Huffington Magazine Issue 71 | Page 30

Voices MICHAEL V. KAPLEN AND SHANA DE CARO HUFFINGTON 10.20.13 AL BELLO/GETTY IMAGES Players and Public Lose in the NFL’s Concussion Crisis IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT documentary League of Denial: The NFL’s Concussion Crisis, we felt it was important to revisit the statements NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made the other week to Fox Sports broadcaster John Lynch concerning the proposed settlement of the players’ class action lawsuit. Those statements and the NFL’s longstanding unequivocal rejection of any relationship between concussions and brain trauma are an outrage and disrespectful to all those players whose lives have been devastated. Goddell’s disingenuous portrayal of the league’s concern about the health and safety of the players is incredible at best. His assertion that the league has been forthcoming with medical information as it has become avail- able, defies credulity. Goodell’s unbelievable contention that the league has acted in good faith and has not misled the players flies in the face of reality. Over the years, the NFL has staunchly refused to acknowledge the accumulating body of impartial, documented, medi- Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft in New York City in April.