Obviously you cannot control in football when someone gets a concussion, those kinds of things happen in the NFL. But the NFL is taking action against when a player can come back from one.

Since Nov. 29, 2009, the NFL instituted new rules as to when a player would be allowed to return to a game when Clinton Portis suffered a concussion against the Atlanta Falcons. The new policy says that if the following symptoms occur to a player, they will have to wait for their return:

1. Being able to remember plays or assignments or the players shows other signs of confusion.
2. Gap in memory
3. Abnormal neurological examination, including abnormal pupillary response, persistent dizziness or vertigo, and abnormal balance on sideline testing
4. New and persistent headache, especially if accompanied by sensitivity to light, nausea and vomiting.

Also in 2007, a policy prohibited players from returning to games or practices if they lose consciousness after suffering concussions.

Obviously, the NFL is currently taking action against severe injuries even more than before with their current “flagrant hit” policy.

In other words, they are fining players who commit what the NFL calls “illegal tackles”. These include helmet-to-helmet hits.

This new rule made Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, James Harrison, to contemplate retirement after the league fined him $75,000 for his hit on Mohamed Massaqoui.