How the NFL Reduced Concussions Without Eliminating the Kickoff episode artwork

EPISODE · May 9, 2025 · 12 MIN

How the NFL Reduced Concussions Without Eliminating the Kickoff

from My Favorite Mistake: Learning Without Blame in Business and Leadership · host Mark Graban

In this bonus episode of My Favorite Mistake, host Mark Graban welcomes back Dr. Thom Mayer, the longtime Medical Director for the NFL Players Association. Thom previously joined us in catch up on his original episode here 🌐 Learn more about Dr. Mayer and his work with the NFLPA 💡 Subscribe at MarkGraban.com/mistake

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published May 9, 2025

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Dr. Thom Mayer returns to discuss how the NFL’s 2024 “dynamic kickoff” experiment dramatically reduced concussion risk while preserving one of football’s most exciting plays. In this bonus episode, Dr. Mayer shares early data showing a 43% reduction in kickoff concussions, increased return rates, and how systems thinking, physics, and collaboration are shaping the future of player safety. He also explores innovations in helmets, guardian caps, shoulder protection, and why the goal of “zero harm” still matters—even when perfection isn’t possible.

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How the NFL Reduced Concussions Without Eliminating the Kickoff

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This episode was published on May 9, 2025.

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