NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement
Players’ Rights To Medical Care and Treatment
Section 17(f)NFL Game Concussion Protocol Enforcement
The prevention, diagnosis and management of concussion is important to the National Football League, its member clubs, the players, and the NFL Players Association. As required by this Article, the NFL Management Council, on behalf of the NFL, and the NFLPA, through their respective medical advisory committees, have developed a protocol to address the in-game evaluation and diagnosis of potential concussions, and the subsequent management and treatment of players diagnosed with concussions, entitled the NFL Game Day Protocols Regarding the Evaluation and Management of Concussion (“NFL Game Concussion Protocol”), which is incorporated by reference into Section 17 of this Article and Appendix W attached hereto. The NFL Game Concussion Protocol is a necessary component of player medical care in the NFL and is therefore deemed mandatory by the Parties. Pursuant to the joint and continuing obligations set forth in this Article, the Parties have agreed to evaluate and address the potential deviations from the NFL Game Concussion Protocol, as set forth below:
Amendments: Any and all changes to the NFL Game Concussion Protocol and/or the NFL Concussion Checklist shall be subject to mutual agreement by the Parties. The Parties, through their respective medical advisory committees, shall regularly review the same and implement changes and improvements as necessary.