NFL's whistle-blower concussion system is just a start

Filed in archive on June 20, 2007

Current and retired NFL players are having enormous headache problems, caused by multiple concussions.

The problem has escalated to a point where the league felt it important to meet with the NFL Players Association to discussion solutions.

During the "concussion summit," the problems that players face were outlined and concussion research was shared.

The biggest problem seems to be twofold -- players continuing to take the field, even when they know they might have a concussion, or doctors wrongly clearing players, who are not ready to return to action. The latter is the issue that most concerns nfl commissioner Roger Goodell.

Goodell said the league will implement a sort of "whistle-blower" policy, in which players will be able to anonymously report doctors who release them to play when they aren't ready.

The players and league officials believe that this is just a start, and that the meetings will have to continue if real progress is to be made.