NFL medical adviser Dr. Elliot Pellman retiring

Dr. Elliot Pellman, a controversial person with regard to the NFL's health and safety issues, is retiring from the NFL office.

Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the move in a memo to the teams on Wednesday, and he added that the league will now hire someone to a newly created full-time position of chief medical officer.

USA Today reported it was Goodell's decision that Pellman should retire after nearly 30 years with the NFL and the New York Jets.

Pellman is a rheumatologist, and he served as the chairman of the NFL's mild-traumatic brain injury committee, even though he lacked experience or expertise in brain trauma. ESPN's "Outside the Lines" reported that Pellman was at the forefront of efforts to discredit the findings of scientists regarding the effects of concussions.

According to USA Today, Goodell's memo to the NFL clubs read as follows:

"As we add additional full-time medical resources to our team, it is important to recognize and express our gratitude to Dr. Elliot Pellman, who is retiring after nearly 30 years of service, first to the New York Jets and then to the NFL. We thank Dr. Pellman for his dedicated service to the game and for his many contributions to the NFL and our clubs, and appreciate his willingness to aid in this transition over the next few months.

"We intend to hire a highly-credentialed physician to serve as (the) chief medical officer and work in the league office on a full-time basis. This individual will be responsible for working with our team medical staffs, the NFLPA and our medical committees, as well as the broader independent scientific and medical communities.

"This individual will add to our expertise and help ensure that our clubs have access to the most up-to-date information, that our research funds are spent in an effective and targeted way, and that our players and team staffs receive timely and thorough information on injuries and injury prevention."

The search to fill the new position will be led by a panel of health and safety experts, including Dr. Betsy Nabel, the NFL's chief health and medical adviser.