Why Pittsburgh Steelers Deserve Huge Props for Concussion Program

The Pittsburgh Steelers deserve huge props for beginning the NFL's first ever public service campaign on concussion awareness and education. 

As one of the NFL's most popular teams—and one that has developed a reputation for illegal, fine-causing hits—the Steelers are doing the right thing by stepping to the forefront of the league's growing head-injury problem. 

The campaign, which teams the Steelers with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Sports Medicine Concussion Program, will "provide information on preventing concussion through safe play and proper tackling techniques as well as concussion management," according to Stephania Bell of ESPN.

The Steelers know their share about the NFL's increasing awareness of concussions. 

Linebacker James Harrison has been fined six times for illegal hits—totaling $125,000 in penalties—since the NFL enacted a new safety policy in 2010. He was also suspended for a game in 2011 after delivering a blow to the head that knocked Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy out of a game in December of last year. McCoy suffered a concussion on the play.

The suspension was the first of its kind.

Harrison has been one of the most vocal players against the new rule changes, which protect offensive players from the majority of big hits that have been ingrained into football lore. 

Harrison isn't the only player on the Steelers roster who's received fines for big hits, however. 

Safety Ryan Clark was fined $55,000 during a two-week span in 2011 for hits that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell deemed illegal. 

Linebacker LaMarr Woodley has also been fined in the past for hits. 

The Steelers even went as far as voting against the new collective bargaining agreement last summer, claiming Goodell had too much power to levy fines against players in matters such as those listed above.

In fact, the Steelers have been one of the most active teams in fighting the new rules, fines and suspensions that tagged along with Goodell's safety policy. 

Wednesday's announcement, however, represents a significant step forward in player safety, and the Steelers should be applauded for taking the initiative in this significant area. 

Two important factors ring out from the announcement: proper tackling and concussion management. 

The NFL may never truly fix tackling, and there's probably always going to be reckless players who use their helmet as an attached weapon. It may be a struggle for any program to make significant progress in that realm. But concussion management is something this could help, especially in terms of players who shake off concussions and continue playing in games. 

There are documented cases from around the league, including from the Steelers' own Troy Polamalu. Polamalu told the Dan Patrick Show (via ESPN) that he has hid concussions in the past and continued playing in games even when the medical staff has advised against it:

"

I've had, I believe, eight or nine recorded concussions. We'll have another conversation after I'm done playing football. When you get your bell rung they consider that a concussion -- I wouldn't ... If that is considered a concussion, I'd say any football player at least records 50 to 100 concussions a year.

"

Hopefully, the Steelers' initiative in this program can help curve that "tough guy" attitude when it comes to head injuries. Far too many former players are suffering from the effects of repeated and untreated head-related traumas. 

Even if the program doesn't drastically alter anything about the game, one must still give the Steelers props for the start of such an undertaking. The NFL will be better for it. And the poster boys of safety problems for Goodell will be too.