Speaking of head injuries...

by tom slick on Sep 30, 2009 3:11 PM EDT

The problem of head trauma of all types, and its cumulative effects on players, is increasingly at issue in the NFL. It's now been documented that sudden deceleration of the head, repeated over time, is linked to future dementia and all sorts of terrible brain health issues (article here, good links too). This isn't only just linked to concussions, but to "routine", legal contact experienced in the NFL.

It's certainly newsworthy on multiple levels. The players' union will likely be a catalyst for future game rule changes, and changes in the CBA. The human tragedies and lives ruined are inestimable. There's bound to be debate over how much risk a football player should be asked to accept in the performance of his job, given the high salaries.

Florio at PFT seems to have latched on to this issue, for whatever reason. He's posted several informative articles on the subject and seems to stay pretty current, if this topic interests anyone.

Let's be careful out there, Jerious.

This FanPost was written by one of The Falcoholic's talented readers. It does not necessarily reflect the views of The Falcoholic.

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The NFL has spent a long time stamping out controversy surrounding this issue, but it seems as though that’s beginning to change. If there’s a way to make things safer for the players so they can have long, fruitful lives, it needs to happen soon.

by Dave Choate on Sep 30, 2009 3:17 PM EDT reply actions

Another link

Here. Not directly related to this story, but here too.

It’s unfathomable to me that many NFL players are slow to change over to helmets that are reported to be “better” against concussions (like the Ridell Revolution, etc.) because they “look ugly”. The NFL needs to mandate guys having the best gear, stiffer fines for helmet-to-helmet hits, and not letting guys with concussion symptoms back into games & maybe even having to sit out games to better evaluate (it looks like they’re at least moving in the right direction with most of these).

Heck, another link here. Will Carroll (injury expert) has been preaching on concussions for a few years now, although I can’t find one of his links right now…

by orang3b on Sep 30, 2009 4:20 PM EDT reply actions

How much can be done about it?

Equipment and rule changes might improve the frequency of concussions, but I wonder if anything can really be done about the Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy injuries, given the violent nature of the game. If you’re tackling or blocking someone trying to run past you, how in the world can you mitigate the effects of sudden deceleration? Those pesky laws of physics and nature are really hard to overcome, ya know?

Personally, I’d like to see the NFL or the NFLPA set up some kind of trust fund (financed out of union dues) for the worst cases, they can afford it. The league is probably not as enlightened as me, though. They might view it as an irreversible step down a slippery slope to financial Armageddon.

by tom slick on Oct 1, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Malcolm Gladwell

Just put out an in-depth article in The New Yorker comparing head injuries in the NFL to dogfighting. While I don’t 100% buy the comparison, it is well worth a read. Tons of info on concussions, dementia, etc. Very thought-provoking stuff.

by orang3b on Oct 14, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions