geldefender^® Blog

The BCS Championship game was definitely a letdown for many people, particularly those in Indiana. However, there are plenty of good things to take away from the college football finale. The Notre Dame program has taken leaps forward in one season, in a way that doesn’t usually happen without multiple seasons and great coaching. Next, the team will benefit by being in a great position to recruit new players.

The Alabama Crimson Tide will be the first team to repeat national championships in quite a long time. Also, they have won three of the past four championships total, an astronomical number that’s nearly impossible to achieve. Most of the critics feel that this feat will never be repeated again. It is definitely a monumental accomplishment which has also helped Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron’s chances to get drafted in the first round.

The game highlights were extremely one-sided even from the beginning. When the game started Alabama was clearly in control. Alabama possessed the ball for 10 minutes more than Notre Dame in the first half alone. The score also reflected that domination, as the Crimson Tide scored four touchdowns (28 points) in the first half. Notre Dame’s national linebacking sensation, Manti Te’o, did not play like his usual self. Instead, he looked quite slow and was unable to stop either of Alabama’s running backs at the point of attack.

The game was a rather high-scoring affair as Alabama eventually tallied 42 points, a miraculous feat in and of itself given Notre Dame’s undefeated season. We will see how this will play into next season’s rankings, attract a better class of recruits and increase bowl game exposure for both high-powered football programs.

Unfortunately, games of this caliber and importance do not come along very often. The players play harder because the stakes are higher. Injuries riddled both teams as a result. Take Barrett Jones, for example. The Alabama center played the entire game with a torn ligament in his foot, while knowing the risk. Next, Alabama Linebacker, C.J. Mosley suffered from a serious knee injury that Coach Nick Saban stated was “not serious”.

On the opposite side of the field, Notre Dame also had a significant loss. Kapron Lewis-Moore actually suffered a severe knee injury. He will have to endure surgery due to a catastrophic ACL injury. Also, severe leg cramps plagued Notre Dame quarterback, Everett Golson near half-time. These injuries all call for the need for better safety measures during high-stakes games. Several of the injured players were slated to begin meaningful workouts for their NFL draft portfolios. The injuries could completely wipe out their chances for a spot.

*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^TM 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.

In a recent article, a Texas coach stressed that concussions are occurring more often as a result of the public’s lack of education regarding head injuries. Many people already know that concussions occur most often as a result of severe collisions. However, an often-overlooked truth about head injuries is that they're not always caused by person-to-person collisions. The sport that reported the second highest number of concussions was girl's soccer, caused by repeatedly heading the ball and colliding with the goalpost.

According to Kenneth Locker, manager of sports marketing for Texas Health Resources, these sub-concussive hits are dangerous because players (especially in youth sports) are often not removed from games afterward. Youth players who continue to play in a daze are actually at incredibly high risk for even more serious brain injuries.

Locker also points out that it takes younger players much longer to recover than adults. So, if the games are not properly spaced out, athletes can be put in precarious positions. Even if they sit out an entire the game, they might not be prepared to play the next, but most coaches play them anyway. Mishaps like this could hinder players for the rest of their careers.

Teach your children (or your youth players and coaches) to learn about recognizing sub-concussive symptoms. And take time to implement complete sideline tests for medical staff. Protect your players and your communities with information that can help them enjoy the game without being subject to its negative effects.

*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^TM 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.

Despite the mounting evidence against the long-term effects of concussions and the manifold endeavors to make sports as safe as possible with safer rules, little by way of innovative equipment improvements has been made on any official level. Outside initiatives – such as the GelDefender™ – have been undertaken, but little from the inside of sports.

So it’s equal parts baffling and impressive that some from the motor racing world have taken the initiative to make a giant leap forward in football helmet design. Especially when considering that racing has generated very little negative concussion attention – with the glaring exception of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s concussion that took him out of two races.

Bill Simpson, established racing equipment engineer, and Chip Ganassi, owner of several winning racing teams, have together formed Simpson-Ganassi Helmets to create a new football helmet.

It’s still being perfected, and only a handful of players are wearing it. The padding used on the inside is completely new technology, which is all very hush-hush. The vague descriptions provided give little away as to the science behind the padding and how it relates to concussions.
 

That aside, none of the above-mentioned handful have had a concussion with it on. If it proves itself on the field and the kinks get worked out of it, it could very well be a future staple of the game.
 

If that is the case, then we celebrate a safer game for the future. And no matter how this helmet pans out, we celebrate a couple guys willing to go out on a limb to try to make the sport safer, even if it isn’t even theirs. Or maybe especially because it isn’t theirs.

*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^TM 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.

Robert Griffin III gave Washington Redskins fans a scare. But his MRI revealed that no serious damage was done. The same couldn't be said for Bears fans as they watched six players fall to injury nor the Eagles who watched yet another player suffer a concussion...

Robert Griffin III, QB, Washington Redskins:  RG3 suffered a knee sprain, but an MRI showed that there was no serious damage. The Redskins escaped with the win and hopefully their quarterback.

Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears:  Another brutal shot sent Cutler out of the game with a neck injury, while the Bears lost yet another game they were favored to win. Five total Bears players, including their kicker, were injured. Tough day.

Brent Celek, TE, Philadelphia Eagles:  Add this the veteran Eagles tight end to the list of Philly players sidelined with a concussion.

Terrell Suggs, LB, Baltimore Ravens:  It was announced just before the game that Suggs wouldn’t be playing because of a torn bicep; however, most people expect him to be on the sidelines for more than just this week.

Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens:  Ray Rice has been limited by a hip pointer but he seems to be hopeful for next week.

Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, New York GIants:  Bradshaw went down early against the Saints but was able to return. However, he wasn’t used very much.

Brandon Pettigrew, WR, Detroit Lions:  Pettigrew went down with another injury – this time a sprained ankle – in the first half of the game against Green Bay. Calvin Johnson’s productivity seemed to suffer as a result as well.

Injuries to watch for this week:  Knee injuries and ankle injuries

The wear-and-tear of the season is starting to show as joint injuries start to pop up with increasing frequency.  It’s surprising that there weren’t more injuries in the Sunday Night Football Game between Green Bay and Detroit: the Green Bay cornerbacks were hitting hard!

*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^TM 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.

This past weekend yielded several incidents that piqued curiosity and started some very serious conversations in the sports world.

The first is the rise (and fall) of two relatively obscure cornerbacks in Seattle. Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner were quickly becoming two of the biggest reasons the Seattle Seahawks have the NFL’s number one secondary. For both of these players, this placement is a giant step in the right direction. Both were late-round picks and cut from the Canadian Football League. However, following suspicion that they were playing a bit above their talent, both cornerbacks were tested for PEDs. The tests found positive results for Adderall, and now both face four game suspensions if their appeals are disregarded.

Another of our highlights hit hard – literally. After taking a hard hit on Sunday, Denver QB Peyton Manning was taken into the locker room and evaluated for “concussion-like” symptoms. The jury is still out on whether or not he suffered an actual concussion, but one thing is clear. After the incredible year the Denver Broncos are having at the hands of Peyton Manning, they can’t afford the possibility of losing him for two weeks due to a concussion.

In other NFL news, longtime Jets superfan Ed Anzalone is retiring as “Fireman Ed,” a surprise to many fans, as he has been an iconic figure in the Jets Metlife Stadium seats. Although he attributes his decision to unruly Jets fans who taunt him into confrontations, many suspect the Jets’ terrible state is fueling his choice to hang up his helmet. He is well-known for having received the game ball from coach Rex Ryan after the Jets upset the Patriots in 2009. Whatever the reason may be, it is truly a sad day for Jets fans everywhere.

What was your favorite highlight from the weekend?

*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^TM 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.

A plethora of eye-opening and astonishing stories in the sports world have arisen, as of late. Evidence has been brought to light that the NFL knew about the debilitating effects of repeated blows to the head when Commissioner Roger Goodell testified to Congress in 2009. Goodell said then that the NFL reported no ill-effects of head injury but were in fact quietly paying 3 former players disability benefits. Reports from independent doctors verify that the individual players were disabled from impacts sustained while active. Moving forward the NFL will undoubtedly have to take ownership in the issue of its players’ safety.

In a related story, the San Fransisco 49ers and Chicago Bears played one another last night, each without their starting quarterbacks. (The 49ers won 32-7 partially due to their sub quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s excellent performance.) This game marked a rare yet somber occasion, one of the few times in history that two teams have squared off against each other using backup quarterbacks due to concussion disabilities. This points to a new, dangerous era in football, and sports in general.

In U.S. soccer news, the L.A. Galaxy and the Houston Dynamo will square off in a rematch of last year’s MLS cup on Dec. 1. The Houston Dynamo has been soccer’s Cinderella story this year, barely staving off defeat to sneak into the playoff bracket. Popular opinion is that the Galaxy will walk away with the hardware this year, but that is up for debate. It will definitely be a match to remember.

The NCAA recently made a substantial change to the structure of the Big Ten Conference, which has been slowly inviting and accepting more competitive teams than in the past. Welcome Maryland, the newest member of the Big Ten. As viewership has dwindled as of late, there have been many attempts to shake up the league. This will bring about quick change and bring in Maryland football fans.

*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^TM 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.

Commissioner Roger Goodell’s speech at Harvard University made several things clear to the media and  public. The number of concussions is not necessarily linked to the fact that some players are playing short weeks with the addition of Thursday night games. No research data exists to support that theory yet. A number of other factors need to be taken into account.

First, Commissioner Goodell stated that the need for better physical equipment is at the top of his priority list. Given that most of this week's concussions were suffered by quarterbacks, perhaps the equipment (specifically, the helmet) is less effective for that position. As a result, he is proposing an equipment change for different position players to wear different helmets. This would prevent the players who are the most vulnerable from sustaining the most damaging hits.

Next, the commissioner wants to move forward research in new protective technology for players in all positions. Players and fans alike want each player to have a long and productive career, and the current state of the game puts this goal in jeopardy.

