‘Twas the “yes” heard ‘round the world.

For a very long time, the NFL outright denied any link between football and long-term brain problems. Then the proof began piling up, and their stance shifted to, essentially, “no comment.” The league has donated funds to concussion research and instigated protocols for injured players, but it never crossed the line to admitting that football was causing long-term brain damage.

Until last Monday. When Representative Jan Schakowsky of the House Energy and Commerce Committee asked Jeff Miller, the NFL’s senior vice president for health and safety policy, whether there’s a link between football and degenerative brain disorders like CTE, his replied definitively: “The answer to that is certainly, yes.” And shockwaves ran through the football community.

The day after Miller’s remark, an NFL spokesperson confirmed, “The comments made by Jeff Miller yesterday accurately reflect the view of the NFL.”

For the first time, we have a clear-cut, unambiguous acknowledgement from the NFL that its sport can cause long-term head trauma.

Keep in mind that the NFL is on the short list of individuals and organizations worldwide who have the most to lose from the concussion crisis. Therefore, Miller’s words have far more weight than they would coming from another’s mouth.

In short, if the NFL is saying it, it must be true.

*Scientists have no conclusive evidence as to whether or how the reduction of g-forces during impacts reduces the number or degree of concussions and head injuries. GelDefender products provide supplemental padding as well as cooling and comfort benefits when used with helmets and caps. Participants in activities in which head impacts can occur should always use tested and approved helmets for protection. However, no helmet or supplemental padding can protect the user from all serious head or neck injuries that can result from impacts.