Talking About Wayne
By Ken Berger
Obviously, there's not enough room in the paper for all the quotes from around the league about Wayne Chrebet. Here's an unedited collection of comments collected and distributed by the Jets today:
Jets Owner & CEO Woody Johnson: “His story is one of that has been told countless times, but bears repeating. He overcame the doubters with persistence and hard work and talent and he followed his dreams. He represented the Jets with class and dignity. We are thankful he is part of our franchise’s fabric.”
Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum: “Wayne Chrebet was a one of a kind player. I spoke a few months ago about turning over every rock in an effort to find the types of players we want on our team. In 1995, that kind of player walked across Hempstead Turnpike and had to convince Harry Fisher, our security guard at the time, to let him into Weeb Ewbank Hall as a rookie free agent. And here we are 12 years later, celebrating a wonderfully productive football career, entirely with the New York Jets. I hope that we are able to find more ‘rocks’ from the likes of which produced Wayne.”
Jets head coach Eric Mangini: “He’s inspiring to players, coaches and fans. He was a fun player to cheer for because of how he came into the league and how much he appreciated his opportunities. As a coach, you hope that all of your players have his level of dedication, toughness and professionalism. You are always grateful to have a player of his caliber on your team, but as an opposing coach, you’re disappointed to have to face him. When I personally coached against him, we spent countless hours and reps trying to stop Wayne Chrebet and were rarely successful. I wish him nothing but happiness and success in his future endeavors.”
Charlie Weis, Notre Dame head coach, Jets assistant coach 1997-1999: “Wayne’s two greatest strengths as a player were as a slot receiver and as a blocker. You could line him up in the slot and no one could cover him. He was also a dominating and willing blocker and as tenacious as they come. Wayne could play on my team any day.”
Boomer Esiason, Studio Analyst, CBS Sports, Jets quarterback 1993-1995: “He is a testament to what hard work and desire can do for somebody. His career has been fantastic and although he’s never been to a Pro Bowl, in my eyes he’s a Pro Bowl teammate. When he arrived at Hofstra I didn’t know who he was. I thought he was a ball boy. I think he was probably 10th on the depth chart at wide receiver. What I do remember is how eager he was to learn, how eager he was to work, and how hard he worked because he wanted it more than anybody in the room. In my estimation he will go down as one of the greatest Jets of all time because he did it for the little guy and the little guy showed what a big heart could do. He had a wonderful career that nobody believed that he could accomplish. He did it with dignity, he did it with class, and he’s been a great friend, and I know nothing but good things for him will happen in the future.”
Bill Parcells, Dallas Cowboys head coach, Jets head coach
1997-99, Jets director of football operations 2000: “Wayne
was a player any coach would have been happy to have. He proved year after year that size is not
really a prerequisite. He certainly is
to be listed among the all-time New York Jet players and among the best I have
been fortunate to have coached.”
Don Maynard, Jets wide receiver and Hall of Famer: “He came to play. He’s a winner and always will be a winner.”
Ray Mickens, Jets cornerback 1995-2004, Cleveland Browns 2005, Jets 2006: “He was the toughest football player and competitor I have ever been associated with, that I’ve ever seen. That guy right there is the epitome of what football means to me.”
Phil Simms, CBS lead analyst, former Giants quarterback: “I used to get upset when I saw articles that said Wayne Chrebet is an overachiever. I felt it did him a major disservice. He is a man with talent and toughness and he took it on the field and achieved. He got as much out of his talent as about any player I have seen in a long, long time. He’s an achiever. He reached his potential, something we all strive to accomplish. He can go and retire and feel good that he gave it his best and it was damned good.”
Marty Lyons, Jets radio analyst, former Jets defensive lineman: “I remember after he had that huge game against Delaware as a senior [at Hofstra]. I remember speaking to his parents and telling them that I thought he could play at the next level. When he came in as a rookie free agent, I recall that he caught everything that was thrown his way and he quickly became a fan favorite. After looking back at his accomplishments after 11 seasons, I truly believe he is the most beloved Jet to ever put on a uniform. He is the blue-collar hero for the people that work hard, the guy who represented all the people that were told they couldn’t do something, and more importantly, he played the game the way it was meant to be played. He played hard every week, he competed hard and played to win, every single week, every single game. He’ll be missed; but never forgotten.”
