MinnesotaCenterforInvestigative

Reporting
Report:ConcussionsandSports

ChristopherKreibich,GretaGage,GretchenMcNaughton,SeokMinChoiand
TaylorDanz

MessageClarification:

WeareajournalismteamfromtheMinnesotaCenterforInvestigativeReporting,lookingfora
newandinterestingangleaboutconcussionsrelatedtosports.Wearetofindanangle,aswellasidentify
amagazinethatwecouldpitchourfeatureto.Wethenneedtoexplorewhythemagazinewouldbea
goodfitforthestory,intermsofcontent,audience,andinterest.

Questions:
1. Shouldwelookintoaspecificsportormultiplesports?
2. DoyouwantustofocusonMinnesotasportsteamsorfocusmoreonanationalscale?
3. Shouldwefocusonaspecificagegrouporskilllevel?
4. Whodowewantthisarticletoappealto?
5. Whyisthisissueimportantnow?

IdeaBrainstorming:

1. Thefutureoffootball:Willtherulesofthegamechangebasedonnewinformationon
concussions?Willthegamebesafer,orwillitevenbethesamegame?

a. Boren,Cindy."WhattheNFLsAdmissionofaBrainDiseaseLinkMeansfortheFuture
ofFootball."
WashingtonPost
.TheWashingtonPost,15Mar.2016.Web.29Apr.2016.
b. Brock,Glenn."NFLPlayerRetiredAtAge24IsThisANewTrendForTheLeague?"
TheInquisitrNews
.TheInquisitrNews,17Mar.2015.Web.29Apr.2016.
c. Wheelan,Charles."FootballHasNoFuture."
USNews.
U.S.News&WorldReport,18
Aug.2015.Web.29Apr.2016.

2. HastheNFLcovereduptherateofconcussionsovertheyears,andwhohasthisnegatively
affected.

a. Ezell,Lauren.
Timeline:TheNFLsconcussioncrisis
.FRONTLINE,8Oct.2013.Web.
29Apr.2016.
b. Mindock,Clark,AmyNordrum,andThomasBarrabi.NFLConcussionCoverup:Hall
ofFamerJuniorSeausFamilyCanTSpeakatInductionAmidAthleteBrainDamage
ControversyConnectedtoHisSuicide.
National
24July2015.Web.29Apr.2016.
c. Natta,DonVan,Jr."Book:NFLCrusadedagainstScience."
ESPN
.ESPNInternet
Ventures,2Oct.2013.Web.29Apr.2016.

3. Howtoplaysportssafely,withoutgettingaconcussiongearedtowardmiddleschoolagedkids.

a. Cantu,RobertC.ConcussionPreventionforChildAthletesRobertC.Cantu.
Sports
25Aug.2014.Web.29Apr.2016.
b. IsfootballsafeforYoungPlayers?NPR.org,7June2012.Web.29Apr.2016

4. Whatkindofresourcesdoschoolshaveforconcussionpreventiongearedtowardparents.
Shouldschoolsrequireparentsandstudentstopassasportssafetycourse?

a. Cooper,Larry."EnsuringYouthSportsSafetyontheHighSchoolPlayingField."
The
HuffingtonPost
.TheHuffingtonPost.com,4Feb.2015.Web.29Apr.2016.
b. "HighSchoolAthleticTrainersKeyinConcussionManagement."
AthleticBusiness
.
AthleticBusiness,Feb.2014.Web.29Apr.2016.
c. Murphy,Chris."ConcussionsinFocusforSchoolsEvenWhenHighSchoolLeagues..."
INFORUM
.INFORUMandForumCommunicationsCompany,17Apr.2016.Web.29
Apr.2016.
d. Schmidt,Elaine."Parents,CoachesandDoctorsLearnWaystoPreventConcussion
amongYoungFootballPlayers."
UCLANewsroom.
UCLA,9July2014.Web.29Apr.
2016.

StatementofSelectedTopicFocus:
Wewishtoexaminethefutureoffootball,relatedtoconcussionprevention.Wewilllookata
numberofformerfootballplayers,howconcussionsintheleagueareaffectinghighschoolsportsrules,
andhowthisaffectsenrollmentinhighschoolsports.Wewillalsolookathowthechangesinhighschool
ruleswillultimatelyaffecttheNFLdraftpicksandleaguestandards.Weareinterestedinfocusingonthis
topicduetotherecentadmissionoftheNFLthatfootballandconcussionsarecloselylinked.

Thearticle,NFLPlayerRetiredAtAge24IsThisANewTrendFortheLeague?discussesthe
possibilitythatthislinktofootballandconcussionsiscausinganincreasingamountofyoungplayersto
retireearly.ThatarticlediscusseslinebackerChrisBorland,whoattheageof24,retiredfromfootball
immediatelyduetoagrowingconcernoverlongtermhealthissuessustainedbyNFLplayers.Borland
statedIjustwanttolivealonghealthylife,andIdontwanttohaveanyneurologicaldiseasesordie
youngerthanIwouldotherwise.

