no symptoms,” he added. ”Others get elbowed, go back to the bench and say, ‘Where am I?'”'
Dallas Cowboys owner encourages players to ignore symptoms for a win
2002:
Medical examiner discovers brain disease in Mike Webster's brain
This was never before discovered in football players
2003:
Researchers warn against dangers of concussion
“Our study suggests that players with a history of previous concussions are more likely to have future concussive injuries than those with no history; 1 in 15 players with a concussion may have additional concussions in the same playing season; and previous concussions may be associated with slower recovery of neurological function.”
MTBI sends knocked out player back into game
"New York Jets receiver Wayne Chrebet gets knocked out cold during a game against the New York Giants. Dr. Elliot Pellman, the Jets’ team doctor, who is also head of the NFL’s Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Committee, examines him, and sends him back into the game."
2004:
MTBI claims most concussed players recover quickly
'“A total of 92% of concussed players returned to practice in less than seven days … More than one-half of the players returned to play within one day, and symptoms resolved in a short time in the vast majority of cases.”'
CTE found in brain of Justin Strzelczyk
MTBI disputes research on multiple concussions
'“They concluded that there may be an increased risk of repeat concussive injuries and there may be a slower recovery of neurological function after repeat concussions in those have a history of previous concussions. The results of this present NFL study do not support those conclusions.'
The committee also notes that although brain disease from heads hits is seen in other athletes, such as boxers, there’s no sign of such disease in pro football players."
MTBI encourages return to play
'“Players who are concussed and return to the same game have fewer initial signs and symptoms than those removed from play. Return to play does not involve a significant risk of a second injury either in the same game or during the season.'
The committee goes on to argue that its findings might apply to younger athletes.
'Under the right circumstances, specifically with regard to final decision making on return to play being solely at the clinical discretion of a knowledgeable team physician, it might be safe for college/high school football players to be cleared to return to play on the same day as their injury. The authors suggest that, rather than blindly adhering to arbitrary, rigid guidelines, physicians keep an open mind to the possibility that the present analysis of professional football players may have relevance to college and high school players.”'
2005:
Dr. Bennet Omalu publishes findings of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in Mike Webster’s brain
Study ties concussions and dementia
"'the onset of dementia-related syndromes may be initiated by repetitive cerebral concussions in professional football players.”'
2006:
MTBI accuses Omalu of using "fallacious reasoning"
MTBI calls for retraction of Omalu's paper
Omalu publishes second paper on CTE
'“Our first and second cases both had long careers without multiple recorded concussions. Both manifested Major Depressive Disorder after retirement.”'
Andre Waters commits suicide
Omalu finds CTE
2007:
Former Patriot's story brings questions to return to play
"Former New England Patriots player Ted Johnson tells The New York Times that in the wake of his retirement, he suffers from memory loss, an addiction to amphetamines and agoraphobia. He dates his problems to two concussions he suffered within a week in August 2002 and says that Coach Bill Belichick sent him back on the field for regular contact play four days later, against the advice of the team’s trainer. Belicheck later told The Boston Globe that Johnson should have told him if he wasn’t able to practice. 'If Ted felt so strongly that he didn’t feel he was ready to practice with us, he should have told me,' Belichick said."
Goodell voices concern on return to play
Goodell also points to the MTBI committee as proof of the league’s commitment to concussion research and player safety.
Link to concussions and depression
'“… Professional football players with a history of three of more concussions are at a significantly greater risk for having depressive episodes later in life compared with those players with no history of concussion.”'
MTBI criticizes depression research
'“Survey studies are the weakest type of research study — they’re subject to all kinds of error and misinterpretation and miscalculation.”'
NFL hosts Concussion Summit
"Goodell touts the accomplishments of NFL doctors and champions the conference as an example of the league’s continued steps towards a better understanding of the science behind head injury. MTBI chair continues to diss CTE research."
NFL issues concussion pamphlet, claiming research is inconclusive
“Current research with professional athletes has not shown that having more than one or two concussions leads to permanent problems if each injury is managed properly. It is important to understand that there is no magic number for how many concussions is too many. Research is currently underway to determine if there are any long-term effects of concussions in NFL athletes.”'
