The Problem with Concussions in the NFL

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Jeff Dean

Players and doctors surround the injured Tua Tagovailoa.

The NFL has dealt with injury issues for decades, with them ranging from broken bones to concussions. In the past 4 years, there were a league-wide 3,025 injuries. These injuries seem to linger around the news, especially more recently with the concussion issues. New helmets and technology used around the NFL would lead people to believe that games would be safer to play in, but the opposite seems to be coming true.

In week 3 of the NFL, Miami Dolphins Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa received a late hit from Matt Milano, the Buffalo Bills Linebacker. He got up and held his head while stumbling around visibly. Many believed that Tua had received a concussion while being taken off the field into the locker room. He came out later in the game to lead the Dolphins to a victory, but many were curious as to why he came back out. 4 days later, during Thursday Night Football, Tua took a sack from a Bengals Defensive Lineman. Tua curled up, holding his hands above his head and was not moving on the ground for 10 minutes.

He was taken to a hospital and diagnosed with a concussion. Fans were outraged at the doctors and team that a player could be put back on the field after what happened the week before. The NFL Player’s Association is in a current investigation into what truly happened, but lots of people want legal action against the Dolphins organization for risking a player’s career, even their life.

The concussion protocol was also altered after the incident, with more strict rules being implemented. The main questions that are left after the outrage is how the safety of the NFL’s players will be handled. Until then, fans and players can only hope that they can trust in their superiors to keep them safe in the sport they love.