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NFL Implements Major Changes to Concussion Protocol

By George Stockburger

Sep 13, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) leaves the field after suffering a concussion during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. The Panthers defeat the Jaguars 20-9. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) leaves the field after suffering a concussion during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. The Panthers defeat the Jaguars 20-9. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The National Football League and the National Football League Players Association agreed upon several changes to the league’s concussion protocol Monday afternoon.

Among those changes are major penalties assessed upon trainers, team doctors, and teams if the league finds they violated the concussion policy.

Penalties include fines, loss of draft picks, and remedial classes for team medical officials should the policy not be followed.

An interesting aspect of the new policies is that “the Commissioner retains absolute discretion in determining penalties for violations of the concussion protocol.” Considering players did not want the commissioner to hold any further disciplinary powers, this is certainly a change of tone when it comes to protecting themselves.

"As jointly agreed to by the NFL and NFLPA, t Potential disciplinary action includes:A first violation will require the club employees or medical team members involved to attend remedial education; and/or result in a maximum fine of $150,000 against the club.Second and subsequent violations of the concussion protocol will result in a minimum fine of $100,000 against the club.In the event the parties agree that a violation involved aggravating circumstances, the club shall be subject, in the first instance, to a fine no less than $50,000. The Commissioner shall determine appropriate discipline for subsequent violations involving aggravating circumstances.In the event that the Commissioner determines that the club’s medical team failed to follow the protocol due to competitive considerations, the Commissioner may require the club to forfeit draft pick(s) and impose additional fines exceeding those amounts set forth above."

The league also agreed upon looking into the impact of field surfaces on players, preventing infections following the Tampa Bay MRSA situation, and credential standards for team medical officials.

All of these will be in place for the upcoming NFL season, which kicks off in less than two months.

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