National Football League

NFL pledging $100 million more to address head injuries

Published Sep. 14, 2016 2:30 p.m. ET

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NEW YORK (AP) The NFL says it will spend an additional $100 million to develop new technology and support more medical research into the growing problem of head injuries.

Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the ''Play Smart. Play Safe'' initiative in an open letter Wednesday.

He writes: ''When it comes to addressing head injuries in our game, I'm not satisfied, and neither are the owners of the NFL's 32 clubs. We can and will do better.''

Under the initiative, $60 million will be devoted toward developing technology such as improved helmets and $40 million will be allotted for medical research.

The NFL and its partners already are spending $100 million on research and new technology. Despite that, the league has been heavily criticized in its handling of head trauma over the decades. It reached a settlement that will pay about $1 billion over 65 years to more than 20,000 retired players.