As it sought to tackle the growing concerns around concussions on the football field and how the injuries were diagnosed, the NCAA more than two years ago saw its autonomy group easily pass a rule that mandated full power to the school’s medical officials on a player’s clearance to return to the field of play.
The move was hailed as a positive step that would help minimize the chance a concussed player might be allowed to return to action. The Southeastern Conference actually had been at the forefront of this movement under Commissioner Greg Sankey.
Concussion studies – at all levels of the game, including an ongoing legal battle in the NFL and a brand-new medical study this week that addresses tackle football dangers prior to age 12 – have remained the foremost medical issue in football.