Hearing on NFL head injuries adds ex-players Johnson, Turley, and Rev. Sharpton as witnesses

Panel adds Johnson, Turley, Sharpton as witnesses

WASHINGTON — The House Judiciary Committee says retired boxing champion Thomas Hearns, former NFL players Ted Johnson, Kyle Turley and Bernie Parrish, and the Rev. Al Sharpton are among witnesses who will appear at next week’s hearing on head injuries in football.

The committee will hold a session called “Legal Issues Relating to Football Head Injuries, Part II” on Monday in Detroit. At a hearing Oct. 28 in Washington, lawmakers questioned NFL commissioner Roger Goodell about the league’s approach to concussions.

Since then, Goodell has announced stricter return-to-play guidelines that make it tougher for players to get back on the field after head injuries. He has made every team enlist an independent neurologist who can be consulted when players have concussions.