^^NCSU88 – two things the DoD & the NFL have in common:
1. Certain of their occupations are known to cause serious brain injury
2. Both of them would rather punt on the problem than deal with it now.
The DoD has some valid excuses on the matter. The NFL does not. If you notice the stuff the NFL throws cash at to get headlines — it is super long-term research like CTE research (hmm… let’s wait 20 years to see how things progress). They are trying to protect their cash cow now. (I know there are also examples to the contrary) I have been involved in brain injury research for the DoD and also had discussions with the NFL, NFL teams, trainers, and associated research centers. Trust me, these NFL guys don’t want to fix the problem — or at least, not if it costs them their golden TV $$$ goose.
I love football, but the reality is that there is conclusive evidence that playing football as it is played today causes irreparable brain injury. I don’t think football should be allowed to be played professionally – a 20 year career between high school, college, and pros is simply too much for a human brain to take. You end up with these tragic situations. It is sad and unnecessary.
In the long term, pro football as it is played today is doomed… we can only close our eyes to the truth for so long. With the right rules changes and protections, amateur football could survive. People can choose to do things that are risky or harmful, but a civil society shouldn’t prop up such choices.
