NEWS

NFL Health Update: Panel discusses TBI at San Antonio event

Print

NFL HEALTH AND SAFETY UPDATE — JANUARY 9, 2013

U.S. Army hosts high school football coaches at panel on traumatic brain injury

Last week in San Antonio, the U.S. Army hosted a moderated panel discussion on traumatic brain injury (TBI) for high school football coaches. Ninety coaches from across the country gathered to learn more about TBI and how to manage the injury properly in their players.

Panel members included Col. Jamie Grimes, National Director of the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center; Dr. Arnold Vardiman,  Diplomate American Board of Neurosurgical Surgeons; and Ernie Conwell of the NFL Players Association. Col Scott Bleichwehl from U.S. Army Public Affairs moderated the discussion. The panelists discussed the initiatives that the NFL and the NFL Players Association are taking to support research into TBI and educate coaches and players to recognize injury. The NFL has partnered with the U.S. Army to improve the understanding and treatment of TBI.

 NFL Player Care Foundation announces Super Bowl Screening Event featuring Dr. David Satcher

The NFL Player Care Foundation (PCF) announced a series of medical screenings for former players during Super Bowl Week in New Orleans. Together with the American Urological Association Foundation, the Living Heart Foundation, the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine and Tulane Institute of Sports Medicine, the NFL PCF will host a two-day Healthy Body and Mind medical screening event, including free and confidential comprehensive cardiovascular, blood, sleep, nutrition and prostate screenings for all retired players, as well as counseling and resource services.

The event will also include a lecture series featuring national experts on brain health, including neurologists from the University of California San Francisco’s department of neurosurgery. In addition, Dr. David Satcher, 16th Surgeon General of the United States, current director of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine, and a mental health advisor to the NFL, will deliver a talk on making a successful transition out of the game with a focus on mental health and resiliency.

Individual mental health counseling and resource services will also be available for former players.

Formed by the NFL, in partnership with the NFL Players Association, Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the NFL Alumni Association, the NFL PCF is an independent organization dedicated to helping retired players improve their quality of life. PCF addresses all aspects of life — medical, emotional, financial, social and community, providing programs and assistance in each area.

Players interested in taking part in the screening event may email DANA.LIHAN@NFLPCF.ORG.

Year in Review — Health & Safety Announcements in 2012

The League:

 Commissioner Goodell:

The Game: 

 The Players: 

 Youth Football/Community:

Jan. 11:    Super Bowl XLVI Community Outreach Events in Indianapolis

* UPDATE: In December 2012, the NFL announced the creation of the National Football League Foundation (NFL Foundation) following an update to the structure of the NFL?s philanthropic organizations. The NFL Youth Football Fund was merged with NFL Charities and then renamed NFL Foundation. For more information about the NFL Foundation, visit: www.nflfoundation.org

– NFL Communications