The NFL has been recognized by the American Brain Foundation with the 2025 Game Changer Award, acknowledging the league's efforts toward advancing brain health.
In honoring the NFL at a gala held in Nashville last Saturday, the foundation noted the NFL's commitment to reducing head impacts and its work in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of head injuries, including rules changes, innovations in helmet design and impact detection technology.
The most recent development on the field -- the implementation of the dynamic kickoff for the 2024 season -- contributed to the NFL recording the fewest concussions in a season (182) since tracking began in 2015. That was a 17 percent reduction from the 2023 season. In announcing those figures, the NFL said that a change in culture among players and coaches to report concussion symptoms has also contributed to the improved data.
NFL funding and encouragement have contributed to advancement in equipment safety standards and the rapid development of new helmets, including those designed for specific positions. The NFL's safety protocols and playing rules have been widely adopted at all levels of the game, including youth football. The NFL and NFLPA together conduct annual laboratory testing to evaluate helmet performance.
Jeff Miller, the NFL's executive vice president who oversees player health and safety, accepted the award on behalf of the league.
