The National Football League reported that the number of recorded concussions dropped 25 percent during the 2014 regular season.
Data released on the Thursday before the Super Bowl showed that there were 111 concussions in games during the 2014 regular season, down
from 148 in 2013, and 173 in 2012.
The improvement followed rule changes designed to reduce blows to
the head, protect
defenseless receivers and discourage tacklers from leading with the crown of the helmet. The league said that concussions declined even though cameras introduced on the sidelines, spotters in the press box and improved
diagnostic techniques all could have led to an increase in the
number of reported concussions.
In all, the concussion rate is down to 0.43 per game.
When preseason games, plus preseason and regular-season practices, are
included, the 202 concussions this season declined 12 percent from 2013,
and 23 percent from 2012. A total of 59 concussions were caused by helmet-to-helmet or
shoulder-to-helmet hits this season, almost
exactly half as many as two years ago.