InanarticlebytheWashingtonPost,titledWhattheNFLsadmissionofabraindiseaselink
meansforthefutureoffootball,theauthorexplorestherecentadmissionbytheNFLthatconcussionsdo
havelongtermconsequencesforplayers.Asabilliondollarayearindustry,theNFLhasavested
positioninkeepingplayersonthefieldandintopphysicalcondition.Thisadmissionisahugestep
towardincreasinggoodhealthfortheseathletes.Insteadofsimplywaitingtoletthesciencegowhere
thesciencegoes,astheyhavedoneinthepast,theNFLwillneedtobegintotakestepstorectifythe
damagethathasbeendone,bothtoformerprofessionalplayersandhighschoolandcollegiatelevel
playersthathavegrownupinaworldwherethelongtermdamagehasntbeentalkedabout.According
tothesamearticle,Longterm,thegamewillevolve.Already,theNFLstressesthatthereisagreater
emphasis,forinstance,onteachingkidssafetacklingtechniquesanddoinglesstacklingduring
practices

Fromtheinformationfoundinthesearticles,itisclearthegameoffootballhasaseriousproblem
withsafety.Itisincreasinglyimportantforthepublictobeinformedoftheseissuesinordertoopentheir
eyestothetruth,andmakeinformeddecisionsonwhethertheyshouldallowtheirchildrentoparticipate
infootball.Wewanttoinvestigatewhatthefutureoffootballmaylooklike,astheresultofthesesafety
concerns.

IdentifyMagazine:

1. TIME
:

a. MissionStatement:

Theworldsmosttrustedsourcefornews,
TIME
capturesthe
eventsthatshapeourlivesthroughexceptionalreporting,writingandphotography.
b. Demographics:
Theprintaudiencereaches16.3millionUSreaders.Theaudienceis
52%maleand48%female.Amajorityoftheaudienceiscollegeeducated(72.5%)
meaningTIMEreachesahighlyeducatedaudienceinterestedinavarietyoftopics
rangingfrompoliticstopopculture.
c. Reasoning:
InDecember2016,theyarepublishingadoubleissuecalled2017Year
Ahead.Inthepast,(mostrecently2016)TIMEpublishedaSuperBowlPreviewissue
whichcouldbeanothergoodplaceforourstory.Ourarticle,whichfocusesonthefuture
offootball,wouldworkwellwiththattopicfocus.Thisisaverycredible,American
magazinethatwouldprovideshockinginformationonthebelovedAmericansportof
football.
TIME
isculturallyrelevantbecausemanylookintowhat
TIME
isreportingon
andtheyinfluenceeverydayculturaldiscourse.Asaweeklypublication,
TIME
manages
tostayrelevantinaworldthatsalwayslookingforthenext,newinformation.
d. Bibliography:

Inc,Time.
2016edit/franchisecalendar
.18Dec.2015.Web.29Apr.2016.
Inc,Time.
TIMEmediakit
.18Dec.2015.Web.29Apr.2016.
Inc,Time.
TIME
.TimeInc.comOfficialWebsite,11Apr.2016.Web.29Apr.2016.

2.
Parents
:

a. MissionStatement:
Parentshelpsbusymomsnavigatetheunchartedwatersof
parenthoodwithsmartadvice,asenseofhumorandafeelingofcommunitybornof
sharedexperiences.Withanapproachableattitudeandlotsofrelatablevoices,weinform,
entertainandremindmomtonurtureherselfevenasshenurturesherchildren.Our
trustedadvicehelpsmomsfeelconfidentastheymakedecisionsabouthealth,discipline,
nutritionandmore.Weanswertheirquestions,advocatefortheircausesandcelebratethe
funofraisinghealthy,happykids.
b. Demographics:
TheOctoberissueof
Parents
willhaveasectionunderkidshealth,
lookingatthefutureofchildrenshealth.
Averagereader:Female,36,withatleastone
childaround7yearsold.Mostofthesewomenhaveattendedcollege,butnotnecessarily
graduated,andjustoverhalf(56%)haveanaveragehouseholdincomeover$50,000per
year.
c. Reasoning:
Ourarticle,focusingonthefutureoffootball,wouldworkwellwiththis
issuebecausethefutureoftheNFLandtheirrulesconcerningconcussionswillhavea
directimpactonthesportforyoungerchildreninpeeweesettingsaswellasschool
settings.Parents,andespeciallymomswhostereotypicallyworrymoreaboutchildrens
health,shouldbeinformedontheseissuesandwhattheconsequencesofconcussionsfor
theirchildrencouldbe.Additionally,thedemographicsofthismagazineconcerning
householdincomes,wouldworkwellwithourfocus,asparentswithmoremoneyare
typicallyabletoinvestmoremoneyandtimeintheirchildrensextracurricularactivities,
includingsports.
d. Bibliography:

"MissionStatement."
SpringerReference
(n.d.):n.pag.
Parents.com
.Parents.Web.29Apr.2016.

