Team Neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Dr. David O. Okonkwo, Receives NFLPS’ Top Research Award
Indianapolis, IN (February 27, 2025) – The NFL Physicians Society (NFLPS) awarded the Arthur C. Rettig Award for Academic Excellence to David O. Okonkwo, MD, PhD, the team neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers for his research presented at the NFLPS Scientific meeting entitled “Fencing Response Following Concussion and Recovery Time, Concussion Severity, Outcomes in Professional American Football Players.”
The prestigious award is given annually to an NFL team physician for academic excellence in research in advancing the health and safety of players in the NFL.
“Dr. Okonkwo’s study used the comprehensive NFL Injury Surveillance System database to rigorously evaluate the implications of the fencing response in recovery and return to play following concussion. Their study provides important information that aids the team physician in management of concussions, and represents a great example of the power of the extensive and detailed NFL Injury Surveillance System database.” said Dr. Scott Rodeo, Chair of the NFLPS Scientific meeting and head team physician for the New York Football Giants.
“The NFL Physicians Society has been at the forefront of research to improve player health and safety for athletes at all levels. I am honored to be recognized by this esteemed group,” said David O. Okonkwo, MD, PhD, the team neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Dr. Okonkwo and his team analyzed concussions from 2018 to 2023 and found that players with concussion and fencing response were matched 1:2 to players with concussion with no fencing response. They found that:
- Out of 983 concussions, 5.8% (n=57) exhibited a fencing response.
- Nearly two-thirds occurring in high-velocity positions (defensive backs & wide receivers)
- Fencing response following concussion was not associated with symptom recovery, objective concussion severity or short-term recovery in professional American football
- Fencing response may be an indicator of biomechanical severity but not an indicator of clinical severity
- Players with ADHD or other neurobehavioral disorders may have higher likelihood of exhibiting fencing response with concussion.
Dr. Okonkwo’s collaborators on this program are Aaron Mares, MD, Erin B. Wasserman, PhD, Riju Shrestha, MSPH, Douglas P. Terry, PhD, Gary Solomon, PhD, Allen Sills, MD, Shawn R. Eagle, PhD
Dr. Okonkwo is a professor of neurological surgery and director of the Neurotrauma Clinical Trials Center at the University of Pittsburgh. He is also director of neurotrauma and the scoliosis and spinal deformity program at UPMC Presbyterian. Dr. Okonkwo’s clinical interests are traumatic injuries to the brain and spine as well as scoliosis and spinal deformity.
His research endeavors involve developing biomarkers, advanced neuroimaging modalities and novel therapeutic interventions for brain and spinal cord injury. Dr. Okonkwo is a principal investigator of a national clinical research network (TRACK-TBI) to advance our understanding and treatment of traumatic brain injury.
The Arthur C. Rettig Award was established in 2013 to recognize an NFL team physician for excellence in academic research and advancing the health and safety of players in the NFL. Dr. Arthur Rettig is a highly respected orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine and disorders of the upper extremities. He had been a leading member of the Indianapolis Colts medical staff since the team arrived in Indianapolis in 1984 and had served as head team physician.
The winner of last year’s Arthur C. Rettig Award was Dr. Leslie Bisson, head team physician for the Buffalo Bills.
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