After the Energy and Commerce Committee released a report indicating the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee worked to inappropriately influence a National Institutes of Health grant selection process, NFL physicians argued the E&C's Committee accusations are "utterly false," and called for action.
NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee physicians Hunt Batjer, MD, Mitchell Berger, MD, Richard Ellenbogen, MD, and Russell Lonser, MD, published a post in The Hill, illustrating why they believe the allegations lack merit.
Here are four things to know:
1. The NFL physicians said they did not play a part in influencing NIH's decision to issue grant money for researching the prevalence of long-term neurological consequences from repetitive head trauma. However, the physicians did say the NFL expressed their viewpoints because the NIH's review process lacked regularity and the association had an ethical reason to voice their opinions.
2. The E&C report only presents the views of the minority staff on the Committee, although the public strongly perceived the viewpoints to be indicative of the entire E&C Committee, the physicians wrote.
3. The report has drawn negative views from the public, which the NFL physicians said could harm public safety and health.
4. Drs. Batjer, Berger, Ellenbogen and Lonser implore the E&C Committee to review the report and amend the outlined misrepresentations.
More articles on sports medicine:
Drs. Andrew Gurman, Robert Watkins & more: 8 orthopedic surgeons in the headlines this week — June 17, 2016
Washington Redskins names Dr. Robin West sports medicine director — 5 highlights
1st jockey concussion management protocol study to start soon — 4 points