Romeo Crennel, Cleveland Browns head coach, Jets assistant coach 1997-1999: “Mr. Clutch. Small in size, big in heart, effort and toughness. If you didn’t double him, he’d make the play. He took great pride in his job and the fact that he was a Jet. He was a Hofstra free agent who walked across the street and became a star.”
Bill Belichick, New England Patriots head coach, Jets Assistant Coach 1997-1999: “Just the whole background on him: not drafted, coming into the NFL as pretty much an unknown guy, and really establishing a great role for himself as a slot/third down receiver. One of the best at it that I've coached for or against. He was just a hard guy to cover. … He's a very competitive guy. Good, smart player that I think every quarterback that has ever thrown to him, and there have been a lot of them, had a lot of confidence in him because of his ability to get open and catch the ball. … Until the end, he was still the guy, when was out there, he was still the guy that you have to get, even deep into his career. Part of that is him, but a big part of it is the confidence that the quarterbacks have in him and they continued to go to him even though he was doubled and he still got open. He was a real pain in the neck. He was simply a hard guy to cover.”
Bruce Harper, Jets running back, 1977-1984: “I really admire Wayne and the things he was able to accomplish as a player. Quite a few times people made the comparisons between my career and his career and the fact that we both came from small schools and were told we were too small to play. What Wayne had were gifts: great hands, great anticipation and the ability to beat zones, presses and find ways to make plays. He was, and always will be, fun to root for.”
Ray Lucas, Jets quarterback, 1997-2000, Miami Dolphins 2001-2002, Baltimore Ravens, 2003: “First and foremost, he’s a Jersey guy. We had similar paths into the league. I will always be loyal to him and can’t say enough good things about him. As a quarterback he was exactly what you are looking for. You’d go through all your progressions and reads and but you knew that Wayne would there and he’d do anything he could to make a play for you. In my opinion, he’s the best third-down receiver to ever play the game. He would do anything for his quarterbacks and anything for his teammates. It didn’t matter if it was going over the top of people to make plays, sliding across the field. He played the game like it was meant to be played.”
Pete Kendall, Seattle Seahawks guard 1996-2000, Arizona Cardinals 2001-2004, Jets 2005- : “What always stood out to me about Wayne, as both a competitor and as a teammate of his, was his tenacity. He was a true bulldog. He would stick his nose in there and take on guys going twice his weight and fight them for every inch. He never had any back down in him. He’s the kind of guy you love to have on your team each week because you knew you could depend on him.”
Herman Edwards, Kansas City Chiefs
head coach, Jets head coach 2001-2005: “Wayne Chrebet is the ultimate competitor. He played the game of football with great passion, toughness and
enthusiasm. He had the unique ability
to make the clutch play when the game was on the line. He epitomized the New York fans with his
great work ethic and his never-quit attitude. I am honored to say that I coached Wayne Chrebet. I would also like to thank everything that
Wayne has done in his professional career to represent the National Football
League on and off the field as an example to all of those that follow him. I wish Wayne and his family the very best.”
Jets quarterback Chad Pennington:
“He’s a classic. You here the personnel
people talk all the time about how they are looking for the big, fast
receivers. But ask any quarterback that
ever played and they’ll all tell you that they’d love to have played with Wayne
Chrebet because he was smart, tough and would do whatever it took to make a
play. He understood the game so well
and he understood what it took to win. He was a tireless worker and supported his teammates to the fullest
degrees. I am truly blessed to have
been a teammate of his and I wish him the best of luck. We will always be friends and I cherish our
friendship.”
Jets running back Curtis Martin:
“He inspired me every day. I loved the
way he played and how he never backed down from anything. He was an incredible teammate. He was a warrior; and I always felt you’d
have to kill him to get the upper hand on him. If every player in the NFL had as much heart and desire as he had,
football would be illegal.”
Jets receiver Laveranues Coles: “We came from different backgrounds but the day I walked in here, he took me under his wing and taught me how to be a professional. He knew that I was playing pretty much the same spot on the field, but he pushed me everyday. He is an amazing friend and I love him like a brother.”
Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma: “I
feel cheated that I only got to play two years with him. People say he was undersized, and I have
heard the same thing said about me, but you can’t measure heart and desire,
which he is all about. I am really
going to miss him. He was an
unbelievable player and teammate.”
Giants defensive end Michael Strahan: “Regardless of what team you are on, whether it is in college or in the NFL, everyone always roots for the underdog and that is what Wayne Chrebet always was. He always played with a chip on his shoulder and gave his best. He never had an excuse and that is why he is one of the most respected players of this era. I really consider it an honor to be one of his best friends. Honestly, he’s like a brother to me.”
Jets quarterback Brooks Bollinger: “He loved the game more than anyone I have ever played with or against. Passion, toughness, dedication and a guy that you loved to have in the huddle. He was amazing. Simply amazing.”
Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis: “Wayne is one of the players I will tell my grandchildren about one day and how lucky I was to have met him and played alongside of him. He is a champion. I always loved it when other teams would underestimate him because he thrived on it and would hurt them. He practiced liked he played: full-tilt.
Giants head coach Tom Coughlin: “The thing that says it all for me is that he was a guy who was told he was too small and too slow and he played 11 years in this league, and he didn’t just play. He made the key catches when his team needed them. He was extremely reliable, and he was their go-to guy.”
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Comments (7)
Yesterday Wayne Chrebet received the credit for all the hard work and all he has achieved in his NFL career. As a life long Jet fan i am proud that he played his entire career for the Jets and i agree with what Marty Lyons said. Wayne is probably the most beloved Jet to ever play for them. He beat the odds and his heart,effort and desire was bigger then any God gifted athletic talent. The Jets should consider to retire his number. He deserves it.
IRA
I've had Jet season tickets since 1978 and I'm also a Hofstra grad. I saw every Hofstra home game that Wayne played (& a few road games). The Jets should follow Hofstra's lead and retire Wayne's number. If all the Jet players played with the heart that Wayne exhibited, they would have a ring for each finger.
I was lucky enough to have roomed with Wayne Chrebet in College and better than all the things he has accomplished on the field, the person he is off the field is what i always thought of first when i hear the name, Wayne Chrebet. His ability speaks for itself, and it would be a shame if the NY Jets do not retire his number. He is a inspiration to the average sized athlete, that not only can you make the NFL, you can be great, if you have the heart! Thank you Wayne for 11 years of professionalism and class. Sundays wont ever be the same!!!
www.mahercor.com
Abstract: The Use of a Custom Mandibular Athletic Mouthguard in the Prevention of Concussions in NFL Football Players
Jeffry R Shaefer DDS MS MPH
Objective: Observe the benefit of a mandibular appliance for the control of concussions among football players. Concussions in contact sports are an ongoing problem. In relation to football, Pellman, funded by the NFL, showed that oblique blows to the head causing head acceleration are the most dangerous, while quarterbacks, wide-receivers and linebackers are the type of players most at risk for concussions (1-3). Blows to the chin are dangerous as there is no protection from such a blow to prevent direct transmission of the force to the brain, while forces from other directions can be controlled by the player’s helmet and facemask (4). Various studies have examined the benefit of mouth guards to prevent force transmission through the mandible from blows under the chin (5-13). The consensus from these studies is that mouth guards are successful in protecting oral structures but that their benefit in controlling concussions is unclear. Methods: A case series report. Results: Maher reports excellent compliance, satisfaction, and control of concussions in a case series of 22 New England Patriot football players who used a concussion prevention mouth appliance he constructed (14). Eleven of the Patriots had a prior history of concussions and controlled their potentially career-ending concussions with Maher’s appliance. The use of Dr Mayer’s patented appliance has allowed the New England Patriots football team players to have the lowest number of concussions in the league (14). Conclusion: a retrospective analysis of NFL football players use of athletic mouth guards and the corresponding rate of orofacial injuries and concussions and a prospective study to measure the affect of this appliance on concussion rates in players with and without a prior history of concussion is warranted.
1. Pellman EJ: Background on the National Football League’s research on concussion in professional football. Neurosurgery 53: 797–798, 2003.
2. Pellman EJ, Viano DC, Tucker AM, Casson IR: Concussion in professional football: Location and direction of helmet impacts–Part 2. Neurosurgery 53: 1328–1341, 2003.