2009:
"Scientists crash super bowl"
"A team of scientists from the newly formed Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy hold a press conference in Tampa, where the world’s sports media is gathered for the Super Bowl. At the press conference, they announce several new cases of CTE, including in Tom McHale, who died of a drug overdose at age 45, as well as in the brain of an 18-year-old high school student who died 10 days after suffering his fourth concussion."
Dementia Study
"NFL-funded Study of retired players has found that former players are 19 times more likely than the general population to have dementia, Alzheimer’s or other memory-related diseases."
Congressional Hearing
"Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) tells Goodell that the league’s response to the problem reminds her of the tobacco industry’s handling of the link between smoking and health problems in the 1990s. Goodell is asked during his congressional testimony if there is a link between football and brain damage. He responds that he isn’t best suited to answer the question, but that the NFL is committed to continuing to research the problem and is currently taking step to improve player safety."
NFL Spokesman acknowledges long term effects of concussions
NFL Spokesman Greg Aiello tells Alan Schwarz from The New York Times that “it’s quite obvious from the medical research that’s been done that concussions can lead to long-term problems.”
This is the very first time the league admits that concussions had long-term effects.
League announces stricter return to play guidelines
2010:
League warns against dangers of concussions
"The NFL produces a poster to be hung in locker rooms warning that concussions 'may lead to problems with memory and communication, personality changes, as well as depression and the early onset of dementia. Concussions and conditions resulting from repeated brain injury can change your life and your family’s life forever.”'
NFL donates $30 million to research
2011:
NFL changes rules to avoid high speed collisions
Player files lawsuit against NFL
"Former Atlanta Falcons safety Ray Easterling files lawsuit against the NFL. He will later be joined by more than 4,500 other former players who claim that the league engaged in a 'concerted effort of deception and denial' in its handling of the science of concussions and brain trauma."
2012:
NFL sees a 14% increase in concussions
2013:
NFL Players association gives $100 million to ressearch
NFL announces new safety measures
"The NFL announces that an independent neurologist will be placed on the sidelines of every game. The move follows the introduction of concussion assessment protocols designed by the Head, Neck and Spine committee including “a symptom checklist, a limited neurological examination including a cognitive evaluation, and a balance assessment” for players."
Players calls NFL's action a sham
"Hearings take place on whether lawsuits filed by over 1/3 of retired NFL players claiming the league fraudulently concealed football’s dangers to their brains will be litigated. Lawyers for the former players argue the league profited by glorifying the violence of the game and “set up a sham committee” that “spread misinformation” about neurological risks inherent in football."
NFL denies withholding information
NFL agrees to pay
"The NFL agrees to pay $765 million to settle the lawsuit with retired players. As part of the settlement, the league doesn’t admit any wrongdoing. In the days following the settlement, Commissioner Goodell reiterates that “there was no admission of guilt. There was no admission that anything was caused by football.' As of October 2013, lawyers are still determining how the proceeds will be used for former players. ESPN has reported that any retired player who died before 2006 would be excluded from the settlement, and that it’s unclear if there is enough money to cover the players that do qualify."
Problems remain despite new protocol
MTBI ("Mild Traumatic Brain Injury") Committee is Created
NFL Commissioner Tagliabue belittles concussion issue
"There is no increase in concussions, the number is relatively small… The problem is a journalist issue."
1997:
New "Return to Play" Guidelines are put in place
"The guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology say that repetitive concussions can cause brain damage, and suggest that players be removed from the game if they lose consciousness or exhibit any concussion symptoms 15 minutes post-injury.
'Repeated concussions can cause cumulative brain injury in an individual over months or years,' the report warns".
1999:
Mike Webster attributes dementia to NFL career
Former NFL star "files disability application with NFL, claiming his football career caused him to have dementia."
Hard Evidence for link between Football and Concussions
"The NFL Retirement Board rules that Mike Webster’s head injuries from his years playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs left him 'totally and permanently' disabled as “the result of head injuries he suffered as a football player.”
