If you frequently visit my blog, you surely have noticed how active I've covered the issue of concussions in professional sports recently. This type of injury is a serious concern particularly for the National Football League (NFL) who is facing hundreds of lawsuits from former players who are experiencing some negative effects of undocumented concussion injuries during their heyday. As part of my ongoing coverage, we just learnt that the National Football League is taking some steps to address the issue.

According to sources, the NFL is teaming up with General Electric for a four-year initiative to develop brain-imaging technology that will effectively detect concussions and the creation of materials for helmets and protective gears that will better protect its players from permanent disability. The NFL is putting in $50 million initially to start the project.

The project was initiated in light of recent damaging wrongful death lawsuits that questioned the NFLs integrity and motives. The latest one came from the family of future Hall of Fame inductee, Junior Seau. The family claims that the NFL knew the risks of concussions but continued to market the sport’s ferocity. With its popularity and longevity hanging in the balance, the league’s top brass decided to act proactively, sooner than later.

Seau suffered through depression and mood swings allegedly brought about by multiple, undetected concussions. He committed suicide last year and his brain was donated to researchers. The team found that he suffered from a neurodegenerative brain damage.

Last week, the NFL Players’ Association released the results of their health and safety survey where they found out that 78 percent of active players do not trust team doctors and medical staff citing a doctor in San Diego as a clear example of a medical practitioner known to commit malpractices while continuously employed by the team. The Union also announced that the players will donate $100 million to Harvard University for comprehensive Health and Safety research.