3. Pellman EJ, Viano DC, Tucker AM, Casson IR, Waeckerle JF: Concussion in professional football: Reconstruction of game impacts and injuries. Neurosurgery 53: 799–814, 2003.
4. Williams ED. Jaw joint disorders in contact sports athletes: diagnosis and prevention head and neck injuries in sports. In: Hoerner EF, ed. Jaw Joint Disorders in Contact Sports Athletes; Diagnosis and Prevention: Head and Neck Injuries in Sports. Philadelphia, Pa: ASTM STP 1229, American Society for Testing and Materials; 1994.
5. Chapman PJ. The bimaxillary mouthguard: increased protection against orofacial and head injury in sport. Aust J Sci Med Sport. 1985;17:25-28.
.
6. Hodgson VR. Standard Method of Impact Testing and Performance Requirements for Football Faceguards and Mouthguards Impact Test, 7 Load Ring Triaxial Accelerator Model May 13, 1993.
7. Barth JT, Freeman JR, Winters JE. Management of sport related concussions. Dent Clin North Am. 2000;44:67-83.
8. Barth JT, Freeman JR, Winters JE. Management of sport related concussions. Dent Clin North Am. 2000;44:67-83.
9. Proctor MR, Cantu RC. Head and neck injuries in young athletes. Clinics in Sports Medicine. 2000;19:693-715.
.
10. Torg JS, Truex R Jr, Quedenfeld TC, et al. The national football head and neck injury registry: report and conclusions, 1978. J Am Med Assoc. 1979;241:1477-1479.
11. Woodmansey KF. Athletic mouthguards prevent orofacial injuries: a review. Gen Dent. 1999;Jan-Feb:64-69.
12. Francis KT, Brasher J. Physiologic effects of wearing mouthguards. Br J Sports Med. 1991;25:227-231.
13. Tomotaka Takeda, Keiichi Ishigami, Sanae Hoshina, Toru Ogawa, Jun Handa, Kazunori Nakajima, Atsushi Shimada, Tsuneya Nakajima, Connell Wayne Regner Can mouthguards prevent mandibular bone fractures and concussions? A laboratory study with an artificial skull model Dental Traumatolog 21( 3 )Pg 134, June 2005
14. Maher: personnal communication; publication pending
Purpose:
To present to the Academy a case series of subjects using a single arch mandibular appliance to prevent concussion.
Background and discussion:
The claim that athletic mouthpieces worn during contact sports are helpful in the prevention of concussions is controversial. Two trials that have been commonly used to support this claim; Stenger’s study on Notre Dame footballers and Hickey’s cadaver study have methodological problems. In fact McCrory (Br J Sports Med 2001) states that only anecdotal evidence points to a dental appliance effect against concussion. He summarizes:
Although the use of correctly fitting mouthguards can reduce the rate of dental, orofacial, and mandibular injuries, the evidence that they reduce cerebral injuries is largely theoretical, and no clinical evidence for a beneficial effect in reducing concussion rates has yet been demonstrated clinically.
A recent study of the incidence of concussions in college basketball players showed no statistical difference (.35 vs .55 per 1000 exposures) between wearers and non mouthguard wearers (Labelle 2002). Wisniewski (Dent Trauma 2004) found no positive affect for a custom-made mouthguard compared to a “boil and bite” type appliance for the prevention of orofacial injuries or concussions in a study of Division I football players. Barbic observed the effect of the dual arch Brain-Pad appliance worn for one season by Canadian college athletes playing contact sports. Although the Brain-Pad is recommended by the American Boxing Association to prevent concussion, Barbic found it to provide no greater protection when compared to a non-custom mouthpiece in a randomized trail. These studies can explain why many experts in Sports Medicine discount the potential affect of blows to the jaw in the etiology of concussion.
In comparison, Benson’s investigation of hockey players wearing full vs half face shields points to a role of forces directed against the mandible as contributing to the incidence of concussions (1.71 vs 4.71 missed practices). He also found the increased potential for concussion in those players wearing half face shields could be reduced significantly if they wore a mouth guard (5.57 vs 2.71 missed practices). In a laboratory study using lateral blows to the jaw on a skull model, Takeda (Clin J Sports Med 2005) found that wearing a mouth guard decreased (P < 0.01) the distortion to the mandibular bone and the acceleration of the head significantly compared with not wearing a mouth guard (54.7%: to the mandible, 18.5%: to the head).
