Hall of Famer Jack Youngblood jokes that he can't remember how many concussions he's had.
Then he gets serious, recalling the damage he's absorbed since he first started playing football when he was 12.
"What have I done?" Youngblood said. "I have to ask that question. You just don't know. We haven't defined it completely yet. That's one of the issues we're talking about here today."
Youngblood spoke during a break from the first meeting of the Mackey-White Traumatic Brain Injury Committee on Tuesday in Palm Beach, Fla. The committee was formed by the NFL Players Association and includes professional athletes, past and current NFL players, doctors and researchers.
The group wants to open a dialogue on brain injuries in professional football, discuss the latest research and begin developing recommendations to keep players safer.
The committee was named in honor of two Hall of Famers: former Baltimore Colts tight end John Mackey, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and defensive lineman Reggie White, who died at 43 after retiring from the NFL.
"It's something very close to my heart," Youngblood said. "I became much more aware of it as I was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and got to know John Mackey more than just a guy at a cocktail party, and to see how ravaging brain injury and brain trauma can be."
BEARS: : The NFL's medical committee is discussing giving players echocardiograms after the death this month of defensive end Gaines Adams.
Adams died of an enlarged heart, something an echocardiogram can detect. NFL teams give extensive physicals to players.
VIKINGS: : Minnesota will have to wait to hear from quarterback Brett Favre about whether he'll play next season.
Coach Brad Childress says he won't set a deadline for the 40-year-old quarterback to decide.
In other news, cornerback Cedric Griffin will have surgery to repair his injured left knee and may not be ready for the start of next season.
FALCONS: : Atlanta, looking for an improved pass defense, hired Tim Lewis as the team's secondary coach.
Lewis coached the Seahawks' defensive backs this season and is a former defensive coordinator with the Steelers and Giants.
AUTOGRAPHS: : Raymond Berry, a Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver for the Baltimore Colts, will be in Severna Park on Saturday to sign autographs.
Berry will appear from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Front Row Sports Cards, 537 #1E Ritchie Highway. Cost is $27 in advance, $30 at the door. Call 410-544-3341.
Obituary: : Two-time 49ers Pro Bowl punter Tom Wittum died in Antioch, Ill. He was 60.