(ReclaimingAmerica.net) – A bombshell Harvard University survey published in JAMA Neurology showed that one-third of former National Football League (NFL) players believe they suffer from a condition caused by repeated head trauma.
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a brain disease thought to be common among football players. The problem is that it cannot be diagnosed while someone is still alive.
This leaves many players worried that their symptoms are signs of the condition worsening over time.
The survey looked at players who were active between 1960 and 2020. Out of the 1,980 who responded, 681 said they believe they have CTE. Over 230 said they’ve had suicidal thoughts, and 176 said they have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.
Dr. Ross Zafonte of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard, a co-author of the study, highlighted this fear.
“People are very obsessed, appropriately, with their concerns about CTE. We’re not trying to invalidate that in any way,” he said. “But treating people for the common things that can only make that pathology worse might make your symptoms better.”
Similarly, Dr. Rachel Glashow, the survey’s lead author, spoke about the study and stated:
“We know from conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, these neurodegenerative conditions that don’t really have treatments or cures at the moment [and] that are really hard to diagnose, a lot of those conditions are associated with some suicidality and thoughts of self-harm.”
Moreover, the study comes amid recent news about Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who suffered another concussion in Week 2 of the season.
Tagovailoa, already known for previous head injuries, was seen curling his fingers while lying on the field, a sign of brain trauma. The player’s 2022 Pro Bowl season was cut short after a series of frightening moments.
In a September game against the Buffalo Bills, he collapsed after taking a hit and later endured another concussion that forced him to leave the stadium on a stretcher.
Because of this, the NFL has been criticized for not doing enough to protect players from concussions.
The league has since updated its concussion protocol, requiring athletes to pass neurological tests before returning to the field if a concussion is suspected. Helmet designs have also been adjusted to reduce the risk of brain injury from contact.
The 2015 movie Concussion, starring Will Smith, brought attention to the disease and raised awareness of the NFL’s perceived lack of action on the issue.
Since then, more parents have expressed concern about allowing their children to play contact sports, fearing concussions. Still, some argue that football’s violent nature is known, and players accept the risks when they step on the field.
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