Gusenbauer proposes three explanations for a positive benefit for the prevention of concussions from the use of a dental appliance:
Dissipation of forces directed to the jaw
Stabilization of neck muscles when clenching on a mouthpiece so as to resist head acceleration
Distraction of the condyle from the glenoid fossa decreasing force transfer via the temporal bone
Conclusion: Concussions in contact sports are a great concern, especially among adolescents. Athletes whom have had a concussion are 4-6 times at greater risk for a second concussion. Powell and Barber-Foss report that 3.9-7.7% of high school and college athletes sustain a MTBI (minor traumatic brain injury) each year. Many of these athletes will continue to play despite these increased risks and feel protected by appliances such as the Maher mouthpiece (see Boston Globe story). The effectiveness of this appliance might or might not be substantiated by a randomized clinical trial to measure it’s affect but such data will allow athletes and parents to make informed decisions about the continued participation in a contact spot. Possibly the positive effect from a dental appliance is limited to a subset of athletes such as those with TMJ disk displacement, forward head posture, children under the age of 14, females, or athletes with a prior history of MTBI. Clearly further study with a randomized clinical trial to answer these questions is indicated.
Purpose:
To present to the Academy a case series of subjects using a single arch mandibular appliance to prevent concussion.
Background and discussion:
The claim that athletic mouthpieces worn during contact sports are helpful in the prevention of concussions is controversial. Two trials that have been commonly used to support this claim; Stenger’s study on Notre Dame footballers and Hickey’s cadaver study have methodological problems. In fact McCrory (Br J Sports Med 2001) states that only anecdotal evidence points to a dental appliance effect against concussion. He summarizes:
Although the use of correctly fitting mouthguards can reduce the rate of dental, orofacial, and mandibular injuries, the evidence that they reduce cerebral injuries is largely theoretical, and no clinical evidence for a beneficial effect in reducing concussion rates has yet been demonstrated clinically.
A recent study of the incidence of concussions in college basketball players showed no statistical difference (.35 vs .55 per 1000 exposures) between wearers and non mouthguard wearers (Labelle 2002). Wisniewski (Dent Trauma 2004) found no positive affect for a custom-made mouthguard compared to a “boil and bite” type appliance for the prevention of orofacial injuries or concussions in a study of Division I football players. Barbic observed the effect of the dual arch Brain-Pad appliance worn for one season by Canadian college athletes playing contact sports. Although the Brain-Pad is recommended by the American Boxing Association to prevent concussion, Barbic found it to provide no greater protection when compared to a non-custom mouthpiece in a randomized trail. These studies can explain why many experts in Sports Medicine discount the potential affect of blows to the jaw in the etiology of concussion.
In comparison, Benson’s investigation of hockey players wearing full vs half face shields points to a role of forces directed against the mandible as contributing to the incidence of concussions (1.71 vs 4.71 missed practices). He also found the increased potential for concussion in those players wearing half face shields could be reduced significantly if they wore a mouth guard (5.57 vs 2.71 missed practices). In a laboratory study using lateral blows to the jaw on a skull model, Takeda (Clin J Sports Med 2005) found that wearing a mouth guard decreased (P < 0.01) the distortion to the mandibular bone and the acceleration of the head significantly compared with not wearing a mouth guard (54.7%: to the mandible, 18.5%: to the head).
Gusenbauer proposes three explanations for a positive benefit for the prevention of concussions from the use of a dental appliance:
Dissipation of forces directed to the jaw
Stabilization of neck muscles when clenching on a mouthpiece so as to resist head acceleration
Distraction of the condyle from the glenoid fossa decreasing force transfer via the temporal bone
Conclusion: Concussions in contact sports are a great concern, especially among adolescents. Athletes whom have had a concussion are 4-6 times at greater risk for a second concussion. Powell and Barber-Foss report that 3.9-7.7% of high school and college athletes sustain a MTBI (minor traumatic brain injury) each year. Many of these athletes will continue to play despite these increased risks and feel protected by appliances such as the Maher mouthpiece (see Boston Globe story). The effectiveness of this appliance might or might not be substantiated by a randomized clinical trial to measure it’s affect but such data will allow athletes and parents to make informed decisions about the continued participation in a contact spot. Possibly the positive effect from a dental appliance is limited to a subset of athletes such as those with TMJ disk displacement, forward head posture, children under the age of 14, females, or athletes with a prior history of MTBI. Clearly further study with a randomized clinical trial to answer these questions is indicated.
