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Super Bowl Medical Roster = 27 Doctors And Staff

You'd think with all of the hubbub and hype that goes into the Super Bowl, everything would be Super-Sized including the medical care.

But the numbers tell a different story, namely, the numbers are no different. Do the math of medical personnel tending to the injuries and illnesses of the game -- and it adds up to 27. The same number that staffs any other regular season game in the NFL.

Here's the breakdown for both the Seahawks and the Patriots. Each team has:

2 athletic trainers -- to assess and treat injuries

2 orthopedic surgeons -- to care for bone and joint injuries

1 primary care doctors -- for general medical problems as well as concussions

1 neurotrauma specialist -- for concussions, head and spinal injuries

1 chiropractor -- adjustments after a rough hit, or just to loosen up some joints

Up in the booth is an independent/unaffiliated trainer -- to look for problems that may not be seen on field level. (Especially important for concussions.)

To treat both teams (shared):

An ophthalmologist -- for eye problems. Incidentally, each team has more than a dozen extra pair of contacts for each player who wears them -- and loses one on the field.

A dentist

A radiology tech to take X-rays at the stadium

An airways specialist -- meaning someone who can stick a tube down a severely injured player's throat if necessary, under any conditions, with the clock of oxygen ticking away

EMTs -- to transport a player to the hospital if needed. Multiple EMTs needed in case another transport is needed.

That's to say nothing of the countless behind-the-scenes people who selflessly give of their time and skills -- in some cases skills that you hope are never needed. Hospitals are overstaffed with extra docs, nurses and others on call in case of mass casualties. First responders and disaster specialists are also just outside the stadium in the event of a catastrophe.

So, if your favorite team throws a pick or fumbles a handoff, that'll be the worst of your day.

And everyone else, tasked to keep others well, have a day where they don't need to even make a play.

Dr. Dave Hnida is CBS4's Medical Editor. He blogs about the latest studies and trends in the health world. Read his latest blog entries, check out his bio or follow him on Twitter @drdavehnida.

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