American Football League Europe establishes strong medical leadership with Dr. Olaf Baack

Experienced medical leadership

Dr. Olaf Baack leads this important mission.

He is a surgeon, trauma and orthopedic specialist, and emergency physician with 28 years of experience in professional sports. His long career in sports medicine gives the AFLE a strong medical foundation from day one.

Dr. Baack combines medical expertise with practical experience from professional sports environments. His goal is clear: maximum safety for every player.

Building strong medical structures

Even before the first official American Football League Europe game is played, Dr. Baack is heading the league’s Medical Commission. Together with the league and the teams, he is creating clear medical standards and processes.

These structures ensure that all clubs follow the same professional guidelines when it comes to injury prevention, treatment, and return-to-play decisions.

Head injury spotter program

A key project under Dr. Baack’s leadership is the introduction of the Head Injury Spotter program.

This system helps to identify possible head injuries during games quickly and reliably. Specially trained personnel monitor the game and support medical teams in recognizing critical situations. This allows fast decisions and immediate medical evaluation when needed.

The concussion board

Dr. Baack is also the founder of the Concussion Board.

This board was established in cooperation with the BG Concussion Centers in Hamburg Boberg and Halle. Its purpose is to systematically monitor, evaluate, and manage head injuries across the league.

With this structure, the AFLE ensures that concussions are treated seriously, documented carefully, and managed according to professional medical standards.

Safety on and off the field

Dr. Olaf Baack is excited to work within established and transparent medical structures from the very beginning. His work reflects the AFLE’s strong commitment to responsibility and long-term player health.