3.

SportingNews
:

a.
MissionStatement:
SportingNewsisanationalsportsmediacompanyproviding
insightfulnononsensemultichannelcontent.Throughourdistinctiveanddynamic
coverageweofferunparalleledsportssolutionstoover60millionfansonamonthly
basis.Ouradvertisersareintegratedinanative,organicwaythatbenefitsbothour
productofferingandtheadvertisersobjective.Welooktoenhanceouraudience'slove
ofsportsandvaluetotheirconversationsinameaningful,uniqueway.
b. Demographics:
TheJulyissueof
SportingNews
wouldbeagoodplaceforthisstory
becauseitisrightbeforetheNFLseasonpreviewandduringaslowtimeforthe
magazine.Themagazinecoversbaseball,basketball,andfootball,soonlyoneofthe
threesportswouldcurrentlybeinseason.Averagereader:Male,41,withamedian
incomeofaround$60,000.89%ofthereadersaremale.
c. Reasoning:
Ourarticle,focusingonthefutureoffootballwouldworkwellfortheJuly
issuebecauseitisduringadeadtimeforthemagazine.Also,amajorityofreadersare
gettingexcitedforthestartoftheNFLandcollegefootballseasonsandwecanlookat
howthefuturewillbeaffected.Theaveragereaderislikelyafatherwithoneortwokids,
whoplaysports.Thiswaywecaninformparentsontheissueandiftheywilllettheir
childrenplayfootballinthefuture.Themedianincomeforthereadersofthismagazine
couldaffordhavingtheirkidplayamiddleschoolorhighschoolsportaswell.
d. Bibliography:
"SportingNews|PerformGroup."
PerformGroup
.PerformGroup,2016.Web.29Apr.2016.

StatementofSelectedMagazine:
Outofallthemagazines,wechosetopitchourstoryto
TIME.
Theiraudienceisthemostequally
distributedintermsofmaletofemaledemographics.Thismagazineisinternationallyrecognizedand
wouldallowforthisstorytoreachthewidestaudienceandcreateanationaldiscussion.Insteadofhaving
tofocusononeaspectofthisstory,suchashowitrelatestoparentingorprofessionalsportsspecifically,
wewillbeabletoexaminemanyaspectsofhowthisissuewillaffectAmericancultureasawhole.Their
issueonthefutureof2017specificallygivesusaplatforminwhichwecanexaminetheimmediatefuture
ofAmericastruefavoritepastime.

FindInformation:

JournalisticSources:
Article:
Book:NFLcrusadedagainstscience

Citation:
VanNatta,Don.
Book:NFLdeniedconcussionlinktofootball
.ESPN.com,2

Oct.2013.Web.29Apr.2016.

Howwefoundthisinformation:
WesearchedNFLconcussioncoverupongoogleandthis
articlefromESPNcameup.
Explanation/Relevantinformation:
Thisisarelevantarticlebecauseitdiscussesthebook
LeagueofDenial:TheNFL,ConcussionsandtheBattleforTruth
.Thebookreports,

theNFL
useditspowerandresourcestodiscreditindependentscientistsandtheirworkthattheleague
citedresearchdatathatminimizedthedangersofconcussionswhileemphasizingtheleague's
ownflawedresearchandthatleagueexecutivesemployedanaggressivepublicrelationsstrategy
designedtokeepthepublicunawareofwhatleagueexecutivesreallyknewabouttheeffectsof
playingthegame.Thisarticleprovidesanoverviewoftheinformationthebookprovides,which
wouldbeusefultounderstandbeforeinterviewingtheauthorsofthebook.
Interviewee:
MarkFainaruWadaandSteveFainaru
ContactInfo:

markfwespn@gmail.com

Credentials:
FainaruWadahasbeenaninvestigativereporterforESPNsinceNovember2007.
HeworkedwithhisbrotherSteveFainaruonthebook
LeagueofDenial
,whichwaspublishedin
2013abouttraumaticbraininjuriesandtheNFL.Thebookwasalsothemaintopicofthe

documentarypublishedby
Frontline
andbroadcastedonPBS.Thedocumentaryreceiveda
PeabodyAwardin2013.
Questions:
1)
WhatdoyouthinkyourfindingswilldotochangeNFLprotocolsandrulesinthe
future?
2)
LeagueofDenial
hassharpcriticismtowardsRogerGoodell,whatdoesheneedtodo
toensurethesafetyofNFLplayerstopreventfutureconcussions?

