NFL Commits $30 Million to FNIH

The National Football League has committed $30 million to the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) to support medical research affecting prominent athletes and research relevant to the general population. This is the largest philanthropic gift the NFL has given in the league’s 92 year history.

With the contribution, the NFL becomes the founding donor to a new “Sports and Health Research Program”, which will be conducted in collaboration with institutes and centers at NIH. The FNIH hopes to welcome other donors including additional sports organizations to the collaboration.

Specific plans for the research will be developed. Potential areas for research include:

• Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
• Determining severity of concussions
• Understanding the potential relationship between traumatic brain injury and late live neurodegenerative disorders especially Alzheimer’s disease
• Chronic degenerative joint disease
• Transition from acute to chronic pain
• Sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes
• Heat and hydration-related illnesses and injury

 “We hope that this grant will help accelerate the medical community’s pursuit of pioneering research to enhance the health of athletes, past, present, and future,” said Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner. “The research will extend beyond the NFL playing field and benefit athletes at all levels and others, including member of our military.”

FNIH, a non-profit 501(c)(3) was established by Congress to support NIH raises private sector funds for a broad portfolio of unique programs that complement NIH’s activities. For information on FNIH, go to www.fnih.org.