Watch CBS News

SF 49ers Co-Owner Lauds New Technology Aimed At Limiting Concussions

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – The National Football League is hoping new technology can help limit some of the dangers posed to its athletes by concussions, something the co-owner of the San Francisco 49ers expects to see implemented on the playing field soon.

Along with his position with the 49ers, Dr. John York also leads the NFL's Health and Safety Advisory Committee. He told a crowd at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco that the league is working with the Department of Defense to develop more effective helmets.

KCBS' Chris Filippi Reports:

"We're looking at both a mouth-guard and multiple sensors in helmets and we're hoping to have those prototypes ready to be put into helmets at the beginning of next season," he said.

Hall of Fame quarterback and CBS Sports commentator Dan Fouts said early testing is critical.

"Have the young athletes, the high school age athletes now take a test before the season so you have a baseline," Fouts said. "Then when that concussion happens, they retest the player and they can tell just how severe it is based on the baseline."

Fouts did tell the crowd he doesn't think concussions can be prevented.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.