3)
WhatwillhappentotheNFLiflittleornochangeismadetosafetyprecautions?

PublicsectorInstitutions:
Article:
ImplementingReturntoPlay:LearningfromtheExperiencesofEarlyImplementers
Citation:
NationalCenterForInjuryPreventionAndControl.
ImplementingReturntoPlay:
LearningfromtheExperiencesofEarlyImplementers
(n.d.):n.pag.
Cdc.gov
.Departmentof
HealthandHumanServices.Web.29Apr.2016.

Howwefoundthisinformation:
WesearchedtheCDCwebsitewiththesearchtermfootball
andthiswasoneofthetoptenresults.
Explanation/Relevantinformation:
Thisinformationisrelevantbecauseitexaminestwo
states,WashingtonandMassachusetts,whowereearlyadoptersofreturntoplaylaws,which

addressconcussionmanagementinyouthsports.Thearticlegoesontoexplorethesuccessesof
theselawsandpossibleimprovementsforstatesthatareconsideringsuchlegislation.Itgoesinto
manydifferentfacetsoftheimplementationoftheselaws,includinglookingattheperspectives
ofdifferentstakeholders,howtheimplementationrequirementsdifferinthetwostates,training
requirementsforstakeholdersandmedicalclearancerequirements.Themainpartsofthearticle
thatwefoundrelevanttoourtaskwerecalledlessonslearned.Thesesidebarsshowed,through
interviewsandsurveys,howthenewrequirementsworkedoutineachstateandwhatresistance
therewas,aswellaswhatcertainstakeholdersthoughtcouldhavebeendonebetter.Anexample
oftheselessonslearnedisthataccesstomedicalcaremayvaryfromchildtochild,and
appropriatehealthcarewasnotalwaysavailableinsomeinstances.Thisisimportantforustosee
howyouthsportsprograms,especiallyfootball,arealreadyadaptingduetohighinjuryrates,and
givesaglimpseintowhatprogramsmaybesuccessfulinthefutureinotherstates.
Interviewee:
ScottSmith
ContactInfo:(
6512015806)
LinkedInprofile:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottsmith3a16414
Credentials:
HeisthemediarelationsandcommunicationsspecialistfortheMinnesota
DepartmentofHealth.Someofthetopicareasheworkswithare
healthcarereform,health
policy,communityandfamilyhealth,statewidehealthimprovement,healthstatistics,andhealth
informationtechnology.Hewasstatedasthepersontocontactwithquestionsrelatedtothe
MinnesotaDepartmentofHealthnewsreleasetitledConcussionscontinueashealthconcernin
schoolsports.TheMinnesotaDepartmentofHealth,inpartnershipwiththeInstituteforAthletic
Medicine,found2,974sportsrelatedconcussionsor22perschooloccurredamonghigh
schoolathletesstatewideduringthe20132014schoolyear.Hewouldbeimportanttointerview
forinsighttoseeifMinnesotaisreadytoimplementreturntoplaylawsintermsofmedicalcare
andaccesstoknowledgeablemedicalproviders.Hewouldprovidereliableinformationastohow
theMinnesotaDepartmentofHealthiscombattingthisissueofconcussionsinschoolsports.
Questions:
1)
WhatwouldbethefirststepstoimplementreturntoplaylawsforMinnesota?
2)
HowhastheMinnesotaDepartmentofHealthworkedwithschoolstodecreasethe
amountofconcussionsforstudentathletes?
3)
Whatwouldyouliketoseechangedabouthowathletes,parents,teachers,coaches,
andhealthcareprovidersareinformedaboutthedangersofconcussionsinsports?

PrivatesectorInstitutionsForProfit:
Article:
RiddellandTGenTeamUpWithArizonaStateUniversitysFootballProgramTo
FurtherGeneticResearchAthleteConcussionDetectionAndTreatment

Citation:
"RiddellandTGenTeamUpwithArizonaStateUniversity'sFootballProgramto
FurtherGeneticResearchintoAthleteConcussionDetectionandTreatment."
Newsroom
.N.p.,25
Aug.2014.Web.29Apr.2016.

