SEC Football: NCAA, NFL look to improve safety at every level

Medical staffs from the NFL and NCAA met to work towards a safer game across all levels of football.

Members from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, PAC-12, SEC and members of NFL medical staffs came together for two days of meetings to discuss the best practices for player safety in college football and the NFL.

The Chief Medical Officer of the NCAA and NFL both were pleased after the meetings and felt they were heading in the right direction to keep their players safe.

"“It is important to share best practices, research and innovative strategies that address the safety of our football athletes.  This collaborative meeting with the NFL is an important step forward for all football stakeholders,” noted Brian Hainline, MD, NCAA Chief Medical Officer."

"“We are proud to meet with the NCAA as we both work to progress the health and well-being of players and student-athletes. Through sharing the changes we’ve made on and off the field to enhance player safety, we find continued opportunity to advance health and safety at all levels of the game,” said Dr. Allen Sills, NFL Chief Medical Officer."

Of course, one of the main focuses was concussions. Concussion prevention and treatment is a hot topic in the NFL right now and seems unsolvable right now when it comes to finding the right answer.

Another main focus was on mental health. The Athletic also recently released a mini-documentary series about mental health. I feel like this is going to be soon put on the highest priority, especially for college athletes right behind concussions.

With the NFL and the NCAA teaming up to try to find those answers is a big step in the right direction. These medical officers are trying to find ways to make football safer while also protecting the game we know and love.

They may have helped change some parts of the game we didn’t want to be changed, but it’s to keep the players safe on the field.

Other things they discussed were injury reduction plans, equipment innovation, and opportunities for further collaboration.