Medical officials from the NFL, FIFA and other sports organizations "are banding together to look into better ways to identify, manage and treat concussions," according to Barry Wilner of the AP. The groups met at the NFL's N.Y. HQ on Sunday and Monday for a "think tank," which was "funded by an educational grant" from the league. Dozens of scientific and medical personnel "from football, rugby and equestrian circles participated." NFL Head, Neck & Spine Committee Chair Rich Ellenbogen said the various sports organizations "need to look at all variations of what is being done around the world" (AP, 8/25). Dublin-based Int'l Rugby Board Chief Medical Officer Martin Raftery said, "We recognize every sport is unique, it's different, but we all have common problems … with respect to concussion. The solutions might be minimally different, but if we get together and share our information and knowledge and cooperate with research, then we're going to be moving forward" (USA TODAY, 8/25). The AP reported Australian neurologist Dr. Paul McCrory "joined forces with
medical officials from the NFL, FIFA and other sports organisations to
look at better ways to identify, manage and treat concussions." AFL Chief Medical Officer Dr. Peter Harcourt, NRL
medical boss Dr. Ken Crichton and North Queensland Cowboys doctor Chris
Ball were "also part of the NFL-funded 'think tank,'" as well as FIFA Dr.
Jiri Dvorak. McCrory: "This is an exciting development in the science of sports concussion" (AP, 8/26).
