If any of you have been reading the NFL news lately or you watched Vanderbilt wide receiver, Jordan Mathews, vomit on the field, you have been inundated with discussion about concussions and the possible effects (Turns out that it may not have been a concussion, but, who really knows). I am here to tell you that I met with Verizon at CES 2013, just hours after they presented their new helmet technology to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.





CES 2013: Verizon Sports Technology Can Be Used For Good In the NFL (via Hubtuit)

Basically, the helmets communicate with satellites that relay the data to software. This all happens real time. So, whether or not Mathews had a concussions we would know how hard his head hit the ground. This could instantly notify the trainers and the NCAA about whether or not he may have a concussion. They could then determine whether or not he should come out. I mean, what player wants to come out of a potential game winning drive? Further more, what coach wants to lose their best player on such a drive? There needs to be a way to objectively look at the situation.

In fact, I imagine that this technology could be used from Pop Warner all the way up to the NFL. Like an odometer, every football player would know how many miles they have on their brains and there can be a point where, like Roberto Duran, the League says, "No Mas".

This does bring some very interesting questions to mind though. What if Tom Brady had more miles on his brain than the accepted limit? Would the NFL want to lose their meal ticket? What about the NFLPA? Would they want to lose players that make considerable salaries and potentially diminish their dues? Then, there are the players themselves. Would they want to give up big money to protect their brains in a sport that is commonly looked at as a sport of modern gladiators?

As with all great potential solutions there may be more red tape stopping it than true willingness to actually solve the problems. What I do know is that the 700+ million that the NFL is paying to the players is now a drop in the bucket compared to what future suits can seek based on the precedent now being set.

What do you think? Is this a good solution? What is holding it up? And, what could those shoes in the video do for the live game experience? Can you imagine seeing Jacoby Ford's acceleration speed on a kick-off return flying down the field?