Howwefoundthisinformation:
WesearchedRiddellstudiesonconcussions2016ongoogle
anditdirectedustoRiddellssite.Therewefoundstudiesonwhatthecompanyisdoingfor
concussionissues.
Explanation/Relevantinformation:
ThisarticleisrelevantbecauseitexplainshowRiddelland
ArizonaStatearelookingtoimprovehelmetsandreducethenumbersofconcussions.Riddellisa
majorhelmetproviderfortheNFL.Thestudywasdonetodetectwhethertheeffectsof
subconcussivehitsareidentifiable.Subconcussivehitsarehitsthatarebelowthethresholdof
causingaconcussion.IthelpsRiddellandtherestofthesportsworldidentifywhichconcussions
arethemostpreventable.ThishelpsRiddelldeterminehowtomodifytheirhelmetsinthefuture.
ThisarticleprovidesanoverviewofwhatRiddellhasdonetoimproveandreduceconcussionsin
sports.ItalsoshowsthecommitmentfromRiddellandArizonaStatetoplayersafetyinfootball.
Interviewee:
DavidRogers
ContactInfo:
ForGentex,allmediainquiriesgothoughAlexandraBrax,
(
abrax@gentexcorp.com
).SheshouldbeabletoputusintouchwithDavidRogers,andgetus
anyotherinformationwewouldneedtoknowaboutthecompany.
Credentials:
VicePresidentofConceptDevelopmentatGentex,acompanythatmanufactures
helmetsfortheAirForce,andownscompaniesthatdesignproductsusedforpersonalprotection
likefootballhelmetsandspecialopshelmets.Hewouldhavevaluableinsightintothesafetyof
differenttypesofhelmetsandtheeffectthataninadequatehelmetwouldhaveforanindividual.
Fromhisexperience,hewouldhaveknowledgeoftheinsandoutsofhelmetmanufacturingand
beabletocommentonwhatasafehelmetconsistsof.
Questions:
1) DoyouthinkthehelmetscurrentlyusedintheNFLaresafeenoughforplayerstoavoid
injuryweekinandweekout?Why?
2) Whatareyourrecommendationsfordevelopingsaferhelmetsforplayers?
3) Doyouthinkimproperhelmetsarethebiggestcauseofconcussions?Why?
PrivatesectorInstitutionsNonProfit:
Article:
2015NFLHealthandSafetyReport
Citation:
2015NFLHealthandSafetyReport.
Rep.NewYorkCity:NationalFootballLeague,
2015.Print.

Howwefoundthisinformation:
WesearchedNFLsafetyreportongoogleanditwasthefirst
articletocomeup.

Explanation/Relevantinformation:
ThisisrelevantbecausetheNFLpoststheirsafetyreport
everyyearandwecanseewhatinjuriesorprotocolstheyarefocusingonfortheupcomingyear.
Onepageofthereportcontainsinformationonthehead,neckandspinecommittee.Thepage
describeswhattheNFLhasdonetoimproveplayersafetyandtheawarenessofconcussionsby
medicalstaffs.Therearestatisticsonconcussionnumbersperseasonandhowmany
helmettohelmethitscauseconcussionsperyear.Oneofthelastpagesinthereportcontains
informationonwhattheNFLisdoingtopromotesafetyattheyouthlevelinhighschools.
Interviewee:
EricSugarman
ContactInfo:
PhoneNumber:(952)8286523
Credentials:
20seasonsasheadathletictraineroftheMinnesotaVikings.Hehasabachelors
degreeinhealthandphysicaleducationwithanemphasisinathletictrainingfromWestChester
University.HealsoearnedhismastersdegreeinsportsmanagementattheUniversityof
Richmond.HewasnamedtheNFLsMostIrreplaceableAthleticTrainerbyESPNMagazine
in2009.HewasawardedtheAthleticTrainerGrantprogramfromtheNFLtoensureevery
MinneapolisandSt.Paulpublichighschoolhadanathletictrainerfortheirteams.
Questions:
1) HowhastheAthleticTrainerGrantprogramchangedthesafetyofhighschoolfootball?
2) WhatelsedoyouthinktheNFLneedstochangeinordertopreventfutureconcussionsin
theleague?
3) DoyouthinkthatNFLathletictrainersbreaktheruleswhenitcomestoreporting
concussions,inordertohelptheiremployer?Why?

ScholarlySources:
Article:
TheEpidemiologyofConcussionsAmongUnitedStatesHighSchoolAthletesin20
Sports
Citation:
Marar,Mallika,NatalieM.McIlVain,SarahK.Fields,andDawnComstock."The
EpidemiologyofConcussionsAmongUnitedStatesHighSchoolAthletesin20Sports."
The
AmericanJournalofSportsMedicine
40.4(2012):n.pag.
TheAmericanJournalofSports
Medicine
.27Jan.2012.Web.29Apr.2016.

Howwefoundthisinformation:
WeoriginallysearchedforCDCfootballconcussionstudy,
butmostoftheinformationfoundwasbackgroundinformationandpreventioninformationfor
athletes,parents,andcoaches.BackontheGooglesearchpagetherewasalinktoastudytitled
TheEpidemiologyofSportRelatedConcussion,butweconcludedthedatawasnotcurrent
enough(mostrecentdatainthisstudywasfrom2007).Therewereotherrecommendedarticles
onthesidebarofthePubMed.govwebpageandthisledustothearticlefoundinTheAmerican
JournalofSportsMedicine.

