NFL Concussion Rates

National Football League Injury Prevention

Analyzing concussions in the NFL is something that has gathered a lot of attention, even from outside the football community. Football as a sport has been deemed one of the most dangerous sports with high rates of injuries plaguing the sports for years. Especially as the game advances and players get better, rules in the game have been adjusted to keep players safer and the game competitive. In this project, I am analyzing the rate of concussions in the NFL and how the safety plans of the league are supporting the mission of safety and fairness.

Concussion Rates Increase throughout the Season

As the season goes on, the data shows us that throughout the season up until the playoffs, the number of concussions decreases to zero. Once the playoffs hit, reported concussions disappear from the injury reports. There are less teams competing, but concussions do occur, but the competitiveness of the postseason results in less reported injuries being reported.

No team wants to let the other know if their players are hurting so there is a gap in data at the end of the season.

For this reason, coaches and owners need to be motivated to advocate for player's safety through equipment standards, rule changes, and allowing for proper rest.

Data Source: NFL Injury Report

Photo by Eric Deeran on Unsplash

Significant Rule Changes Affecting Safety 2018-2020

2018

There are several rule changes every year that are added to address safety and other changes in the game overall as players get better and the game evolves.

"It is a foul if a player lowers his head to initiate and make contact with his helmet against an opponent. It is a penalty that will result in the loss of 15 yards. If the foul is by the defense, it is also an automatic first down. The player may be disqualified."

Source: NFL Health and Safety

2019

"Expanded protection to defenseless players, making it a foul if a player initiates a block when his path is toward or parallel to his own end line and makes forcible contact to his opponent with his helmet, forearm, or shoulder."

Source: NFL Health and Safety

2020

"Expands defenseless player protection to include a kickoff or punt returner who will now be afforded the same protection as a pass receiver – both before, during, and after the opportunity to receive the kick. The protection extends until he can avoid or ward off impending contact from an opponent."

"Emphasizes removing certain illegal techniques from line play, such as using the helmet as part of a bull rush, or any block by an offensive lineman that involves initiating contact with the helmet. Game officials will continue to focus on identifying fouls in line play, specifically mobile blocks, cut blocks, and certain pass rush techniques, where initiating contact with the helmet occurs."

Source: NFL Health and Safety

Defensive concussions are more frequent for certain positions, with two outliers in cornerbacks and linebackers who do a majority of blocking.

Offensive concussions are more evenly distributed amongst the positions with the most concussions occurring in positions in closest proximity to the defense.

Defensive Position Concussions

The chance of suffering from a concussion is fairly equal between offense and defense, but there are major differences in each position that experience more concussions than others. Cornerback is by far the most dangerous position on the field with 41 concussions, the next closest position only has 24.

Offensive Position Concussions

There are seven positions in offense compared to only 5 on defense. Overall, offensive positions have lower rates of concussions because offense is protected more by rules because of their defenseless classification.

Within all NFL teams, there is a culture of toughness. I gathered data here on top paid coaches and teams with the highest rates of concussions.

Comparing the top 8 coaches to top 8 teams with highest concussion rates, there are 3 teams that appear on both lists. While it is difficult to equate coaching style to concussion rates, we can see there is a correlation between the two. This, along with all the rule changes and positional risk, provides enough information to justify a call to action.

Data source: Highest Paid Coaches

Data source: Frontline Concussions by Team

The NFL needs to continue to advance the rules of the ever-evolving game. They need to do this with positional risks in mind. Coaches should be incentivized to win and allow their players to recover and operate in a safe working environment. Players need proper rest and recovery time. The protocols put in place after an injury like a concussion must be followed exactly to ensure the player's safety and career in sport.

Support the NFL's Player Association in advocating for a safe working environment for all players, coaches, and medical staff to make the best decisions for their athlete's health and safety.

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