A new study has shown that 87 out of 91 former NFL players tested positive for brain disease, adding to the ongoing debate over concussions and head trauma resulting from football, according to Jason M. Breslow of PBS.
The Department of Veteran Affairs and Boston University have found through research that chronic traumatic encephalopathy, CTE, was found in 96 percent of NFL players and 79 percent in all of the football players they examined, according to Breslow. CTE is connected with memory loss, depression and dementia and has been seen in former players.
Pittsburgh Steeler and Hall of Famer Mike Webster was the first retired NFL player to be diagnosed with CTE and had suffered from dementia and depression as well as muscle and bone pain, according to Steve Almasy and Jill Martin of CNN. Webster was a center for the Steelers in the 1970s and 80s and playing offensive line led to continuous big hits. According to the research done by brain bank with Frontline, 40 percent of players who tested positive were former offensive and defensive linemen, which is understandable as these players initiate contact with one another on every snap.
CTE is a difficult disease to test for and can only be definitively identified posthumously. Dr. Ann Mckee the director and chief of neuropathology at VA Boston Healthcare System said the numbers are "remarkably consistent," when connecting football with long-term brain disease.
"My response is that where I sit, this is a very real disease. We have no problem identifying it in hundreds of players," said Mckee, via PBS. The NFL seemed to be trying to hide this terrible connection under the proverbial rug, but when Junior Seau committed suicide in May of 2012 the story was headline news.
Seau committed suicide only two years after retirement. After his death he was tested positive for CTE. Seau was a dominant linebacker in the NFL, and the toll of playing 20 seasons in the league definitely affected Seau's brain. Since Seau's death and former players suing the league over head trauma disease, the NFL has tried to limit violent hits.
Judge Anita Brody gave approval in the class action lawsuit settlement between the NFL and thousands of former players. The settlement agreed that retired NFL players would be provided up to $5 million for medical needs associated with head trauma. Brody's decision applies to all players who retired before July 7, 2014, according to CNN.
"We are dedicated to making football safer and continue to take steps to protect players, including rule changes, advanced sideline technology, and expanded medical resources," said an NFL spokesman, via PBS.
The NFL can boast that in its 2015 Health and Safety Report, concussions have fallen 35 percent over the past two seasons, according to PBS. But that doesn't mean concussions still aren't happening, as just in week one both star linebacker Luke Kuelchly and Browns quarterback Josh McCown suffered concussions. The NFL may be improving safety on the field, but it seems that head injuries will likely always be associated with the sport.
