As part of the NFC Rookie Symposium going on this week--and as part of the NFL’s continuing efforts to raise awareness about concussions, the longterm effects of concussions and so forth--Dr. Mark Schickendantz, the Cleveland Browns’ head physician addressed the rookies on Monday.
Dr. Schickendantz particularly stressed the importance of disclosing injuries early; basically, if you feel that something is wrong, tell someone. This goes against the sort of macho, “get on the field at all costs” attitude that has long been present in professional football, but judging by the remarks of Cowboys’ first round pick Morris Claiborne, the message got through.
Claiborne said the discussion had a very real effect on him, admitting that once a player is on the field, he’s not so likely to think in terms of his longterm health.
“You think about it when you’re sitting in here,” Claiborne said, per the Dallas Morning News. “Being a football player, once you’re on the field, you don’t think about getting concussions or stuff like that. It’s very important.
“It could be the difference between life or death. If you feel symptoms or those kind of things, you need to tell someone.”
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