NFL - Sports Rumors

Fri Nov 20, 2009 7:41 am EST

NFL Players Association wants league concussion expert ousted

By Mark J. Miller

After careers of getting knocked around, NFL players are suddenly discovering that this kind of behavior doesn't do wonders for the long-term health of their brains and a lot of reports and studies are backing them up on this.

But Dr. Ira Casson, who is the co-chairman of the league's committee on concussions, is ready to contest anything or anyone that suggests that concussions and the brain trauma that occurs during the natural progression of a professional football game have anything to do with former players having brain-related problems.

So the NFL Players Association is supposedly trying to get Casson ousted from the committee, according to the New York Times. "Our view is that he's a polarizing figure on this issue, and the players certainly don't feel like he can be an impartial party on this subject," George Atallah, the union's assistant executive director for external affairs, told the paper.

Source: New York TimesNew Window

digg delicious
more

49 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. nmolinaro5@...
    1. Posted by nmolinaro5@... Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:22 am EST

    Report Abuse

    Concussions suffered in football has nothing to do with brain related issues later in life. Are you kidding me? How does that even make sense? You see players careers end because of concussions. Brian Westbrook's health is in question right now because of having two concussions this season. Troy Aikman had what, 7 in his career which ultimately lead to his retirement. That guy is an idiot.
  2. Crux
    2. Posted by Crux Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:36 am EST

    Report Abuse

    How can they say concussions don't affect your brain health? Look at Big Ben already.
  3. Max_Powers
    3. Posted by Max_Powers Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:02 am EST

    Report Abuse

    lol @ Crux. . .
  4. brian b
    4. Posted by brian b Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:05 am EST

    Report Abuse

    Honestly if your worried about concussions, you should probably pick up a set of golf clubs or a tennis racquet. Back in the day they use to wear leather helmets. How come every year football gets a little more sissified?
  5. Crux
    5. Posted by Crux Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:22 am EST

    Report Abuse

    C'mon brian, that's unfair. Do you really want all these players to spend their later years acting like Al Davis? lol
    Sup, Max?
  6. Jacks
    6. Posted by Jacks Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:13 am EST

    Report Abuse

    Football has a union?
  7. Rmoss606
    7. Posted by Rmoss606 Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:18 am EST

    Report Abuse

    brian b and look what the players state of health are now. some ended up working 2nd jobs because careers ended prematurely and the avg lifespan o a career was extremely short. guys like jim brown left after not willing to risk harm to themselves like others who are hooked up to machines or gained memory loss. i dare you to play an nfl game now you'd crap ur pants at the so called "sissified game." toughness isnt defined by how many hits you can take before you see your body a decrepit mess. get a life. it's bad enuff ive seen among NCAA players that played
  8. ann
    8. Posted by ann Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:33 am EST

    Report Abuse

    @ brian b
    I disagree, to a point, that the players have been "sissified." Players "back in the day" did wear leather helmets and much much less protective gear, but you have to realize that there were no 260 lb. linebackers back when leather helmets were the only head protection. Not only are the NFL players bigger and stronger than they used to be, but they are all faster as well. Translation...they hit much harder than used to. This is why there are more injuries to every body part in the game, not just concussions. The game has become more dangerous, and that's why more and more rules are being put in place to protect the players. Rules against helmet-to-helmet hits, horse-collar tackles, and certain chop-blocks, are there to protect players and lengthen their careers.
  9. ann
    9. Posted by ann Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:34 am EST

    Report Abuse

    @ brian b
    I disagree, to a point, that the players have been, as you put, sissified. Players back in the day did wear leather helmets and much much less protective gear, but you have to realize that there were no 260 lb. linebackers back when leather helmets were the only head protection. Not only are the NFL players bigger and stronger than they used to be, but they are all faster as well. Translation...they hit much harder than used to. This is why there are more injuries to every body part in the game, not just concussions. The game has become more dangerous, and that is why more and more rules are being put in place to protect the players. Rules against helmet-to-helmet hits, horse-collar tackles, and certain chop-blocks, are there to protect players and lengthen their careers.
  10. ann
    10. Posted by ann Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:34 am EST