The commissioner even believes that the way the game is played is perhaps hindering the game. Although we are used to seeing harder hits and a faster pace, Goodell is not convinced this is the best thing for the game. According to him, the “all out mentality” of NFL players is partially responsible for the rough hits being made in football today. It is clear that something has to change, whether it is the way the game is played, or, more likely, players' equipment.

*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^TM 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.

Following the numerous injuries this past week in pro football, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell decided that it was important to address the growing concerns of concussions in football publicly. The total impact of concussions is still not fully understood, but a variety of negative correlations between concussions and the appearance of mental health problems later in life have been identified.

Commissioner Goodell is speaking at Harvard University today at 3:00 p.m. EST to address the growing number of injuries and the need for change in the game. This speech is definitely long overdue, as the speed of the game and the velocity of football tackles have been increasing steadily for a number of years now. The speech carries great importance and will undoubtedly result in increased scrutiny on all levels.

Some of the issues at hand are the length of time required for players to come back from concussions and the concussion testing criteria for medical staff on the sidelines. Also, the decisions made for the player, medically speaking, are of paramount importance right after a potential concussion. Additionally, expect a large fine increase for players who are deemed to have maliciously caused concussions. This will hopefully make players refrain from initiating vicious hits on other players.

*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^TM 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.

This weekend brought earth-shattering stories to the forefront of the sports world. With the NFL-season in full swing, many fans don’t realize how short the NCAA football season actually is. As a result, official BCS standings are becoming more and more relevant by the day.

Alabama Crimson Tide had been the fan favorite to walk away with the BCS title, especially after the convincing defeat of Les Miles’s LSU Tigers, another SEC juggernaut. However, after a jaw dropping defeat Alabama has fallen three spots in the BCS standings to number four. Now the Crimson Tide is on the outside looking in and will almost certainly not get a chance to play in the BCS title game.

If the season were over today, then the high-profile Oregon Ducks would play the Kansas State Wildcats, the biggest surprise of college football this year. Both teams match up exceptionally well, and the only sure thing is that this would be an explosive game.

In other news, NFL players suffered from an inordinate number of concussions and related injuries this weekend. Many critics are pointing to the up-tempo speed of the game and the comparatively unsophisticated professional equipment that the NFL provides as the causes.

Most of the injured players are high profile starters on their team, including three star quarterbacks. Jay Cutler of the Chicago Bears took a vicious hit during Sunday night’s showdown versus the Texans. Next, the Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback, Michael Vick, was knocked out of the game with a concussion, a hit that allowed the Dallas Cowboys to capitalize on the weakened Eagles. Finally, the San Francisco 49ers’ Alex Smith was taken off the field with concussion-like symptoms during a game against the St. Louis Rams.

Many fans pointed to the fact that none of these teams could muster a win. However, we feel the unifying theme is that these players are lucky to be okay! We wish you speedy recoveries!

In basketball-related news, the Los Angeles Lakers have fired controversial coach Mike Brown following the Los Angeles Lakers’ reportedly disappointing start combined with Lakers fans’ high expectations for the season. Top-ranked center Dwight Howard left the Orlando Magic for his chance to become a part of a championship-caliber team. Also, veteran guard Steve Nash joined the Lakers this offseason in hopes to secure his own place in history this season. New Coach Mike D’Antoni is expected to turn the season around before it heads any further in the wrong direction.

Lastly, one of the most enduring records in the soccer world, set by Pelé in 1958 for most goals scored in a calendar year, was shattered by international soccer sensation Lionel Messi. Once again, he was named man of the match during the momentous event. Arguably the best player on the world stage, Messi has gone on record claiming none of the goals he scores are as meaningful as the ones he dreams of scoring at the highest level of the game: the World Cup. He has been unable to secure a World Cup title for his native land, Argentina. Perhaps in the upcoming world trials he will be ready for another chance to make this title a reality.

*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^TM 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.

A fair amount of chatter recently has been dedicated to the mythological “concussion-proof helmet,” that elusive piece of safety equipment that can perfectly protect the brain from harm. In response, various “solutions” to the sports concussion problem have been popping up in the form of protective products.

So, to clear up the issue from the get-go, we’ll state the facts: there is no such thing as a concussion-proof helmet. Contact sports will always have some modicum of danger involved for the brain. The second someone tries to sell that, run the other way.

The brain’s movement within the skull causes concussions, not the impact itself. According to the Mayo Clinic, “A violent blow to your head and neck or upper body can cause your brain to slide back and forth forcefully against the inner wall of your skull.” It also states that sudden acceleration or deceleration can have similar effects.

So the issue is what happens when the head is moving swiftly in one direction (which happens during running, skating, or bicycling) and then suddenly stops or changes directions (as in an impact or another abrupt change). First, the brain sloshes forward, hits the front of the skull, and then over-corrects and subsequently hits the back of the skull before finally settling. There’s nothing that can stop the brain from moving around in the skull, so there’s no way to completely protect against concussions.

*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^TM 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.