Falcons support concussion bill at State Capitol

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Former Falcons linebacker Buddy Curry and current kicker Matt Bryant spoke to the Health and Human Services committee of the Georgia legislature in support of the “Georgia Return to Play Act of 2012” on Wednesday at the State Capitol.

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Jason Getz, jgetz@ajc.com Atlanta Falcons, from left to right, kicker Matt Bryant, wide receiver Kevin Cone, offensive lineman Andrew Jackson and former linebacker Buddy Curry listen before a hearing on House Bill 673 during a state House committee meeting Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012. The bill would help educate young football players and their parents, coaches and others about the dangers of concussions and the need to protect student athletes from serious brain injury.

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“I remember coming off the field in a daze,” said Curry, who played for the Falcons from 1980-87. “I was trying to find out which sideline was my own. ... My only thought was to get back on the field.”

Bryant, a father of seven kids ages 14 to 5 months, wants what is best for the youth.

“The most important thing in all of this, anything that you can do to improve the safety for the kids, to me, you find a way,” Bryant said.

Also, offensive lineman Andrew Jackson and wide receiver Kevin Cone were on hand, but did not address the committee. The bill, which was sent back to the committee for revisions, related to providing information to young athletes and their parents or guardians about concussion recognition and management.

The bill is similar to laws that have been passed in 31 states and the District of Columbia after the death of a high school player in Missouri who returned to play after suffering a concussion and later died.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and NCAA executive director Mark Emmert both submitted a letter in support of the bill.

The NFL, which is being sued in several concussion-related cases, was represented at the hearing by Kenneth Edmonds, the league’s director of government relations and public policy.

“The NFL, as well as the Atlanta Falcons, strongly supports Georgia’s Return to Play Act of 2012,” Edmonds said. “We feel that it will help to prevent brain injuries and help make recreational activities safer for young athletes throughout the state.”

Rep. Billy Mitchell, D-Stone Mountain, sponsored the bill.