Independent neurologists will be included in NFL’s concussion research program

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will have independent neurologists work with teams’ medical staff on concussion issues. The policy will be implemented as soon as details can be worked out. Goodell also urges players to tell medical staffs possible head injuries to their teammates.


Goodell and union director DeMaurice Smith also testified before Congress at hearings on football head injuries. He promised to Congress that the league will make better effort in taking care of players who had head injuries or sequelae of head injuries. That might be one of the causes for his recently urging players in NFL jerseys to tell their teams’ medical staffs if they think a teammate shows symptoms of a concussion.

Another cause should be a survey conducted by the Associated Press this month. 160 NFL players were surveyed and 30 replied that they have hidden or played down the effects of a concussion. Being told of the findings, the league began to emphasize the importance of players reporting head injuries, no matter how minor they believe they might be.

Roger Goodell wants legislation to protect collectively bargained steroid policies

Obviously unhappy with Minnesota Vikings’ Williamses’ suspension being blocked, the NFL commissioner Roger Goodell found the way solve the conflict between state laws and NFL policies- to persuade Congress to publish new legislation that would protect collective bargaining agreements from state law challenges.


“We believe that a specific and tailored amendment to the Labor Management Relations Act is appropriate and necessary to protect collectively bargained steroid policies from attack under state law,” Goodell said in prepared testimony for a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing Tuesday.

As Minnesota state law ruled that Vikings’ Pat Williams and Kevin Williams should not be suspended for steroid use, the NFL players union filed a similar lawsuit on behalf of the Williamses and New Orleans Saints players who were also suspended. If the NFL just let it go, it will definitely cause more similar cases to players in other teams' NFL jerseys.

Goodell will not let that happen. He wants legal help from the Congress, not only for NFL, but also for other national sports organizations.

QB Vick's sins is a disgrace to the league

If QB Michael Vick is forced to retire or suspended for longer, many people would think that serves him right.


What he did was considered crazy. He treated dogs brutally, told lies to his owner Arthur Blank and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, and he gave financial support to an illegal gambling operation across state lines violated the Federal Rico statues. At last the federal authorities could not tolerate him and sentenced him 23 months of imprisonment.

As the end of Vick's confinement is coming near, a lot of people have not recovered from the anger with him. Animal rights groups are painting signs and organizing to protest any team who is willing to sign Vick. Members of the media are encouraging Commissioner Goodell to strip Vick of even more time away from the game with a lengthy suspension.

Really a shame, if the league are aware of their duties they would think so. In my opinion, a player like Vick, howerver good is his playing skill, he should just not appear in public as a star and idols to many young people.