New York Giants owner John Mara provided a candid critique of the NFL's concussion protocol, noting that errors have been made in its application through the 2017 season.
The league, along with the NFLPA, is investigating whether the protocol was properly applied to hits on Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and Houston Texans quarterback Tom Savage, prompting questions about whether the safety measure is being used effectively.
"Whenever you're dealing with human beings there's going to be mistakes made," Mara said Wednesday via NFL.com. "And there were mistakes made there. They haven't completed their investigation yet. But in almost every case with the concussion protocol, we get it right. But those we get wrong end up being highly publicized and that's what ended up here."
Mara said the NFL should aim to be perfect when applying the protocol.
"There were some breakdowns there which they're still looking into," Mara said. "You want to be perfect but when you're dealing with human beings and emotions of the game sometimes mistakes are going to be made."
Although the concussion protocol is meant to limit the effects of brain trauma, there have been errors this year, and Mara is correct to point out the flaws in an ever-evolving system.
