More on Mouthguards and the NFL

Mouthguards have been receiving a lot of press as of late, and rightfully so. It is good to see potential solutions being discussed:

"Players who use (the) device swear by it. Any kind of mouthguard would probably help, for that matter. The NCAA requires them. The NFL doesn't, and 40 percent of players don't bother.

You'd think the NFL would want to protect its investment. Apparently you've got to look out for yourself."

It is good to see that Pellman is no longer running things, and if he was wrong about when to return players to action after a concussion:

"...what really sunk Pellman's argument was his response to reports that 15 percent of NFL players return to play immediately after a concussion and 34 percent come back later.

"If a player feels good, what's the contraindication to letting him play again?" Pellman asked the magazine. "There is none."

... he may have been wrong about mouthguards.

"Pellman told the magazine he doesn't believe the mouthguards are viable.... a debatable point..."

I would love to see a longitudinal or retrospective study by the NFL on the efficacy of mouthguards. They cost very little, and should be considered in the same category as helmets - mandatory.