NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement

Article 39
Players’ Rights To Medical Care and Treatment

Section 1(d)
Club Physician - Head Team Physicians

(d)Head Team Physicians.

Within an individual Club, either the Head Team Orthopedist or the Head Team Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician, as applicable, shall have the exclusive and final authority to determine whether a player is cleared to return to participation in football activities. All Club personnel involved in performance optimization activities and/or other health-related issues (e.g., strength and conditioning coaches and sports performance staff) shall keep the Head Team Physicians fully informed regarding their activities with Players and shall in no event take any measures inconsistent with Players’ medical care and management overseen by the Head Team Physicians. If the Head Team Physicians determine that any such areas involve medical care and management, the Head Team Physicians shall have the final authority to make, modify or override decisions in such areas. For the avoidance of doubt, this Subsection is not intended to impact a player’s right to obtain a second opinion as provided in this Article, the Grievance procedures in Article 43 and Article 44 of this Agreement, or the Injury Protection and Extended Injury Protection procedures in Article 45 of this Agreement.