By Ken Reed
The evidence against the NFL on the concussion issue presented in the PBS Frontline documentary, “League of Denial,” is damning indeed.
Undoubtedly, the full truth would be even more damning. However, due to the NFL’s settlement of the concussion lawsuits brought by players, we’ll probably never know the full truth regarding the strategic lengths the NFL’s executives and owners went to in order to play down the concussion issue. If the lawsuit settlement is formally approved, the NFL will probably never have to reveal exactly what it knew and when it knew it.
Nevertheless, “League of Denial” provides a powerful case against the NFL. It’s no wonder ESPN bailed on the documentary project with PBS in order to protect its relationship with the NFL.
As Patrick Hruby writes in his review of the film:
“‘League of Denial’ makes clear that the NFL has treated brain damage as a legal problem first, a PR problem second and a health and safety problem a distant third. Protecting the sport’s popularity and profitability took precedence over protecting its participants.”
In addition to watching the film and/or reading the book of the same name by Mark Fainaru-Wada, Steve Fainaru, I strongly recommend perusing the articles and information on football and concussions on the “League of Denial” website.
— Ken Reed, Sports Policy Director, League of Fans
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