    Report Abuse

    @ brian b
    I disagree, to a point, that the players have been, as you put, sissified. Players back in the day did wear leather helmets and much much less protective gear, but you have to realize that there were no 260 lb. linebackers back when leather helmets were the only head protection. Not only are the NFL players bigger and stronger than they used to be, but they are all faster as well. Translation...they hit much harder than used to. This is why there are more injuries to every body part in the game, not just concussions. The game has become more dangerous, and that is why more and more rules are being put in place to protect the players. Rules against helmet-to-helmet hits, horse-collar tackles, and certain chop-blocks, are there to protect players and lengthen their careers.
  11. ann
    11. Posted by ann Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:35 am EST

    Report Abuse

    Sorry about the triple post, I was having computer problems, but I hope you get my point.
  12. dr zaius
    12. Posted by dr zaius Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:50 am EST

    Report Abuse

    Players are coached to use there helmets as weapons.
  13. Doyle
    13. Posted by Doyle Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:59 am EST

    Report Abuse

    Dr Zaius - any coach who would teach a player to use his helmet as a weapon should be severely beaten. Especially for young players. Part of the reason for the helmet-to-helmet rules is to protect the player doing the hitting.
  14. me
    14. Posted by me Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:21 am EST

    Report Abuse

    ...and smoking was considered healthy by doctors 40 to 50 years ago.
  15. CND HOW BOUT THEM COWBOYS!!!
    15. Posted by CND HOW BOUT THEM COWBOYS!!! Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:23 am EST

    Report Abuse

    I hear ya Brian B to a certain extent i agree. I mean one of the best parts of the game is that bone jarring hit, But i like the not leading with your head rule or the no horse collar tackle. Because both rules force the players to be more technical when they take i guy down. Both forms of hitting can lead to a career ending injury so these rules i believe are needed. What i do have a problem with is this codilling of QB's and the small window you have to hit them also this rule not being able to hit a receiver that does not see the hit coming. These rules force defensive players to abandon their instincts and forces you to hestitate for a sec giving the receiver and advantage when the balls in the air. I dont believe these rules help the game at all.
  16. rock
    16. Posted by rock Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:25 am EST

    Report Abuse

    switch to flag football--you bunch of sissies
  17. me
    17. Posted by me Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:29 am EST

    Report Abuse

    ann -
    You are right... no one is dying thus they are pansies...
    In 1905 twenty-six football players died on the field during the season. ahh the good old days!!!!
    http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120502601
  18. c/g
    18. Posted by c/g Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:37 am EST

    Report Abuse

    This ass should have his medical license revoked----IF it's ligit that is!
  19. Crux
    19. Posted by Crux Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:38 am EST

    Report Abuse

    I can't believe Dr. Casson's attitude. Someone oughtta bust him in the head.
  20. Jonas Fong
    20. Posted by Jonas Fong Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:45 am EST

    Report Abuse

    Johnny Unitas eventually lost the use of his throwing hand, probably from all the golf he played over the years.
  21. FairlyHonestBob
    21. Posted by FairlyHonestBob Fri Nov 20, 2009 12:06 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Sounds like a typical 'Company Doc' to me.
  22. ryan w
    22. Posted by ryan w Fri Nov 20, 2009 12:09 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    but what does it all mean?!?!?!?!
  23. Kevin
    23. Posted by Kevin Fri Nov 20, 2009 12:37 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Listen to Steve Young try to be a commentator and then tell me that concussion don't eff up your brain
  24. Anonymous
    24. Posted by Anonymous Fri Nov 20, 2009 12:53 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Sounds like another graduate of Hollywood Upstairs Medical College.
  25. New Amerika
    25. Posted by New Amerika Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:15 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    There are several degrees of concussions, like say burn levels , this is brain bleeding, get it???? It needs to be evaluated at what level and then a determined time to recover, it should be 3 weeks minumuim ( 2 to recove 1 for complete recover) on a concussion because like in Westbrooks case it will just keep reaccuring even with a light hit if he doesn' t COMPLETELELY heal.Long term effects could be very severe, why take a chance with your brain , I think westbrook should retire , love the guy but would like to see him retire with his health.

Sports Rumors

Add to My Yahoo! RSS

Teams

Customize to follow news and rumors on your favorite teams. [ Sign in ]