Shatiek Branch

October 21, 2016

The Big Bang of the NFL

Not many sports are as physically demanding on the human body as football. The
physical toll that football players pay is almost impossible to comprehend unless one has actually
played the sport for a significant amount of time. However, until recently any connection
between the hits taken by football players and their health down the road was largely ignored. A
common, yet difficult injury to detect in football is a concussion, the most common traumatic
brain injury (Pearce). A concussion is defined as a brain injury that is caused by a sudden blow
to the head or the body. The blow shakes the brain inside the skull, which temporarily prevents
the brain from working normally (Heiner pa.5). Reports and studies have surfaced shedding
light on just how much damage is inflicted upon the brain due to crippling hits. These studies
suggest that NFL athletes who received concussions suffered lasting damage to the brain, which
opens the gate to a multitude of other health issues such as dementia, Alzheimers disease, and
clinical depression (Pearce). This is an aspect of the game that not many are aware of and it is a
serous issue that needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later. There have been too many
heartbreaking stories such as that of Justin Strzelcyk who heard voices and died in a crash while
fleeing police or that of Andre Waters who shot himself in the head after struggles with
depression (Zarda pa.1). Many current and former players are suffering in silence; this shouldnt
be the case. The National Football League needs to extend a hand to former players debilitated
by head injuries. The problem of concussions and other head injuries in the NFL is one that
needs to be tackled head on.

To begin with, the key to solving the problem of concussions in the National Football
League is awareness. NFL players as well as college players need to be educated in some form
on the symptoms of a concussion and possible long-term effects. These athletes must be aware of
the dangers and realities of this injury. Greg Hadley, a senior linebacker from Colgate University,
had a jaw-dropping experience when he went to a Bedford, Massachusetts laboratory; he got an
up-close view of the shattered brains of dead football players (Gregory). The young man was
able to see what may await him, having suffered four concussions to date and stared in disbelief
at the brains as brown as an actual football (Gregory). Sobering experiences like this are needed
to get the point across that concussions arent something to play with. The statistics are
staggering; there is a one in 1000 chance that a 30-49 year old man will receive a diagnosis of
dementia, Alzheimers or another memory-related disease compared to 1 in 53 chance that an
NFL retiree aged 30-49 will receive the same diagnosis (Gregory). Raising awareness shouldnt
just be limited to players; it should extend to the coaching staff and training staff as well. These
conferences could take place during the offseason or during training camp right before the season
starts. The hope is that players would inform a trainer or coach when they suspect they have a
concussion and that trainers and coaches would be more adept at diagnosing a concussion.
Players suspected of suffering a concussion would not be allowed to return to that same game
and would have to pass a number of tests to be allowed to return to the field. Failure to pass these
tests would result in the player remaining inactive until cleared by doctors. This prevents further
harm through preventative action. The NFL has already taken some steps against the problem of
concussions such as having players undergo neuropsychological testing, having the Mild
Traumatic Brain Injury Committee conduct a study monitoring brain function in retired players,
and implementing a medical plan to cover players diagnosed with dementia (Zarda pa.7).

However, there remains skepticism as to whether there is a link between concussions

suffered during pro careers and health problems down the line. The NFL has been stubborn when
it comes to acknowledging any correlation between the two. The NFL refused to jump on the
bandwagon with a report in which it was found that abnormal proteins were discovered in
players brains similar to those found in 90-year-old dementia patients (Zarda). Critics say that
there are inaccuracies and inconsistencies in these reports, that they are merely scare tactics.
(Zarda). Skeptics who see flaws in these solutions would bring up the point that most athletes
dislike admitting theyre injured in fear of losing a spot on the team or not appearing manly.
Athletes, especially football players, learn to play with pain as former Giants linebacker and Hall
of Famer Harry Carson said, Pain and hurt and being uncomfortable was ingrained in me as a
player (Swift). Skeptics would also mention that coaches cant entirely be trusted either in the
must-win culture of football. Former Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson told the New York Times
how he suffers from depression and mental lapses and that he traces these problems to 2002
when he suffered a concussion (Swift). He claims that his coach, Bill Belichick, continued to
send him into full-contact practices against the advice of the teams trainers (Swift). These are
legit points and concerns, however, there are solutions to these as well.

One way to silence the critics is by continuing to do more research and studies to show
the link between concussions suffered by football players and multiple health issues. As it is,
there is an overwhelming and indisputable amount of evidence such as tissue evidence and
analysis of former players brains (Zarda pa.3). As to the argument that players cant be trusted to
acknowledge an injury, more and more players are realizing the severity of concussions and are
taking no risks (Swift). Also, there can be changes to the equipment used by players like the

helmets. Companies are working on creating safer and more resistant helmets (Zarda). The NFL
should consider adopting these. The critics doubt these solutions would work; the alternative is to
do nothing at all which is unacceptable. Something must be done to prevent football players from
suffering, to prevent reoccurring stories like that of Terry Long who drank a bottle of antifreeze
at the age of 45 (Zarda). Or Mike Webster who is only a shell of his former self, who
contemplated suicide, who placed sad, rambling calls to friends and family when he couldnt find
his way home. This concussion crisis will not go away anytime soon, as a matter of fact it will
only get worse. Players are getting stronger and faster; offensive linemen now average nearly
315 lbs. As Kevin Guskiewicz, the research director at the Center for the Study of Retired
Athletes put it, Is it smarter to assume the risk is there, until proven otherwise, and treat the
players more cautiously or should we assume its not there and risk the chance? (Zarda pa. 9).

Concussions and head injuries in the National Football League are serious problems that
needs a greater amount of attention focused on it. More studies are surfacing detailing the
permanent long-term brain damage associated with multiple concussions. More research must be
done and the NFL must act swiftly. As stated earlier, it all starts with awareness and education.
Neurological tests and better equipment can help tackle this problem as well. Not taking action
not only affects NFL players, but players in every level of football including youth football. The
repercussions are felt throughout each level of football. In the end, there cant be only one
answer to this issue.

Works Cited
Zarda, Brett. "Butting Heads." Popular Science Sept. 2007: 35. Academic OneFile. Web. 11 Mar.
2010. Web.
Swift, E.M. "One Big Headache." Sports Illustrated 12 Feb. 2007: 22. 19 Feb 2010. . Web.
Pearce, J.M.S. "Observations on Concussion." European Neurology 59.3-4 (2008): 113-19. 03
Feb 2010. . Web.

Heiner, Jennifer Ann. "Concussions in the National Football League: Jani v. Bert Bell/Pete
Rozelle NFL Player Ret, plan and a legal analysis of the NFL's 2007 concussion management
guidelines." Seton Hall Journal of Sports and Entertainment Law 18.1 (2008): 255-296.
Academic OneFile. Web. 11 Mar. 2010.