The National Football League is one of the world's most physically demanding sports leagues. For the most part, each play ends in a physical hit, with players experiencing high-speed collisions multiple times every game. Over the years, more and more serious injuries and concussions have been reported, prompting more research on the lasting consequences of head injury. 

Understanding Concussions

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that occurs when a hit to the head or body causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull. This blow to the head can cause a range of symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, confusion and more. 

In the NFL, concussions occur frequently due to the nature of the sport. Players are often hit with a tremendous amount of force, which can result in multiple concussions throughout a career. Recent studies show that repeated head trauma is linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain condition found in many former NFL players.

CTE

CTE can lead to symptoms such as memory loss, mood swings, aggression and far more. Dr. Bennet Omalu, a neuropathologist, brought widespread attention to CTE after he diagnosed former NFL player Mike Webster with it. In 2017, Boston University examined the brains of 376 former NFL players and found that 345 of them had evidence of CTE. This impactful statistic highlights the severity of this problem in the NFL. 

One of the most recent, notable stories of CTE is that of former New England Patriot player, Aaron Hernandez. The former NFL star, who was of convicted murderer, was diagnosed with severe CTE after his death in 2017. Research done on his brain revealed that he had Stage 3 CTE, an advanced form of the disease rarely seen in someone so young. Experts believe that CTE may have influenced Hernandez’s behavior, including his violent actions. Unfortunate stories such as this one are what make the most impact and have inspired change in the NFL.   

Rule Changes 

In response to this research, the NFL has implemented rules, equipment changes and more protocols in an attempt to reduce this statistic going forward. The league has cracked down on helmet-to-helmet hits and introduced penalties for “targeting,” which happens when players lead with the helmet when making a tackle. In addition, the NFL has adjusted kickoff rules to reduce high-speed collisions. Now, after a big hit, when a head injury could have occurred, an evaluation must happen before returning to play. Finally, with more research, helmet technology has been designed to absorb impact more effectively. Even with these changes, players still experience injury quite often, and the frequency of concussions in the NFL remains a serious concern, with long-term implications for player health and well-being. While the league has made strides in improving safety, a lot of work remains to reduce these traumatic injuries further. As awareness grows, research must be continued to spark more innovative and positive change within the league and beyond.