10

Explanation/Relevantinformation:
Thisisrelevantbecausepartofthefocusofourarticlewill
betheimpactconcussionsinprofessionalsports,specificallytheNFL,willhaveonyoung
athletessigningupforsportsastheyarethefutureofthesport.Thisarticlesharesconcussion
ratesforcontactsports(e.g.football,hockey,lacrosse)andnoncontactsports(e.g.swimming,
volleyball,trackandfield)amonghighschoolathletes.Theresearchersfoundthatfootballhad
thehighestrateofconcussionsandwhichtypesofplaystendtoresultinthemostconcussions
(thesamemethodswereusedwhenanalyzingothersports).Readersaremorelikelytofeela
personalconnectiontoinformationfromthissourcebecausemanymayhavechildrenthatareof
agetosignupforsports,orarealreadyparticipatingonsportsteams.
Interviewee:
AllenSills,MD
ContactInfo:
(Address)VanderbiltUniversityDepartmentofNeurologicalSurgery,2009
MalloryLane,Suite230,Franklin,TN37067.(Phone)
615)7782265,(Fax)(615)7782266
Credentials:
CoDirectorofTheVanderbiltSportsConcussionCenter&VanderbiltSports
ConcussionResearch.Specializesinbraintumors,sportsneurosurgery,andgeneralneurosurgery.
HereceivedhisMDfromJohnsHopkinsUniversitySchoolofMedicinein1990andhassince
publishedmanystudies,contributedtomanybooksandlecturesregardingneurologicalproblems
relatedtosportsinjuries,includingconcussions.HeisalsotheConsultingTeamNeurosurgeon
forVanderbiltsathleticteams,NashvillePredatorsNHLteam,MississippiStateUniversity
AthleticTeamsandtheU.S.OlympicEquestrianTeams.
Questions:
1) Whateffectshaveyouseenonathleteswhosuffermultipleconcussions?Dotheeffects
getworsethemoretimesapersonsuffersfromaconcussion?
2) Whathappenstothebrainwhensomeonesuffersfromaconcussion?
3) Haveanyoftheathletesyouworkwithexpressedconcernovercontinuingtheirsportdue
toconcernoverthedangersofconcussions?

InformalSources:
Article:
ThurmanThomasGoingtoBatforBetterConcussionProtocols
Citation:
Warren,Matt."ThurmanThomasGoingtoBatforBetterConcussionProtocols."
BuffaloRumblings
.VoxMedia,Inc.,26Apr.2016.Web.29Apr.2016.

Howwefoundthisinformation:
WetypedinconcussiononTwitterandscrolleddownonthe
tophitspage.OneofthehitswasanESPNarticleonThurmanThomas.Wethentypedin
ThurmanThomasconcussioningoogleandsawthetophitwasthearticlefromthesportsfan
blogBuffaloRumblings.

11

Explanation/Relevantinformation:
ThurmanThomashada13yearcareerintheNFLand
wasacelebratedathletethroughouthisentirefootballcareer(extendingbacktohishighschool
andcollegeyearsofplayingthesport).AfterThurmanThomaswasinductedintotheNFLHallof
FamehehadanMRIwherethedoctortoldhimthatthefrontallobeofhisbrainwas
similarto
someonewhohasfallenoffthetopofahouse,ontothefrontofhishead,orgoingthrougha
windshieldofacarseveraltimes...decentforanNFLfootballplayerwhohadjustplayedinthe
NationalFootballLeaguefor13years.Notgreat,butdecent."Withdescriptionslikethat
,he
wouldbeabletoprovideinformationabouthowhisheadinjuriesweretreatedwhilehewasa
playerandwhatwasdonetopreventsuchinjuriesorlessenthedamageoftheinjuriesreceived.
HerecentlyspokeataconcussionconferenceinCanadadescribingsomeofhisexperiencesof
livingwithneurologicalissuesfromconcussions.Theconferencewasthefirsttimehehas
spokenpubliclyabouthisconcussionssoheisalreadyinthenewsfortalkingabouthisissues
makinghimarelevantpersontotalkto.
Interviewee:
ThurmanThomas
ContactInfo:
(Twitter)@thurmanthomas,(Facebook)ThurmanThomas,Contactformon
personalwebsite(
http://thurmanthomas.com/contact.html
)
Credentials:
FormerBuffaloBillsNFLplayerintheNFLHallofFamewhosuffersfrom
neurologicalproblemsbroughtonbyhiscareerintheNFL,concussions,andage.Herecently
gaveaspeechataconcussionsummittalkingabouthisexperiencesandissueslivingwith
traumaticbraininjury.
Questions:
1) Couldyoudescribesomeofyourconcussionsymptoms?
2) DoyoubelievetheNFLdoinganythingtoprotectplayersfromconcussionswhenyou
wereplayingintheleague?
3) Doyouthinksomeoneshouldbeheldresponsibleforthecurrentepidemicofformerand
currentplayerssufferingfromtheimpactofconcussions?
4) Asaformerplayer,whatdoyouthinktheNFLshouldbedoingtobetterprotectplayers
fromheadinjuries?

