It all began one day in 1990 when Steelers neurosurgeon Dr. Joe Maroon broke the news to coach Chuck Noll: His quarterback, Bubby Brister, would not be able to play in an upcoming game because of a concussion.
Noll was perplexed. He told Maroon that Brister looked fine and acted fine all week, and wanted to know what evidence-based data led Maroon to that decision. Maroon said he was merely abiding by guidelines drawn up by experts on concussions that said a player with a concussion must sit out a minimum two games. The National Football League did not have specific guidelines at the time.