By: Paul Duncan
Issue: Contact Sport Safety
Present: Contact sport safety has become a nationally visible issue at the highest level of sports, but has nationwide impact through youth sports. A recent study found brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in 97% of former NFL players examined.[1] Last year the NFL settled a lawsuit with former players, agreeing to pay monetary awards to retired players with neurological damages and fund safety education programs. While the NFL did not admit wrongdoing, the suit alleged the NFL deliberately covered up the risks faced by players with regards to head injuries.[2] The NHL is facing a similar lawsuit.[3]
The majority of people playing contact sports are not professionals. In 2011 youth sports participation was over 45 million.[4] Participation in high school athletics rose last year for the 26th consecutive year to 7.8 million.[5] Approximately 1.35 million athletes aged 19 and under visit emergency rooms for spots injuries each year, accounting for 1/5 of injury-related emergency room visits for that demographic.[6]
Past: Focus on concussions arose due to high profile concussion incidents and emerging neurological science in the 1990s and early 2000s.[7] The NFL initiated rule changes to protect players starting in 2009.[8] The Oregon state legislature passed a law known as “Max’s Law” in 2009 mandating concussion safety standards in high school athletics.[9] This was expanded in a bill know as Jenna’s Law.[10]
Future: Sports safety appears to be improving. Since 2012 the NFL has seen a 35% decline in concussions. Youth football groups adopting the NFL’s suggested polices have seen similar success.[11] Emphasis on safety in sports is becoming more prevalent at all levels.
Footnotes
[1] Breslow, Jason. “New: 87 Deceased NFL Players Test Positive for Brain Disease.” Frontline. PBS, 18 Sept. 2015. Web. 18 Oct. 2015.
[2] “FAQs.” NFL Concussion Settlement Program Website. 1 July 2014. Web. 18 Oct. 2015. <https://www.nflconcussionsettlement.com/FAQ.aspx>.
[3]McIndoe, Sean. “Everything You Need to Know About the NHL Concussion Lawsuit.” Grantland. 27 Nov. 2013. Web. 18 Oct. 2015.
[4] Ferguson RW, Green A, Hansen LM. Game Changers: Stats, Stories and What Communities Are Doing to Protect
Young Athletes. Washington, DC: Safe Kids Worldwide, August 2013. Web. 18 Oct. 2015
[5]“High School Sports Participation Increases for 26th Consecutive Year.” NFHS.org. National Federation of State High School Associations, 13 Aug. 2015. Web. 18 Oct. 2015. <https://www.nfhs.org/articles/high-school-sports-participation-increases-for-26th-consecutive-year/>.
[6] Ferguson RW, Green A, Hansen LM. Game Changers: Stats, Stories and What Communities Are Doing to Protect
Young Athletes. Washington, DC: Safe Kids Worldwide, August 2013. Web. 18 Oct. 2015
[7] Ezell, Lauren. “Timeline: The NFL’s Concussion Crisis.” Frontline. PBS, 8 Oct. 2013. Web. 18 Oct. 2015.
[8] ibid
[9] “Safety of School Sports – Concussions.” Oregon Department of Education. Oregon Department of Education. Web. 20 Oct. 2015. <http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=3038>.
[10] “Sports Concussion Fact Sheet SB721.” Brain Injury Alliance of Oregon. Web. 18 Oct. 2015. <http://www.biaoregon.org/docetc/advocacy/2013/SB721-fact sheet.pdf>.
[11] “2015 NFL Health and Safety Report.” NFL, 5 Aug. 2015. Web. 18 Oct. 2015. <http://static.nfl.com/static/content/public/photo/2015/08/05/0ap3000000506671.pdf>.