Purpose:
To present to the Academy a case series of subjects using a single arch mandibular appliance to prevent concussion.
Background and discussion:
The claim that athletic mouthpieces worn during contact sports are helpful in the prevention of concussions is controversial. Two trials that have been commonly used to support this claim; Stenger’s study on Notre Dame footballers and Hickey’s cadaver study have methodological problems. In fact McCrory (Br J Sports Med 2001) states that only anecdotal evidence points to a dental appliance effect against concussion. He summarizes:
Although the use of correctly fitting mouthguards can reduce the rate of dental, orofacial, and mandibular injuries, the evidence that they reduce cerebral injuries is largely theoretical, and no clinical evidence for a beneficial effect in reducing concussion rates has yet been demonstrated clinically.
A recent study of the incidence of concussions in college basketball players showed no statistical difference (.35 vs .55 per 1000 exposures) between wearers and non mouthguard wearers (Labelle 2002). Wisniewski (Dent Trauma 2004) found no positive affect for a custom-made mouthguard compared to a “boil and bite” type appliance for the prevention of orofacial injuries or concussions in a study of Division I football players. Barbic observed the effect of the dual arch Brain-Pad appliance worn for one season by Canadian college athletes playing contact sports. Although the Brain-Pad is recommended by the American Boxing Association to prevent concussion, Barbic found it to provide no greater protection when compared to a non-custom mouthpiece in a randomized trail. These studies can explain why many experts in Sports Medicine discount the potential affect of blows to the jaw in the etiology of concussion.
In comparison, Benson’s investigation of hockey players wearing full vs half face shields points to a role of forces directed against the mandible as contributing to the incidence of concussions (1.71 vs 4.71 missed practices). He also found the increased potential for concussion in those players wearing half face shields could be reduced significantly if they wore a mouth guard (5.57 vs 2.71 missed practices). In a laboratory study using lateral blows to the jaw on a skull model, Takeda (Clin J Sports Med 2005) found that wearing a mouth guard decreased (P < 0.01) the distortion to the mandibular bone and the acceleration of the head significantly compared with not wearing a mouth guard (54.7%: to the mandible, 18.5%: to the head).
Gusenbauer proposes three explanations for a positive benefit for the prevention of concussions from the use of a dental appliance:
Dissipation of forces directed to the jaw
Stabilization of neck muscles when clenching on a mouthpiece so as to resist head acceleration
Distraction of the condyle from the glenoid fossa decreasing force transfer via the temporal bone
Conclusion: Concussions in contact sports are a great concern, especially among adolescents. Athletes whom have had a concussion are 4-6 times at greater risk for a second concussion. Powell and Barber-Foss report that 3.9-7.7% of high school and college athletes sustain a MTBI (minor traumatic brain injury) each year. Many of these athletes will continue to play despite these increased risks and feel protected by appliances such as the Maher mouthpiece (see Boston Globe story). The effectiveness of this appliance might or might not be substantiated by a randomized clinical trial to measure it’s affect but such data will allow athletes and parents to make informed decisions about the continued participation in a contact spot. Possibly the positive effect from a dental appliance is limited to a subset of athletes such as those with TMJ disk displacement, forward head posture, children under the age of 14, females, or athletes with a prior history of MTBI. Clearly further study with a randomized clinical trial to answer these questions is indicated.
With mouthpiece, dentist tackles concussions
NFL says more evidence needed
By Keith Reed, Globe Staff | March 30, 2006
If New England Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch never has another
concussion, he can thank former boxing champ ''Marvelous" Marvin Hagler and Gerald Maher, his Weymouth dentist.
In 1980, the Brockton-bred pugilist called Maher, a specialist in jaw
structure and facial pain, to ask why his crushing punches floored some
opponents, while others walked away from them.
