NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell today notified owners that the league has cut ties with controversial doctor Elliot Pellman and that the league would hire its first full-time chief medical officer. Pellman co-chaired the Mild Traumatic Brain Injury committee from '94-'07, when the NFL denied a link between brain trauma and concussions. Since then, he continued to have role with the league, a fact outlined in a recent report from U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) looking at the league’s alleged interference in grants from the National Institutes of Health. Also, the recent film “Concussion” negatively portrayed Pellman.
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“The Commissioner understands that we have to demonstrate strong leadership on health and safety and that our players and fans need to trust in us,” a source close to the NFL said. “This was his decision and Dr. Pellman agreed to retire.” Pellman, a former Jets team doctor, is a rheumatologist, and so was criticized for not having the proper background to assess concussions.
THE DAILY asked Goodell at the May owners meeting whether it was wise to keep Pellman affiliated with the NFL, and he responded, “His role is purely administrative at this point in time. It is not in any way making policy.” In the memo to owners today, Goodell wrote, “We thank Dr. Pellman for his dedicated service to the game and for his many contributions to the NFL and our clubs, and appreciate his willingness to aid in this transition over the next few months.”
