Target: Roger Goodell, Commissioner of NFL
Goal: Strengthen concussion guidelines to prevent destructive health consequences for affected players.
“I started puking…and I had trouble remembering some plays.” National Football League (NFL) player Lane Johnson described the after-effects of a concussion he recently received in this way…and these concerning occurrences may be some of the “lesser” symptoms. After Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered the second of two concussions in the span of a week, he was carried off the field. The latter incident caused intense criticism and led to a revision of the NFL’s concussion policies. But did the league go far enough?
Individuals, especially athletes, who sustain multiple concussions in their lives have a significantly higher risk of developing neurological disorders and brain injuries in the long-term. Football players in particular often exhibit higher rates of Parkinson’s Disease, dementia, and the degenerative brain swelling disorder known as CTE. Despite these decades-long issues, the NFL seemingly only came up with a quick fix to alleviate public scrutiny.
Sign the petition below to demand this organization do more to safeguard the health of the employees that make it millions.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Commissioner Goodell,
It should never have taken a player being stretchered off the field for the NFL to do the bare minimum and revise its policies on ataxia. As too many former players have demonstrated, the legacy of chronic concussions is brutal and devastating to individuals and to families. The Concussion Legacy Foundation has implored you to do better.
Please don’t stop at patchwork solutions. Make the implementation of a comprehensive, wellness-minded concussion policy a top priority. Be an example for the countless youth leagues who will follow your lead.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Pixabay
I guess that if multimillionaires want to “play” a dangerous game, they will need better protection. You have to wonder if it’s all really worth it.