Throughout the 2015 NFL season, fans were frequently advised that a player was entering the “concussion protocol” and would need to be “cleared” before returning to play. Based on the observations of the sideline staff and a spotter located in the press box above the field, players will be evaluated on the sideline and removed from play if a concussion was suspected. If confirmed, players then enter the concussion protocol. It’s been estimated that close to 200 concussions were suffered by NFL players this past season, and in some of those cases the NFL concussion protocol missed its mark. One of those cases involved the failure of sideline staff to remove Rams quarterback Case Keenum from the game after his head was slammed to the ground
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So what is the concussion protocol? Despite its fancy title, the concussion protocol is a mere four-page document that sets out five steps a player who has been diagnosed with a concussion must complete in order to be cleared to play. In 2015, there was no minimum time requirement that needed to be spent in one step before a player is allowed to proceed to the next, but that is one aspect of the protocol which may change for the upcoming 2016 season. Here is a summary of the current concussion …show more content…
The player resumes practicing with the team and is allowed to participate in full football activity involving contact. If full participation practice and contact are tolerated without the return of concussion symptoms and the team physician concludes that the player’s concussion has resolved, he may clear the player to return to full participation. However, before the player is allowed to play in an actual game, he must be examined by an independent neurological consultant and given an independent confirmatory clearance.
Hopefully, each year’s post season review will result in continued improvements to the NFL concussion protocol. Parents, does your child’s athletic program have its own concussion protocol specially designed for children? If your child suffered a concussion while participating in an athletic program and was not given adequate medical attention, please call us to arrange for a free, no obligation consultation.
Source(s): NFL.com, "NFL to review concussion protocol this offseason", posted February 5, 2016; IBT Media, NFL Concussion Protocol: What Are The 5-Stages For Diagnosis And Management?, posted January 22, 2016; ESPN.com, What exactly is the concussion protocol?, posted December 20, 2013; The Washington Post, Explaining NFL’s concussion protocol, the five-step map for RGIII’s return, posted August 29, 2015; NFL Return To Play
So what is the concussion protocol? Despite its fancy title, the concussion protocol is a mere four-page document that sets out five steps a player who has been diagnosed with a concussion must complete in order to be cleared to play. In 2015, there was no minimum time requirement that needed to be spent in one step before a player is allowed to proceed to the next, but that is one aspect of the protocol which may change for the upcoming 2016 season. Here is a summary of the current concussion …show more content…
The player resumes practicing with the team and is allowed to participate in full football activity involving contact. If full participation practice and contact are tolerated without the return of concussion symptoms and the team physician concludes that the player’s concussion has resolved, he may clear the player to return to full participation. However, before the player is allowed to play in an actual game, he must be examined by an independent neurological consultant and given an independent confirmatory clearance.
Hopefully, each year’s post season review will result in continued improvements to the NFL concussion protocol. Parents, does your child’s athletic program have its own concussion protocol specially designed for children? If your child suffered a concussion while participating in an athletic program and was not given adequate medical attention, please call us to arrange for a free, no obligation consultation.
Source(s): NFL.com, "NFL to review concussion protocol this offseason", posted February 5, 2016; IBT Media, NFL Concussion Protocol: What Are The 5-Stages For Diagnosis And Management?, posted January 22, 2016; ESPN.com, What exactly is the concussion protocol?, posted December 20, 2013; The Washington Post, Explaining NFL’s concussion protocol, the five-step map for RGIII’s return, posted August 29, 2015; NFL Return To Play