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Apr 17, 2013 - NFL has committed considerable resources in the area of health and safety. .... TITANS, TEXANS HOST USA F
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4/17/13 http://twitter.com/nflhealthsafety

NFL HEALTH AND SAFETY UPDATE—APRIL 17, 2013 INTERVIEW WITH NY GIANTS VICE PRESIDENT OF MEDICAL SERVICES RONNIE BARNES New York Giants Vice President of Medical Services RONNIE BARNES, a member of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee, joined the New York Giants in 1976 and has served as the team’s head athletic trainer since 1980. The National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame honoree (Class of 1999) recently addressed various subjects related to player health and safety: On his role as a member of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee: Serving on the Committee has become a passion. Working with brilliant scientists from many of our most prestigious universities, the Department of Defense and private laboratories is exciting. We have tremendous resources and talented physicians, athletic trainers and scientists all working for the same cause. I can contribute as someone practicing in the field. I bring my experiences in caring for athletes over the years. I also help develop, implement and teach new protocols and algorithms for managing traumatic brain injury to my staff and other sports medicine professionals around the country. We learn something new every day. The NFL is collaborating with scientists all over the world and to have a front row seat is challenging but invigorating. On advising Giants President & CEO & Competition Committee member John Mara on player health and safety matters: I am very fortunate to have a Competition Committee member in our building. Mr. John Mara is deeply committed to player safety. Our medical staff and coaches can make John aware in real time of our concerns on issues that relate to a safer environment for players in the NFL. John understands the game and has a very keen interest in every facet of professional football, especially the medical and safety aspects of the game. The NFL has committed considerable resources in the area of health and safety. I have an opportunity to provide him with accurate and useful epidemiological data and research on medical and safety issues. On how rules changes, including those recently approved by the Competition Committee, enhance player health and safety: NFL players are bigger, faster and stronger than they were a decade ago and decades before that. I applaud the NFL for the continued scrutiny and rules changes that adapt to the changing kinematics of the game. From unnecessary hits on defenseless players to helmet-to-helmet and crown-of-helmet hits, all of these changes are protective measures for the safety of our players. A comprehensive injury surveillance program and a newly created electronic records system will continue to provide the Competition Committee with data and evidence to continue the evolution of the rules of our game. On the importance of the player-athletic trainer relationship: I view all of the players on our roster as my patients. My relationship with them is rooted in honesty, mutual respect, trust and transparency. Compassion plays a major role in my ability to serve as the player’s advocate related to his medical care. When I establish a rapport with the athlete and earn his confidence, we can have open and honest discussions about his health care. We strive to protect the athlete’s privacy at all times. My role is to ensure that he receives an early and accurate diagnosis and proper evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation. His ability to return to play is based on wellness and protection from further injury. I believe in shared decision-making between the player, his physician and myself. On benefits from an athletic trainer in the press box and access to video on the sideline:

The athletic trainer in the booth has made a radical difference in our ability to recognize injuries in the game that may have been hidden from us prior to its implementation. The spotter affords us the opportunity to have an extra set of eyes above the action, and that has been invaluable. The athletic trainer spotter complements the sideline video review system. Physicians and athletic trainers are able to replay big hits, players stumbling and anything unusual that the spotter calls down to notify us about. We also have the ability to look at the video immediately after an injury to see the mechanism of how it occurred. Mechanisms are crucial in establishing a working diagnosis or impression of the injury. Therefore, the addition of these tools is only a benefit to both the medical staff as well as the athlete being evaluated. On the NFL’s return-to-play concussion protocols and implementation at all levels of sport: Traumatic brain injury can occur in every sport at any level. Advances made in the NFL should be disseminated around the world for the benefit of sport. The Head, Neck & Spine Committee has created posters as well as joined forces with the CDC to educate medical professionals, coaches and the public in concussion awareness. It is important for medical professionals at all levels to know when an athlete can return to play. In the NFL, players do not return to play on the day a concussion has been sustained. We have developed a standard protocol that must be performed on every player when a concussion is suspected. We have also developed a printed algorithm for sideline management as well as a written emergency plan for managing catastrophic injuries. We believe in the value of neuropsychological testing and advocate for baseline and post-concussion neuropsychological testing interpreted by a neuropsychologist. We have recently implemented tablet technology using an application known as the X-2 Concussion Management System. This further standardizes the questions asked and the test performed on the sidelines or in the locker room. The components of this application include a baseline test, post-injury assessment and a graded return-to-play function. As part of both the baseline and post-injury assessment, players will complete symptom checklists, histories, SAC (Standardized Assessment of Concussion) questions, cognitive assessment and a balance assessment known as the Modified BESS. Once all of these questions have been answered, the application will assign a numerical value to that component of the test. Therefore, in the event a concussion is suspected, the player will be tested and scores will be compared to the baseline assessment. The results will be displayed and the clinician has the ability to assess any deviations from what is considered this particular athlete’s norm. All concussions are different and present in very different manners. Each assessment tool should serve as an adjunct to the physician’s and athletic trainer’s clinical judgment. PITTSBURGH STEELERS HEAD COACH MIKE TOMLIN NAMED TO COMPETITION COMMITTEE Pittsburgh Steelers coach MIKE TOMLIN has been named to the NFL’s Competition Committee by Commissioner ROGER GOODELL. “Mike has strong, perceptive views about the game and is effective in expressing them. We look forward to his contributions to the committee’s ongoing mission to improve the game,” Goodell said. The Competition Committee studies all aspects of the game and recommends rules and policy changes to the NFL clubs. At the NFL Annual Meeting last month, NFL clubs approved several rules changes to further enhance player health and safety. Goodell also has named four head coaches – LESLIE FRAZIER of Minnesota, JOE PHILBIN of Miami, RON RIVERA of Carolina and MIKE SMITH of Atlanta – to the Coaches Subcommittee of the NFL Competition Committee. The subcommittee, chaired by Pro Football Hall of Fame coach JOHN MADDEN, reports to the full Competition Committee and meets on a regular basis to discuss player safety, competitive issues, coaching and personnel development and technological innovations.

TITANS, TEXANS HOST USA FOOTBALL LEADERSHIP FORUMS The Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans held youth football leadership forums last weekend in their respective communities. Hosted in conjunction with USA Football, the events gave local youth football coaches and commissioners an opportunity to learn about and discuss health and safety issues and best practices for youth football leagues. Similar forums will take place across the country to provide youth football league leaders the opportunity to review important issues with their peers, USA Football representatives and NFL teams. To learn more about USA Football, click here. For more information on the NFL’s health and safety work, please visit www.nflevolution.com.

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