Goodell said in an interview that the $100 million initiative “builds on what we’ve done the last few years but it takes it to another level in a variety of areas. … It’s all about protecting our players. … We’ve seen some very positive things. But we’re not satisfied. We’re not comfortable. There are still things for us to do to make our game safer for our players and make it better for our players, and that’s what we’re gonna do.”
The development comes at a time when the sport and its leaders have remained under intense scrutiny for their handling of head injuries suffered by players. Just in recent days, many observers have questioned the decision not to have Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, the league’s reigning most valuable player, undergo concussion testing during the NFL’s season-opening game last Thursday night in Denver after he absorbed a series of helmet-to-helmet hits by Broncos defenders, only one of which was penalized by the game officials.
In an open letter explaining what the league is calling its “Play Smart. Play Safe” measures, Goodell said the NFL intends to do a better communications job going forward with its concussion-related efforts.
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