Benching The Trend: Under Armour Joins NFL Push To Sideline Head Injuries
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Tackling helmet head injuries. That's what the NFL, appliance maker GE and Maryland's sportswear company Under Armour are teaming up to do.
Christie Ileto has more on the big announcement, and how this new initiative may help your athlete.
Hard hits and tackles may be part of the game, but it's helmet head injuries the NFL, appliance maker GE and sportswear company Under Armour are trying to sideline.
"We're going to change the way people play sports and the way people live," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
The announcement to tackle traumatic brain injuries came first on "CBS This Morning."
The Head Health Challenge includes awarding grants for ideas to identify and measure the problem, looking at new materials for safer helmets and protective gear and teaching children the right way to play.
"We're going to make sure the innovations discovered from this challenge make it to the courts, to the areas and to the fields," said Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank.
Studies show every 20 seconds someone gets a head injury. And that's why officials are hoping to bench this dangerous trend.
The NFL just settled a $765 million landmark concussion suit with about 4,500 retired players for head injuries they claim were sustained on the field.
"They're trying to do everything they possibly can by investing millions and millions of dollars to make sure that our sport in particular -- football -- is going to be safer for the next generation," said Boomer Esiason, CBS News.
Meaning, the next time your athlete takes the field or court, they'll be safer and more equipped.
Entries for the challenge are due at the beginning of next year.
For more information on the Head Health Challenge, click here.
Major League Baseball, Major League Lacrosse and the National Women's Soccer League are also partners in the challenge.
