The American 7s Football League (A7FL), known for its no helmets, no pads format, has appointed Dr. Arthur Jason De Luigi as its first Chief Medical Advisor. Dr. De Luigi, Chair of the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Director of Sports Medicine for the Mayo Clinic Arizona, will oversee the league's safety initiatives.
David Isaacs, UFC Co-Founder and A7FL Advisory Board head, emphasized that safety remains the league’s top priority despite its viral popularity and expansion to 32 teams nationwide. Dr. De Luigi's role includes assembling a medical advisory team focusing on various sports medicine aspects, such as cardiopulmonary issues, musculoskeletal, and neurological injuries.
Dr. De Luigi plans to implement an injury surveillance system to gather detailed injury data, aiming to identify and mitigate risks. He also highlighted the paradoxical danger of helmets in football, advocating for the A7FL's helmet-free approach to potentially reduce head injuries.
Dr. De Luigi’s extensive experience includes roles with the NBA, Washington Wizards, Washington Mystics, Washington Nationals, DC United, and Washington Spirit. His expertise in concussion management and sports medicine will be crucial as the A7FL expands its safety protocols.
The league's CEO, Sener Korkusuz, expressed gratitude for Dr. De Luigi’s involvement, anticipating that his guidance will enhance the A7FL's commitment to player safety.
