The National Institute of Health and the NFL are ending their partnership, specifically the study of concussions, effective in August. The league and the NIH have long been at odds, as the NIH has conducted numerous studies into the effects of football on the long-term health of the athletes. The two sides have had a stormy relationship since its inception in 2012, as the nature of their agreement revolved around showcasing the negative aspects of the league while attempting to aid those aspects.. In what was initially a $30 million pledge to the NIH from the NFL, $16 million has gone unspent. According to ESPN's Mark Fainaru-Wada and Steve Fainaru, the NIH has decided to let the agreement dissolve without renewal due to a 2015 conflict where "the NFL backed out of a major study that had been awarded to a researcher who had been critical of the league." ... This news comes on the heels of a recent study that found brain damage in 110 out of 111 ex-NFL players, including a kicker and a punter, positions that were previously thought "safe." It is also a mere two days after commissioner Roger Goodell responded to a letter from House members inquiring on if the NFL would honor its commitment of $18 million in funding to the NIH. The league responded that "We are currently engaged in constructive discussions with the [Foundation for the National Institutes of Health] regarding potential new research projects and the remaining funds of our $30 million commitment," in a written letter through a spokesman. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...onal-institute-of-health-on-concussion-study/
Uhhh, if I was going to spend 30 million and knew I was fucked after half I wouldn't spend the rest either.
I don't know what everyone is so pissed about. 300 lb men running around smashing into each other over and over is going to have effects. What is the NFL supposed to do? Shut down?
No but they should at least admit all the recent shocking studies on football players and CTE. They just choose to act like there is nothing going on. The dudes playing, that's all them and their risk, their choice but the NFL never acknowledges the issues of CTE and football
They could stop trying to fight paying workers' comp cases to current and former NFL players. Quite a few of them aren't rich at all and can't get new employment with debilitating brain injuries.
Good place for 16 million instead of paying it to study what is obvious. Likely they'll cure it with 16 million more? Doubt it.
I actually got a concussion playing flag football, lol. 100% true story. I was rushing the QB and he pitched the ball to the RB, I pursed, as I reached for the flag he gave me a forearm to the chin. The grass was slick with dew, I slipped and hit the back of my head on the ground. Don't remember anything about the game after that. I guess I went out on offense after we got the ball back and couldn't remember the plays.