Synthesis:
1. ThearticletitledBook:NFLcrusadedagainstscience

talksaboutanewbook
Leagueof
Denial:TheNFL,ConcussionsandtheBattleforTruth
whichreportsonthelinkbetween
footballandbraindamage.OneoftheimportantfindingsinthebookwasfromDr.AnneMcKee,
aleadingexpertonfootballandbraindamage.Thearticlestates,
shebelievestheincidencesof
neurodegenerativediseaseamongNFLplayerswillprovetobe"shockinglyhigh"andthat"most
NFLplayersaregoingtogetthis.Shehasstudied54brainsofdeceasedNFLplayers,andonly

12

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

twodidnothaveCTE.Thearticlecitesherassaying,"I'mreallywonderingwherethisstops...I'm
reallywonderingifeverysinglefootballplayerdoesn'thavethis."
Inthearticle
Book:NFLcrusadedagainstsciencetheauthorstates
oneofthemostimportant
findingsinthebookwashowpoorlytheNFLhandledresearchintothelinkoffootballandbrain
damage,undertheleadershipofformerNFLCommissionerPaulTagliabue.Theyfound,
TagliabueestablishedtheMildTraumaticBrainInjuryCommitteetoactastheleague's
concussionsinvestigatorycommittee,andthecommitteepublishedtheirresearchinthemedical
journaltitledNeurosurgery.Theirfindingswereeditedbyconsultant,neurosurgeonDr.
MichaelApuzzo.Theauthorsstate,Apuzzoignoredpeerreviewers'objectionstotheleague
researchbeforerubberstampingitintothejournal.Theactionsledsomeconcussionresearchers
toprivatelyridicule"Neurosurgery"as"TheOfficialMedicalJournaloftheNationalFootball
League"andthe"JournalofNoNFLConcussions.
InthearticlefromtheCDC,titledImplementingReturntoPlay

oneofthelessonslearned
fromthestatesofWashingtonandMassachusettswasrecommendingstrategiesforpreventing
concussions,aswellasotherinjuries,whileimplementingreturntoplayregulations.Inaddition
toadoptingprotocolsforothertypesofinjuries(likeACLinjuries),stakeholdersinthesestates
recommendededucatingstudentathletesonblockingtechniques,warmuptechniques,and
requiringprotectivegear.
AnotherpieceofinformationfromtheCDCsarticle,ImplementingReturntoPlaybroughtup
theissueofaknowledgegap.Theyfoundthatsomehighschoolathleteswerereluctanttoreport
injuriesforfearofbeingpulledoutofthegame.Onerecommendationwastoeducateparentsand
youthaboutthesevereconsequencesofconcussions.Withallofthenewinformationcomingout
everydayaboutconcussionseverity,however,itisalsoimportanttoeducatestakeholderslike
coachesandschoolpersonneloncurrentmanagementguidelines.
Thearticlefrom
Newsroom,
aboutRiddell,gavethereasonwhyArizonaStateandRiddellare
teaminguptoexploretheconcussionissues.Theresearchersareexploringwhethertheeffectsof
subconcussivehitsareidentifiablethroughbloodbasedmolecularinformation.Theirfindings
couldchangethefutureofhowRiddellproduceshelmetsforfootball.Theobjectiveofthestudy
istodiagnoseconcussionsbetterandtoidentifywhenaplayercanreturntothefield.
Thearticlefrom
Newsroom
,aboutRiddell,statesRiddellhasdeployedaSidelineResponse
SysteminhelmetstoobtainrealtimeheadimpactdatafromtheArizonaStatefootballteam.This
willprovidethemwitharangeofinformationonthefrequencyandseverityoftheheadimpacts
thataplayerreceivesduringgamesandpractices.Thedatawillbecombinedwithgenetic
informationabouttheplayerstodeterminewhatthereasonsareforhavingaconcussion.
Inthe2015NFLHealthandSafetyReport,theengineeringsubcommitteeportion,mentionsa
laboratorystudytoassesstheperformanceofhelmetswornbyNFLplayers.Thiswasthefirstof
itskindtoaccountforrotationalvelocityandrotationalacceleration(which,accordingtorecent
findingsplayapartincausingconcussions).Thehelmetsweredividedintotwogroupsbasedon
theirabilitytomanagethelaboratoryimpacts,andwhilethetopperforminghelmetswere
statisticallybetterthanthesecondgroupintermsofreducingtheseverityoftheimpacts,both
helmetspassedtheNationalOperatingCommitteeonStandardsforAthleticEquipment
certificationandeithercanbewornbyNFLplayers.

