NFL Concussions

There has been a lot of buzz this year among sports news networks about the problem of concussions among current and former NFL players. NFL commissioner Goodell introduced a rule change in December of this year stipulating that players who are hit and exhibit concussion-like symptoms must not return to practice or a game for the rest of the day (1). Former NFL players have been very vocal this year about protecting the long-term health of league alumni (2). Current players are claiming that official statistics do not reflect the dozens of concussions players hide from in order to be able to continue play (3).

Concussions have certainly been a chronic issue in professional football for decades, but this year it seems that every broadcaster and sports anchor has been talking about it more than ever. Congress even called NFL administrators to the capital this winter in order to confront them on their ignoring of former players' health problems (4). Whether there truly have been a statistically significant number of concussions in the past few seasons, or whether the hype is simply due to greater media attention, the fact remains that concussions are a serious and chronic problem to be examined critically.

The problem of concussions in the NFL can be described as a problem that has evolved over time, and part of a broader system including many interdependent factors. “Hard”, measurable, elements of the system include the number of “missile style” tackles, the current concussion rate in the league, the number of players that play injured, equipment improvements and the size and speed of current football athletes. What is meant by “missile style” tackle is a type of tackle where one player essentially launches himself into another in order to bring him to the ground or force the ball out of his hands. Some analysts believe that the “missile” tackle is becoming more common, as players are bigger and stronger and therefore more difficult to tackle using the traditional “wrestling style” tackle (5). The league may be considering rule changes in order to encourage the safer “wrestling” tackle. Two “soft”, not easily measured, elements include the pressure on players to keep their jobs with their teams, and the overarching social pressure in football to be “tough” and “macho” (as playing injured is highly respected).

One simple but important reinforcing feedback loop includes the number of “missile” style tackles, concussion rate, equipment improvement, and the size and physicality of players. As players become larger, stronger, and faster, the frequency of “missile” style tackles increases. As more players employ this more dangerous form of tackles, concussion rates increase. As concussion rates increase, the league will be forced either through its own administrative decision making or through public pressure to, among other actions such as rule changes, improve equipment. Better equipment then makes players braver and more physical, knowing that their advanced gear will (theoretically) shield them from serious injury. As players strive to then become even stronger and faster, the reinforcing cycle begins again.

Both the reinforcing feedback loop and the complete connection circle can be viewed below.