Questions Arise as NFL Appoints Medical Chief with Ties to the Patriots
The NFL appointed Boston-based Dr. Elizabeth Nabel as its first chief health and medical advisor Monday. Nabel is the President of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a Professor of Medicine at Harvard University.
“We are excited to have Dr. Nabel’s insight as we continually seek ways to make our game better and safer,’’ said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, in a statement. “The game is safer than it has ever been, but not as safe as it will be with advisors like Dr. Nabel providing expertise.’’
A world-renowned cardiologist, Nabel carries an impeccable record in her field and as impressive a resume as you’ll find. That said, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s decision to put her in charge of the NFL’s medical protocol is drawing skepticism due to her relationship with the Patriots organization.
“Nabel is president of Boston’s prestigious Brigham and Women’s Hospital, which is a partner with the Kraft Group (Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s holding company) in a health-care center bearing the family name at the Patriot Place retail complex near Gillette Stadium,’’ The Sporting News reported. “On the health center website is a photo of Nabel in a group that includes Josh Kraft, Robert’s son and president of the team’s charitable foundation. Kraft family members have sat on the boards of both Brigham and Women’s and the affiliated Massachusetts General.’’
It’s well-known that Goodell and Kraft are very close. Kraft came to Goodell’s defense after the botched Ray Rice investigation, and details of the friendship were widely reported in the wake of the Deflategate scandal.
The NFL can ill afford a conflict of interest scandal right now. The league already faced harsh criticism when the Cowboys won a playoff game in part thanks to a controversial no-call by the referees, and the NFL’s head of officiating was spotted on the Cowboys’ party bus last offseason.
Aside from Nabel’s relationship with the Krafts, the NFL’s decision not hire someone with more experience with head injuries has raised some eyebrows. The concussion epidemic is costing the league hundreds of millions of dollars and counting.
However, the NFL has formed committees of medical experts in neurology, cardiology and orthopedics, so it’s not as if Nabel will be the only voice in the commissioner’s ear. Nabel will reportedly work with the NFL one day per month, while maintaining her positions at Brigham and Harvard. Her role is being dubbed as an advisory role more than anything.
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The appointment of a CMO is a step in the right direction for the NFL, but the league still has a ways to go on player safety. And like most of Goodell’s decisions in recent memory, this one is not without its critics.
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