13

8. Accordingtothe2015NFLHealthandSafetyReport,therewereafewrulechangesinthe2015
seasonthatweredesignedtoincreasethesafetyofplayers.Oneofthesewasthemedicaltimeout,
whereathletictrainerspottersareauthorizedtoalerttherefereetocallatimeoutifaplayerneeds
assistance.Additionally,theNFLhassteppedupsidelinesupportinrecentyears,addingmedical
staffandtechnologylikeelectronicmedicalrecordsinordertobeabletoaddressplayerinjuries
almostimmediately.Finally,thereportdetailstheNFLseffortstomakeyouthfootballasafer
game,includingcollaboratingwiththeUSAFootballNationalConferenceforyouthcoachesand
players,anddonatingtoUSAFootballsequipmentgrantprogramwhichhelpsfundhelmetsand
othersafetyequipmentforyouthprograms.
9. ThestudytitledTheEpidemiologyofConcussionsAmongUnitedStatesHighSchoolAthletes
in20Sportsinvestigatedtheepidemiologyofconcussionsinhighschoolathletesbycomparing
ratesandpatternsofconcussionamong20sports.Theyfound,Themajorityofconcussions
resultedfromparticipationinfootball.Thoughfootballwasfoundtocausethemajorityof
concussionsinhighschoolathletes,researchersobservedthat,concussionsoccuracrossawide
varietyofhighschoolsports.Thesefindingsareimportantinordertogatheranunderstandingof
concussionstostartworkingtowardspreventativemeasuresforconcussionsinhighschoolsports.
10. ThearticleonThurmanThomaswasabouthowhislifehaschangedduetoconcussionissues.He
explainedthatthedoctorssaidhisbrainlookedlikehehadgonethroughawindshieldofacar
severaltimes.Thomasalsogaveadetailedexplanationabouthowhisdailylifehasbeenaffected.
Hesaidhehasalotofforgetfulnessandmoodswings.Thomasisdoingalotofworkregarding
theNFLandhowtoinformplayersonconcussionissues.Hesaidhewouldallowhissontoplay
becauseofthebettertechnologyinfootballgeartoday.Thomasalsoexplainedwhathetalked
aboutatasummittodrawawarenessforfurtherimprovementsandhowtheNFLshouldmonitor
theconcussionissue.

Recommendation:
WerecommendthatourteamwriteanarticlewhichfocusesonhowconcussionsintheNFLwill
forceachangeofrules,inboththeleagueandinyouthsports,inordertomakethegamesaferforplayers
inthefuture.Wethinktheeditorwillfollowourrecommendationbecauseweresearchedanewand
interestingangleonthetopicofsportsandconcussions.Americansareenthralledwiththetopicof
football,butthemajorityofthosepeopledonotknowthenittygrittydetailsthatareshapingwherethe
gameoffootballisheading.

14

Wethinkthat
TIME
magazineisthebestoutletforourarticle.
TIME
magazineisinternationally
recognizedandwillbeabletoreachawidegeneralaudience,ratherthanasportsfocusedaudience.The
storiesthat
TIME
publishesaremeanttosparkanationalconversation,andwethink,andhope,thatour
storywilldojustthat.ManyAmericanshaveatleastasmallconnectiontofootball,andwillbeinterested
toseehowconcussionshavealreadystartedtochangetherulesofthegame.Thosepeoplewillalsowant
toseewheretheseconsequences,asaresultofthehighnumberofconcussionsinfootball,willtaketheir
children,whoplaythegame,andfavoriteplayersinthefuture.
TIMEs
futureissuewillbethebest
platformforthisbecauseitisfocusedonthefuture,andwillbeabreakfromtheoverexaminationof
technologyandspacethatfutureissuesusuallycover.

Whilethereisaseriouselementtothestory,thisstorywillbringAmericastruefavoritepastime
totheforefrontofmagazinestandsandbringgenerationswhogrewuplovingfootballandthenew
footballfanstogetherbylookingatboththelessthansafepastofthegameandhowfartheleaguehas
come.FootballissomethingthathasalwaysbroughtAmericanstogether,regardlessofclassorrace.In
theseturbulenttimes,wethinkitisimportanttodiscusshowthegamewillcontinuetoimproveandbea
greatequalizerinAmerica.Throughtheinformationwehavefoundsofar,itsclearthatthenational
conversationonfootballandconcussionsisjuststarting,andisnotexclusivetotheNFL.Withoutyouth
playersandtheparticipationofparents,thereisnofutureoftheleague.Inordertokeepthetradition
goingstrong,seriouschangesneedtocomefromthetopandgiveyouthplayersareasontolearnhowto
properlyplaywhilekeepingthemselvessafe,becausenothingshouldbemoreimportantthanplayer
safety.