Michigan appears to be ground zero Friday for a number of initiatives involving safer play in football.

First, the AANS Neurosurgeon reported the Detroit Lions are helping to pass concussion legislation in Michigan.

…the bill would require medical evaluation of suspected concussions and written medical clearance before an athlete could return to practice or competition – this would apply to participants in school or community-based athletics.

In Ann Arbor, the Michigan Daily wrote in an editorial that the NCAA should get more involved in the concussion talk. The student publication said the responsibility also is on the fans, who have unfair expectations of players to compete while injured.

The concussion epidemic is substantiated by a strong desire to win that may be misinterpreted by players as a responsibility to play. At the University especially, the importance of a winning season can become inflated. Such an environment can create unreasonable expectations for concussed players to return to the game, further risking their health and future. While winning is not the responsibility of players, football fans are responsible for offering a level of understanding and concern to the players they root for.

As shown on NFLEvolution.com’s concussion legislation by state page, Michigan concussion laws are pending with NFL support.

– Bill Bradley, contributing editor