ACC to staff games with medical observers

In an effort to improve player safety, ACC athletic directors voted Sunday to have an observer in the press box of every game who will monitor players’ physical condition. The observer, who will also have access to the medical histories of the team’s players, will be in communication with medical staff on the sideline and is expected to be able to have a better vantage point on all players. Each team will have an observer.

The SEC and Pac-12 have also approved similar plans. It is in line with increased attention to what is termed student-athlete welfare. Speaking at the ACC Kickoff, commissioner John Swofford also said he would like to see improvements in the way that athletes are able to investigate their options to turn professional early.

Swofford said the goal would be “giving these young people enough rope, if you will, opportunity and freedom to get accurate information and get it from the right people. Oftentimes, that’s not happening.”