NFL owners vote to allow a medical timeout

PHOENIX -- NFL owners have voted to prevent another Julian Edelman situation, giving a third party power to stop a game if a player appears disoriented.

The league announced that the owners voted to allow a certified athletic trainer at each stadium to call a medical timeout if a player appears to be disoriented. During the Super Bowl, New England's Julian Edelman appeared that way after a hit by Seattle's Kam Chancellor. But Edelman remained in the game and eventually caught the winning touchdown pass.

Under the new rule, a spotter at the game would communicate with the side judge if it's determined a player is showing obvious signs of disorientation or is unstable. Neither team would be charged for a timeout -- and teams can replace the affected player only during this stoppage. The opposition also would be able to substitute a player to match up.

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"It came a little bit from the health and safety committee just saying, 'We've got these spotters (certified athletic trainers),'" McKay said. "'They've got a really good vantage point. They've got technology in their booth. They're communicating pretty well with our trainers and doctors, and we've got a pretty good rhythm going there.' Why would we miss a play when a player should come out?"

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12551912/nfl-owners-vote-allow-medical-out

I like the move.