Webster’s attorney, Bob Fitzsimmons, says the ruling shows that the league should’ve known there was a link between football and brain damage.
'It’s pretty devastating evidence,' he said. “If the NFL takes the position that they didn’t know or weren’t armed with evidence that concussions can cause total disability — permanent disability, permanent brain injury — in 1999, that evidence trumps anything they say.”'
MTBI claims serious brain injuries are rare in the NFL
“After four years of keeping close track of head injuries, head of MTBI claims the numbers have remained the same throughout the league. He said there are about 180 ‘incidents’ per year of mild traumatic brain injury. ‘We’re talking the majority are minor injuries’'
2000:
Academy of Neurology finds that concussions cause neurological problems
MTBI questions lack of Return to Play Guidelines
'“We don’t know whether being knocked out briefly is any more dangerous than having amnesia and not being knocked out,” committee member and neurologist Dr. Mark R. Lovell tells the Times. ”We see people all the time that get knocked out briefly and have no symptoms,” he added. ”Others get elbowed, go back to the bench and say, ‘Where am I?'”'
Dallas Cowboys owner encourages players to ignore symptoms for a win
2002:
Medical examiner discovers brain disease in Mike Webster's brain
This was never before discovered in football players
2003:
Researchers warn against dangers of concussion
“Our study suggests that players with a history of previous concussions are more likely to have future concussive injuries than those with no history; 1 in 15 players with a concussion may have additional concussions in the same playing season; and previous concussions may be associated with slower recovery of neurological function.”
MTBI sends knocked out player back into game
"New York Jets receiver Wayne Chrebet gets knocked out cold during a game against the New York Giants. Dr. Elliot Pellman, the Jets’ team doctor, who is also head of the NFL’s Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Committee, examines him, and sends him back into the game."
2004:
MTBI claims most concussed players recover quickly
'“A total of 92% of concussed players returned to practice in less than seven days … More than one-half of the players returned to play within one day, and symptoms resolved in a short time in the vast majority of cases.”'
CTE found in brain of Justin Strzelczyk
MTBI disputes research on multiple concussions
'“They concluded that there may be an increased risk of repeat concussive injuries and there may be a slower recovery of neurological function after repeat concussions in those have a history of previous concussions. The results of this present NFL study do not support those conclusions.'
The committee also notes that although brain disease from heads hits is seen in other athletes, such as boxers, there’s no sign of such disease in pro football players."
MTBI encourages return to play
'“Players who are concussed and return to the same game have fewer initial signs and symptoms than those removed from play. Return to play does not involve a significant risk of a second injury either in the same game or during the season.'
The committee goes on to argue that its findings might apply to younger athletes.
'Under the right circumstances, specifically with regard to final decision making on return to play being solely at the clinical discretion of a knowledgeable team physician, it might be safe for college/high school football players to be cleared to return to play on the same day as their injury. The authors suggest that, rather than blindly adhering to arbitrary, rigid guidelines, physicians keep an open mind to the possibility that the present analysis of professional football players may have relevance to college and high school players.”'
2005:
Dr. Bennet Omalu publishes findings of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in Mike Webster’s brain
Study ties concussions and dementia
"'the onset of dementia-related syndromes may be initiated by repetitive cerebral concussions in professional football players.”'
2006:
MTBI accuses Omalu of using "fallacious reasoning"
MTBI calls for retraction of Omalu's paper
Omalu publishes second paper on CTE
'“Our first and second cases both had long careers without multiple recorded concussions. Both manifested Major Depressive Disorder after retirement.”'
Andre Waters commits suicide
Omalu finds CTE
2007:
Former Patriot's story brings questions to return to play
"Former New England Patriots player Ted Johnson tells The New York Times that in the wake of his retirement, he suffers from memory loss, an addiction to amphetamines and agoraphobia. He dates his problems to two concussions he suffered within a week in August 2002 and says that Coach Bill Belichick sent him back on the field for regular contact play four days later, against the advice of the team’s trainer. Belicheck later told The Boston Globe that Johnson should have told him if he wasn’t able to practice. 'If Ted felt so strongly that he didn’t feel he was ready to practice with us, he should have told me,' Belichick said."
