Brain disease, injury and football
Someone I know one who likened football to bulls crashing into
each other…and nothing more. She cannot see,
and subsequently she cannot appreciate, the beauty and strategy of the
offensive and defensive matchups; she only sees the violence.
As for me, I recognize the power, speed, impact, and the tactical
science and art of the game. I love
football. But, the thought of someone suffering
permanent brain injury for the rest of his life because of it is ridiculous to
me.
Following this month’s tragic murder-suicide involving a Kansas
City Chiefs Jovan Belcher linebacker, the issue of brain trauma, concussions
and pro football is back in the headlines.
Let’s face it, football players take blows to the head in
practice and in game situations all the time. And, medical professionals will
tell you that you don’t have to lose consciousness to have experienced head
trauma or brain injuries.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a
concussion causes chemical changes in one’s brain. That jolt to the head “can change the way
your brain normally works.” The
Atlanta-based health organization also states it can lead to changes in mood
and behavior.
Do brain injuries trigger violent reactions leading to arguments,
physical altercations and more serious and deadly behaviors?
There’s a new study on brain trauma and pro football out
this month from the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy at the Boston University
School of Medicine. The center’s
findings show that of 35 football players, mostly at the professional level,
whose brain tissue was examined posthumously—all but one showed evidence of brain
disease.
The findings also show problems begin when repeated blows to
the brain are not allowed to heal, and with each blow after that, the damage
gets worse. In its later stages, that,
according to the study, can lead to rage, aggression, paranoia and suicidal
thoughts.
I don’t think society needs to rid itself of football. The NFL is doing all it can, some say too
much, to minimize head and helmet hits to defenseless players in hopes of
reducing concussions.
But, this whole “play through the pain” business that some
players advocate is absurd; at its least, and dangerous, at its worst. There’s more at stake here than playing hurt;
it’s about injury and possibly death. It’s
also about the violence and aggression in players off the field.
Of this I feel certain, without a properly functioning
brain, a person is a detriment to himself or herself and those around them.
Wise up…money is important, no doubt. But, NO AMOUNT OF MONEY is worth a brain
injury. In this life, all you really
have are your name and reputation. And without good health and a properly functioning
brain, neither will amount to much of anything.
So, what is the answer here?
I wish I knew. But, I do know
that I get just as much of a thrill seeing a good “hit” in a football game as I
do seeing a 90-yard punt or kickoff return.
I know that a couple of concussions don’t always lead to brain disease,
and that there are plenty of reasons people commit murder-suicide. I also know that like all fans, I’ll
continue to watch and cheer on the game, until someone comes up with a solution.
Copyright 2012 Artis
Media Group All rights reserved.
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