Maher's answer was that the alignment of the jaw made some people
susceptible to concussions -- catch somebody with his mouth in the wrong position, and it's lights out. He created a mouthpiece that kept Hagler's jaw in the right spot, preventing Hagler -- and many other professional athletes since then -- from suffering the injury, which results from a violent jarring of the head that renders the victim unconscious and in some cases induces vomiting or permanent
memory loss.
Now Maher, who has filed for a patent, is pushing the National Football
League, which doesn't require its players to wear mouthpieces, to study
whether his device or others like it could protect athletes from concussions that might end their careers -- or worse.
''For safety reasons, I think it would help every player, and I'm interested in the safety of every player in the NFL," Maher said.
He has fitted about two-thirds of the Patriots for the devices, and
hand-delivered a mouthpiece to former Patriots nose tackle Ted Washington in Houston on the day of the 2004 Super Bowl.
None of the players Maher has outfitted have suffered concussions using the equipment, he said. The Patriots reported no concussions last season.
That's not enough to convince league officials to change their policy,
though.
Elliot Pellman, football's medical liaison and chairman of its concussion committee, said a few athletes' success stories can't supplant the hard medical research the league requires before it endorses a piece of equipment. Maher is not the first dentist to claim that a mouthpiece prevents concussions, but none has offered scientific evidence to back it up, he said.
Morever, other devices have had unintended consequences for players who wore them for safety. Pellman recalled that in the 1990s, players began wearing ProCaps, an apparatus that slipped over their helmets and was supposed to prevent concussions. The league responded to the product's growing popularity among players and tested ProCaps. It found no evidence that ProCaps reduced concussions, but did find an increased risk of neck injury.The league recommended that players cease using them.
''The New England Patriots might be wearing this mouthpiece, but can anyone guarantee me that there may not be an incidental component that occurs that is not desirable?" Pellman said.
A Patriots spokesman declined to comment.
But scores of athletes, from high school footballers to professional
basketball stars, have pushed Maher's device between their teeth, convinced it will help protect them.
Maher said he has applied for a $125,000 grant from the NFL to fit a team other than the Patriots -- perhaps a college football squad -- with his mouthpieces so their effectiveness can be objectively studied. Pellman said he's unaware of the status of that application, but that the league, along with Wayne State University, is building a sophisticated model to study the effectiveness of several mouthpieces, including Maher's, in preventing concussions.
If the NFL wants more evidence, Duxbury High School's football coach might be worth calling. Eleven of the team's players had previously suffered concussions, some three or four times. After hearing about Maher's mouthpieces, the coach, Dave Maimaron, asked the dentist to fit the players who had suffered concussions. There were no concussions last season, and Duxbury went undefeated, taking a state championship.
''I almost feel like we had an advantage this season," Maimaron said.
''Everybody should be wearing this thing. I'd be very surprised if that
doesn't happen."
Concussions are common in volatile sports like boxing, whose very object is to hit your opponent harder than your opponent hits you, and football, where 200- to 300-pound men collide and send each other into the ground over and over.
Maher's mouthpieces are designed on the principle that keeping an athlete's jawbone and temporal mandibular joint properly aligned absorbs the force of blows that would otherwise literally rattle their skulls and cause a concussion. The most susceptible position, he argues, is when the mouth is tightly closed. Then, the force of a blow can travel unobstructed up the jawbone and into the skull. Helmets protect against concussions and other injuries caused by blows to the crown of the head, but their chin straps keep players' jaws in precisely the position that Maher argues puts them at risk.
His mouthpieces separate the jawbone from the joint slightly, helping to absorb the blows. They also fit tightly over the bottom row of teeth, letting football players talk to each other. Besides Branch, Patriots Asante Samuel, Vince Wolfolk and Daniel Graham wear the mouthpieces.
Maher said he doesn't think he can eradicate concussions, but he thinks many are preventable.
''You would never say to an athlete that they're not going to get a
concussion," he said. ''But I want to put them in the best position to try and prevent that."
Keith Reed can be reached at reed@globe.com.
© Copyright 2006 Globe Newspaper Company.
I feel like we were cheated out of a few more productive years due to the concussions, but I will always remember #80. If Tannenbaum can truly find find more players with the heart and determination of Chrebet, the Jets will soon be competing for a championship.
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