Friday's health and safety news from the world of football:
- Former NFL player Steve Gleason, who is suffering from ALS, about the impact of the Ice Bucket Challenge phenomenon with his eye-tracking technology. With the help of friends, he took the Ice Bucket Challenge earlier this week.
- on the technological changes made for Riddell's new SpeedFlex helmet, focusing on the University of Arkansas and coach Bret Bielema.
- that it will be a victory for St. Louis Rams rookie defensive end Michael Sam if he is cut before the season begins. Sam is the first openly gay player to be drafted in the NFL.
- NFL vice president of officiating Dean Blandino expects the rash of defensive penalties once the regular season begins.
- how the University of Pittsburgh is taking part in a government-funded concussion study.
- that players and leagues are benefitting from the University of South Carolina's concussion studies.
- at the helmet studies conducted at Wake Forest University.
- that only 10 of 44 provincial and national organizations representing high-risk sports had a concussion protocol, including its major football groups.
- Abbott and the Department of Department are developing a blood test for concussion evaluation,
- that the Federal Trade Commission has warned retailers about the claims that mouth guards can prevent concussions.
-- Bill Bradley, contributing editor
