Doctor says new rule might have affected Super Bowl outcome

The NFL’s new rule calling for a medical timeout when a player appears possibly concussed might have affected the outcome after a Super Bowl play involving Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman. Edelman (pictured) appeared dazed after a hit by Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor in the fourth quarter. New England was in an up-tempo offense and Edelman remained in the game. Soon after, he caught the winning touchdown pass. Dr. Richard Ellenbogen, co-chair of the NFL’s Head, Neck and Spine Committee, said Wednesday that 90 percent of concussions can clear within minutes. So had a medical timeout rule been in place for the Super Bowl, Ellenbogen said Edelman might have immediately tested positive for a concussion, been removed from the game and not caught the TD pass. – AP