Fatalities from head and cervical spine injuries occurring in tackle football: 50 years' experience

Football head and cervical spine fatalities have been dramatically reduced in the decades from 1975 to 1984 and 1985 to 1994, compared with the decade from 1965 to 1974. The one preventive measure that has been given most of the credit is the 1976 rule change prohibiting initial contact with the head when blocking and tackling. Will it be possible to continue the reduction in head and cervical spine fatalities in the next decade, 1995 to 2004, or will it be necessary for more significant :charges to take place?.