(WSCR) – The NFL is trying to increase the amount of games in the regular season, as well protect the players’ safety and avoid a lockout of next season.

Accomplishing all of this could become a daunting task. So NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is seeking the help of some of the league’s greats.

Hall of Famers Ronnie Lott and John Madden will co-chair an NFL panel aimed at improving player safety.

Goodell announced the NFL Player Safety Advisory Panel on Tuesday. It will consist of former NFL players, coaches and general managers and make recommendations to Goodell on various safety issues.

Other committee members are former players Antonio Freeman, Patrick Kerney, Willie Lanier, Anthony Munoz, former coach Marty Schottenheimer and former general manager Ernie Accorsi.

The NFL said the panel is supposed to produce recommendations to improve player safety by reviewing rules, equipment standards and game video, among other things.

NFL executive Ray Anderson said Goodell wants input from former players and coaches. The announcement comes a day after New Mexico Sen. Tom Udall asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate what he says are misleading claims in the selling of new and reconditioned football helmets.

In his letter to FTC chairman Jon Leibowitz, Udall says he is “troubled by misleading marketing claims by Riddell, a leading helmet maker that supplies the official helmet to the National Football League.”

Udall also wants the FTC to “look into potential false and deceptive practices related to the reconditioning of used helmets.”

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