Goodell voices concern on return to play
Goodell also points to the MTBI committee as proof of the league’s commitment to concussion research and player safety.
Link to concussions and depression
'“… Professional football players with a history of three of more concussions are at a significantly greater risk for having depressive episodes later in life compared with those players with no history of concussion.”'
MTBI criticizes depression research
'“Survey studies are the weakest type of research study — they’re subject to all kinds of error and misinterpretation and miscalculation.”'
NFL hosts Concussion Summit
"Goodell touts the accomplishments of NFL doctors and champions the conference as an example of the league’s continued steps towards a better understanding of the science behind head injury. MTBI chair continues to diss CTE research."
NFL issues concussion pamphlet, claiming research is inconclusive
“Current research with professional athletes has not shown that having more than one or two concussions leads to permanent problems if each injury is managed properly. It is important to understand that there is no magic number for how many concussions is too many. Research is currently underway to determine if there are any long-term effects of concussions in NFL athletes.”'
2009:
"Scientists crash super bowl"
"A team of scientists from the newly formed Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy hold a press conference in Tampa, where the world’s sports media is gathered for the Super Bowl. At the press conference, they announce several new cases of CTE, including in Tom McHale, who died of a drug overdose at age 45, as well as in the brain of an 18-year-old high school student who died 10 days after suffering his fourth concussion."
Dementia Study
"NFL-funded Study of retired players has found that former players are 19 times more likely than the general population to have dementia, Alzheimer’s or other memory-related diseases."
Congressional Hearing
"Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) tells Goodell that the league’s response to the problem reminds her of the tobacco industry’s handling of the link between smoking and health problems in the 1990s. Goodell is asked during his congressional testimony if there is a link between football and brain damage. He responds that he isn’t best suited to answer the question, but that the NFL is committed to continuing to research the problem and is currently taking step to improve player safety."
NFL Spokesman acknowledges long term effects of concussions
NFL Spokesman Greg Aiello tells Alan Schwarz from The New York Times that “it’s quite obvious from the medical research that’s been done that concussions can lead to long-term problems.”
This is the very first time the league admits that concussions had long-term effects.
League announces stricter return to play guidelines
2010:
League warns against dangers of concussions
"The NFL produces a poster to be hung in locker rooms warning that concussions 'may lead to problems with memory and communication, personality changes, as well as depression and the early onset of dementia. Concussions and conditions resulting from repeated brain injury can change your life and your family’s life forever.”'
NFL donates $30 million to research
2011:
NFL changes rules to avoid high speed collisions
Player files lawsuit against NFL
"Former Atlanta Falcons safety Ray Easterling files lawsuit against the NFL. He will later be joined by more than 4,500 other former players who claim that the league engaged in a 'concerted effort of deception and denial' in its handling of the science of concussions and brain trauma."
2012:
NFL sees a 14% increase in concussions
2013:
NFL Players association gives $100 million to ressearch
NFL announces new safety measures
"The NFL announces that an independent neurologist will be placed on the sidelines of every game. The move follows the introduction of concussion assessment protocols designed by the Head, Neck and Spine committee including “a symptom checklist, a limited neurological examination including a cognitive evaluation, and a balance assessment” for players."
Players calls NFL's action a sham
"Hearings take place on whether lawsuits filed by over 1/3 of retired NFL players claiming the league fraudulently concealed football’s dangers to their brains will be litigated. Lawyers for the former players argue the league profited by glorifying the violence of the game and “set up a sham committee” that “spread misinformation” about neurological risks inherent in football."
NFL denies withholding information
NFL agrees to pay
"The NFL agrees to pay $765 million to settle the lawsuit with retired players. As part of the settlement, the league doesn’t admit any wrongdoing. In the days following the settlement, Commissioner Goodell reiterates that “there was no admission of guilt. There was no admission that anything was caused by football.' As of October 2013, lawyers are still determining how the proceeds will be used for former players. ESPN has reported that any retired player who died before 2006 would be excluded from the settlement, and that it’s unclear if there is enough money to cover the players that do qualify."
Problems remain despite new protocol