Catastrophic Football Injuries in the U.S.A.

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the occurrence of catastrophic football head and spine injuries in an attempt to reduce their frequency of occurrence. We analyzed epidemiologic and medical data from 1977 to 1990. Catastrophic football injuries are defined as football injuries that result in death or brain or spinal cord disability. All cord injuries studied were to the cervical region. During the time of this study, 93 athletes died as a direct result of participating in the skills of football and 148 football players received permanent cervical cord injuries. Most cervical injuries occurred to defensive players in the act of tackling. The axial loading mechanism of spinal cord injury as described by Torg et al. was identified in 67% of tackling injuries. To further reduce catastrophic injuries, players must stop tackling with the head down, using the head as a battering ram, and instead use the shoulder for blocking and tackling. Other recommendations for reducing catastrophic injuries are presented.