NFL official denies accusations league tried to influence concussion research

The co-chairman of the NFL's Head, Neck and Spine Committee says accusations that the league attempted to influence concussion research in its favor are untrue.

Dr. Richard Ellenbogen told USA TODAY Sports that he wasn't contacted by Congress before the release of a report that concluded the NFL tried to influence a government research study on football and brain disease despite previously committing to a $30-million grant without restrictions.

"We know there are long-term risks of traumatic brain injury, and we need to know the incidence and prevalence," Ellenbogen said Monday. "Is it one in a million or is it 100 in a million? That was the entire thing that got blown up.

"I never talked to Congress. No one ever asked me my opinion. I had two private conversations with (Walter Koroshetz, director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke), and this is a lesson I guess: Big Government can crush you if you disagree with them. I'm trying to protect the kids."

The congressional report concluded the NFL tried to remove Boston University researcher Dr. Robert Stern, who has a history of criticizing the league, from the research project. The report identified Ellenbogen as one of the primary opponents of Stern's involvement.

"I wasn't on that phone call. (Koroshetz) got it wrong. He got it 100 percent wrong," Ellenbogen said of the allegation he opposed Stern's involvement and tried to push the NFL not to fund BU's study when he personally would benefit if the league didn't.

"I talked to him about the longitudinal study, not about the BU (proposed study). That is not true. I had a private phone call with him and I would take a lie detector tomorrow. Absolutely not."