In the News - The NFL and Domestic Violence

One of the big issues among professional sports that has been highlighted in recent media is the issue of domestic violence. On October 7, USA Today published an article regarding domestic and the NFL. The owners of the 32 NFL teams will now be meeting quarterly and the big topic on the next meeting is a discussion on domestic violence prevention.

The commissioner of the NFL, Roger Goodell, stated how he hoped to yield leadership on problems that have recently struck the NFL, especially in regard to domestic violence. During the League's meeting in New York this week they are planning to revisit the personal conduct policy for the players. The meeting is supposed to spark changes in the policy as well as a hope to drive national awareness of domestic violence.

The owner of the Houston Texans, Bob McNair, stated that a member of his family had been sexually assaulted, and after that incident McNair has felt closer to the issue of domestic violence and would like to not only see changes made in the NFL, but hopes to spark changes in society as well. McNair would like to see programs implemented to prevent these issues from occurring.

Below is a timeline calendar from the USA Today article that highlights the amount of domestic violence cases and actions done in the last month.

Domestic violence is an issue that has always been around, but not always publicized. In the last couple of months, there have been many cases brought to the media's attention including Hope Solo, the US Women's Soccer Goalie, and 3 cases from the NFL, Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson, and Jonathan Dwyer. None of these cases are the same, and not all of them are being addressed the same either. I definitely think it is important for the NFL to take a stand and make changes to the current personal conduct policy. So many people follow the sport of football in the fall and by the League taking a stand against domestic violence it could spark more societal action and bring more media and attention to issues of domestic violence. I feel as though some of the athletes may feel invincible because they are a pro athlete and nothing can touch them. They need to face the consequences, if they a found guilty. Especially in the case of Ray Rice; after watching that video I found it very disturbing that he just showed no emotion or care towards what he had done. Athletes need to pay the same consequences as everyone else, just because they are elite athletes does not give them an excuse to get away with domestic violence.

USA Today Article: NFL owners set to discuss domestic violence prevention

In the News - Michigan Football Concussion Dilemma

There has been a lot of buzz about the Michigan football team's staff after their game last Saturday, September 27, 2014 against Minnesota. In the USA Today article it sheds light on the events that happened and how the Michigan Head Coach and Athletic Director are responding to the situation. Earlier in the game Michigan's starting quarterback, Shane Morris, was tackled and suffered an ankle sprain. After waving off assistance from any medical staff he continued to play. A short time later, in the fourth quarter, Morris suffered a blow to the chin. When he got back up he quickly fell to the side and was assisted by his fellow offensive lineman. He was then ushered off the field so the medical staff could take a look at him. The article states that the athletic trainer was unaware of the hit to his head and therefore only performed an assessment on his ankle and cleared him to play. After a couple plays the second string quarterback had his helmet pop off during a play. The coach then called for Morris to return, under the impression that he had been cleared to play. Once the second string quarterback secured him helmet back on, he returned into the game for Morris.

The return to the game started a huge amount of criticism for the football staff to endure, from fans, fellow students, and the announcers. Head coach Brady Hoke issued a statement after the game saying that he would never put an athlete back in the game after enduring a head trauma and that he had been cleared by the medical staff, with no concussion. The athletic director then issued another statement on Tuesday, September 30 that Shane Morris had, in fact, suffered a "probable, mild concussion" and that his return to the field was due to a serious lack of communication. This event has sparked a couple changes that Michigan will make to prevent something like this from happening again. The first is to have a medical professional in the press box or video booth with the ability to communicate with the medical personnel on the sidelines. The second change is that the school will examine and address the sideline communication processes.

With all of the research regarding concussions and football this article and video caught my attention. There is a clear lack of communication on the field that needs to be addressed, especially when dealing with the health and safety of the athletes. No matter what level an athletic trainer is working at, whether it be high school, collegiate, or professional the athletic trainer needs to make sure there are eyes on the field at all times. Working with a Division I football team the game and injuries can sometimes get a little chaotic and stressful for the athletic trainer. There is no possible way that one person can be watching what is going on, on and off the field at all times. This is where having assistant athletic trainers, interns, physicians, and other medical staff can really come in handy. One of those many people will have their eyes on the field and should immediately communicate with the necessary personnel that an athlete needs to be evaluated. Not only should these people be looking out for any possible hits, but the coaches should be aware of them as well and should pull the player aside to be evaluated. Luckily, in this situation Morris was pulled out for the remainder of the game and no additional damage was done. In other situations athletes may not be as fortunate, so this situation should be used as a learning experience for other programs as well.

Article Link: USA Today Article on Michigan Football

(Above is a picture of the quarterback Shane Morris, #7, stumbling into the arms of one of his offensive linemen)