By Ken Reed
On the same day this week we learned that Junior Seau suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repetitive blows to the head, we also learned that Bernie Kosar has been struggling for over a decade with persistent pain and other symptoms related to having suffered more than a dozen concussions during his playing career in the NFL.
It’s more evidence against football in general and the NFL in particular.
“Bernie, in effect, put his head through the windshield every Sunday,” said Dr. Rick Sponaugle, who runs a wellness institute in Palm Harbor, Fla. Sponaugle is experimenting with some innovative brain therapies and is treating Kosar. Kosar, despite weeping and slurring his speech during a radio interview last week, says Sponaugle’s treatments are helping him.
Seau committed suicide last year by shooting himself in the chest.
CTE isn’t just about concussions. It can result from repetitive subconcussive hits to the head — like those experienced by offensive and defensive linemen every game. Symptoms range from dementia to depression. You can be sure that CTE will be a big topic of discussion in the upcoming lawsuit brought by former players against the NFL.
League of Fans recently called for high school football to be banned due to the immense dangers to the brain inherent within the game.
— Ken Reed, Sports Policy Director, League of Fans
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
Books
