NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement

Article 39
Players’ Rights To Medical Care and Treatment

Section 1(b)
Club Physician - Team Consultants

(b)Team Consultants.

All Clubs shall have consultants with the following certifications:

  • (i) Neurological: All Clubs are mandated to have a neurological consultant. The Club neurological consultant must be board certified in neurosurgery, neurology, sports medicine, emergency medicine, or physiatry (physical medicine and rehabilitation). If the designated physician is board certified in physiatry (physical medicine and rehabilitation), he/she must demonstrate extensive experience in mild and moderate brain trauma;
  • (ii) Cardiovascular: Board certified in cardiovascular disease;
  • (iii) Nutrition (athletes): licensed;
  • (iv) Neuropsychologist: Ph.D and certified/licensed;
  • (v) Behavioral Health Specialist (as set forth below); and
  • (vi) Pain Management Specialist (as set forth below).

Other physicians who may not meet the requirements set forth in Sections 1(a) and 1(b) of this Article may serve as Team Consultants, provided that they work under the supervision of an existing, qualified physician as set forth in Section 1(a).