NFL to post concussion warning in locker rooms

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In The New York Times, football concussion reporter Alan Schwarz examines the content and ramifications of a new warning poster the NFL will be putting in every locker room. An image of the poster can be seen here.

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The poster lists symptoms that players should look out for, including headaches, confusion, memory problems and feeling more emotional, and warns them not to ignore symptoms.

In addition to strictly medical information — including the most starkly worded warnings yet from the league — the poster reminds players that concussions can also have long-term negative impacts on their families and on the health of those youngsters who idolize pro athletes.

Greg Aiello, a league spokesman, said in an e-mail message that the poster, spearheaded by the league’s new head, neck and spine medical committee and written in collaboration with the players union and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “is intended to present the most current and objective medical information on concussions and will be distributed to the players and clubs in the near future.”

Andrew Van Dam