New CTE study shines a brighter light on the "dynamic" kickoff
NBC Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- A new study on CTE rates in professional football is unlikely to significantly change participation or perceptions of the sport until CTE can be diagnosed in living players.
- The study may influence debate over kickoff rules, specifically the push to move the touchback spot from the 35-yard line back to the 30-yard line to reduce concussion risks.
- Since the touchback was moved to the 35, kickoffs have increased, leading to more concussions among returners and tacklers, raising safety concerns within the NFL.
- The league is weighing the trade-off between fewer returns (and thus fewer high-impact hits) versus the increased concussion risk during kickoff plays compared to scrimmage plays.
- Some NFL stakeholders oppose the current kickoff rule because it shortens the field for offenses, and the new study strengthens arguments to revert the touchback spot to the 30-yard line.
