Concussions and how they changed the history of football

The game of football is constantly evolving with the new gear and technology coming on to the scene. The game has rapidly changed over the past couple of years due to the discovery of concussions in 2002. Most football fans may realize that concussions seem to occur almost every week during football games. This may leave you wondering, what is a concussion and how do they occur and what is being done to prevent them?

Concussions are caused by a sudden force to the head or body that causes the brain to actually bounce in the skull, which then damages and bruises brain cells causing the brain to change chemically. The concussion was discovered by a Nigerian born physician, forensic pathologist …show more content…
The league originally only had 22 teams as opposed to the 32 it has now. In 1948, the league prohibited plastic helmets, during this year they permitted plastic kicking tees and referees were permitted with whistles instead of horns. In 1956, the NFL made it illegal to grab the facemask which was created to prevent injuries. Rules were also created to prevent concussions such as targeting which makes it illegal to lead with the crown of the head and initiate contact with another player’s head - this results in a 15-yard penalty and an automatic ejection after review of the play. This rule was created to prevent players from leading with their head reducing the risk of concussions. The equipment in the NFL has also evolved over time. Originally the game was played without helmets, believe it or not, the helmet was actually the last piece of equipment accepted to the game. The players started wearing “Head harnesses” which were created by George Barclay, the head harness was made of three thick leather straps. The face mask didn’t come in to use until the mid-1930’s and it was originally a rubber coated wire mask on a leather helmet. The plastic football helmet was introduced in 1940 by John T. Riddell. The helmet was originally very brittle and often broke which most likely lead to it being prohibited at one point. In 1971, the Riddell company received a patent for “Energy Absorbing and Sizing Means for Helmets”. In 1976, the four-point chin strap was required as a safety hazard for the players. In the 80’s and 90’s polycarbonate, alloy plastic helmets with steel face masks were used. Then in 2002, the Riddell company created a spherical design for the helmet. This was the basis for the helmets used today and was considered a revolution of the helmet, in fact that is its name. Riddell boasts that when wearing the Revolution or Revo that it reduces concussions by 31%. The Revo has gotten upgraded more and