NFL and NFL Players A sociation Joint Statement on Concu sion Protocol Published: Oct 19, 2016 at 11:41 AM The NFL and NFLPA have conducted reviews of the application of the Concu sion Protocol in the September 8th Panthers-Broncos game and have determined the following. In the fourth quarter, Mr. Newton incurred a helmet-to-helmet hit which drew a Matt Wieters Jersey penalty. Mr. Newton was slow to get up following that hit.The Panthers medical staff and the Unaffiliated Neuro-trauma Consultant (UNC) were positioned together on the sidelines monitoring the game and were unable to see the point of contact and decided to review the play via the sideline video replay system. In order to facilitate the video review, the team physician and UNC initiated radio contact with the Booth ATC and asked to view the video. Under the current application of the Protocol, once contact between the Booth ATC and the club's medical team occurs, the Booth ATC's responsibilities Steve Carlton Jersey end (including the ability to call a medical time out). The time it took to actually receive the video following this request was prolonged due to a technology glitch.After reviewing the replay and observing Mr. Newton from the sideline, the Panthers' medical staff and the UNC agreed that no further evaluation of Mr. Newton was nece sary as they did not observe signs or symptoms of concu sion. The parties also conducted a review of the application of the Protocol in the September 15th Bills-Jets game. That review showed Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor sustain a big hit that included helmet-to-helmet contact.Mr. Taylor seemed to be unsteady on his feet.Prior to any actions by the club physician, Booth ATC Spotter and/or UNC, referee Ed Hochuli directed Mr. Taylor to the sideline for the required sideline examination. The club medical team and UNC reviewed the video and conducted the required examination, cleared Mr. Taylor and returned him to the game. Collaboration between the Team Physician and the UNC, who is jointly appointed by the parties, is a critical aspect of the Concu sion Protocol and therefore bears emphasis.In both instances, the reviews of the NFL and NFLPA determined that the club physicians and UNCs worked closely together to review the plays at i sue and jointly made medical determinations regarding evaluation and diagnosis; in each instance, the medical determination made revealed that neither player had sustained a concu sion. The Team Physicians and UNCs involved in each instance worked closely together to provide medical care for the players involved and their team work should be emulated acro s the League. Similarly, Mr. Hochuli's decision to send Mr. Taylor to the sideline for Paul Goldschmidt Jersey evaluation after spotting an observable sign of po sible concu sion, demonstrates a conservative and therefore appropriate application of the Concu sion Protocol. The NFL and NFLPA, in conjunction with our medical advisors and the NFL Physicians Society, have also taken several steps to further clarify and enhance the Concu sion Protocol in an effort to ensure that it is being applied uniformly in all NFL games and that everyone involved in its application understands their roles and responsibilities. Some of the agreed upon enhancements are set forth below. The Concu sion Protocol has been adopted by the parties in order to establish a conservative standard of care and ensure Jedd Gyorko Jersey that competitive considerations do not influence healthcare outcomes. The objective of this Protocol is to provide medical staffs responsible for the care of NFL players with a standardized proce s for identifying and managing potential concu sion. The parties recognize that concu sion diagnosis and management is often a difficult and complex exercise, compounded by hectic game conditions. Accurate diagnosis and management of concu sion requires experienced physicians coordinating with others on the sideline and within the field of play, each acutely aware of his or her responsibilities and all committed to the strict application of the policies implemented in order to protect players. 2016 CONCUSSION PROTOCOL ENHANCEMENTS Concu sion Protocol to require the Booth ATC Spotter to remain in contact Chris Beck Jersey with the club medical team and provide video support until the medical team confirms that a concu sion evaluation has occurred;The NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee, together with the NFLPA Medical Director will conduct a conference call with all UNCs to review changes to the Concu sion Protocol;The NFL, in consultation with the NFLPA, will use Referee Ed Hochuli's actions in Buffalo as an example of the appropriate application of the Concu sion Protocol and proactive officiating in this realm as part of its continuing training of game officials;The NFL and NFLPA are reviewing the merits of supplementing the Booth ATC program with a Booth UNC program as part of their continuing evaluation of the Protocol to ensure the best po sible care of our players.