March 27, 2011

Genetic Research on Sports Injuries Takes an NFL Veteran to a California College

Genetic Research on Sports Injuries Takes an NFL Veteran to a California College 1

Photo by Noah Berger for The Chronicle

Once an NFL linebacker, James Kovach has developed an undergraduate course on sports injuries at Dominican U. of California. He has a particular interest in concussions; he suffered four of them as a player.

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close Genetic Research on Sports Injuries Takes an NFL Veteran to a California College 1

Photo by Noah Berger for The Chronicle

Once an NFL linebacker, James Kovach has developed an undergraduate course on sports injuries at Dominican U. of California. He has a particular interest in concussions; he suffered four of them as a player.

By David Glenn

San Rafael, Calif.

From 1979 to 1985, James Kovach was a linebacker for the New Orleans Saints. But you wouldn't find him much at Mardi Gras or on Bourbon Street. During his off-seasons, he was back at his alma mater, the University of Kentucky, earning a medical degree. After he retired from football, he topped that off with a law degree from Stanford University.

Today Dr. Kovach spends many of his hours talking with friends and former teammates who are experiencing the long-term effects of