Representatives of all 32 National Football League teams gathered in Washington today, Wednesday, to attend a conference on brain injury and hear its recommendations.
The teams’ medical officials were in town for a medical forum on the diagnosis and treatment of brain injuries that was conducted by John Hopkins University.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/01/AR2010060103682.html
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was among the speakers, reportedly addressing an audience of about 300 people at the forum. http://www.sbnation.com/2010/6/2/1497910/nfl-seminar-concussion-player-safety-roger-goodell
Dr. Richard Ellenbogen and Dr. Hunt Batjer, the new co-chaiman of the NFL’s medical committee on head, neck and spine injuries, were also among those attending the conference.
The confab’s participants were slated to discuss the existing medical evidence on traumatic brain injury and make suggestions about what tack future research on diagnosis and treatmetn should take, according to The Washington Post.
Ellenbogen told The Post that the NFL didn’t have any imput in the conference and don’t know what recommendations will be made.
He did say that he and Batjer will be open to using outside research to help the NFL craft new policies regarding players who get concussions.
The NFL was blasted during Congressional hearings last year because of skepticism league officials expressed about the long-term impact of concussions on players.