Congress uses NFL hearings for its own agenda

October 28, 1:17 PMSports ExaminerPaula Duffy

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Roger Goodell and DeMaurice Smith at House hearings. (AP: C. Dharapak)

The House Judiciary Committee held hearings on Wednesday to shed light on recent study results about former NFL players and brain disorders.

The commissioner, Roger Goodell and players' union executive director, DeMaurice Smith led the first panel of witnesses.

But the committee also heard from independent medical professionals and researchers, former NFL executives and former players regarding their view of what can be done to protect players from debilitating brain diseases that may likely result from repetitive head trauma.

Their views were predictable from previous public statements each had made. The NFL hierarchy was respectful and cautious not to admit anything other than the intent to commit more time and study to protecting its players.

The union head was more strident and yet knew he wasn't there to bite the hand that feeds him and that is the league itself. Medical professionals not affiliated with the league raised the evidence they have found that strongly suggests the causation link between on-field play and brain injuries that occur in disproportionate number to the general public.

But as is to be expected in this political climate there were shameful partisan displays that had little to do with the questions at hand. Congressman Steve King (R IA) berated Commissioner Goodell for his remarks about the efficacy of including Rush Limbaugh in an ownership group that might purchase the St. Louis Rams. He asked him to repudiate pop singers recently added to rolls of minority owners of the Miami Dolphins.

Congressman Ted Poe (R TX)  used the age-old excuse that because players know what can happen to them they shouldn't look to anyone else to protect them. If that were the intent of state and federal legislation then I'd ask the Congressman how OSHA got organized and why its safety laws exist.

And finally, there was Representative Maxine Waters (D CA) who got on her high horse and threatened the NFL with loss of its antitrust exemption if it didn't find a way to get more players included in its disability and pension plan. That of course is an issue for a different day, but not to Rep. Waters.

Between the defensiveness of the league about its efforts, the bomb-throwing ex-Tampa Bay Buccaneers exec who made admissions about her team's treatment of players and the politicians who have their own agendas, I'm not sure what we learned from it all. Oh that's right, we got great headlines.

For more info:  NFL asks Congress to help it suspend the "Williams Wall" on the Vikings

                             What is the NFL afraid will happen if it admits concussions are a problem?

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