Some suggestions to the NFL on concussions

Today's Denver Post contains a story about the new approach to concussions in the National Football League (NFL).  NFL's big-bang reality

The NFL still needs to go further.  The culture surrounding concussions needs to be changed.  This can only happen through a process of educating the players about the hidden dangers and the life long affects that a concussion can have.  It's time that the wife's of players be educated as well.  They should know that if they if their loved one goes back to play prematurely, the may end up living with a new spouse, someone they don't know and asking themselves, what happened to my old husband.  Until everyone understands that the affects of concussions may last a life time and that their is nothing mild about a mild brain injury, our players will still be in danger when it comes to the silent epidemic of brain trauma.

Additionally, the league needs to establish mandatory time out periods so players have the necessary time to recuperate.  Many of these the lasting symptoms of concussions develop days and even weeks following the initial head trauma, so repeat testing and evaluation of players must also be required.