I write this letter to day to call for a greater awareness for the concussion crisis taking place in the National Football League. Football is the most watched sport in the United States and arguably one of the most dangerous. Thankfully, football has been put in the spotlight in recent years for the concussion crisis that is taken place but there is still not enough being done. Concussions acquired in football are drastically altering athlete’s lives once they leave the game, particularly NFL players. The main reason football is still being played is because of its huge market and revenue. There are many lobbyists fighting for its survival and this can be dangerous because they are fighting against the truth and science. The safety and value
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Bennet Omalu’s discovery of Chronic traumatic encephalopathy in 2002 after examining NFL Player Mike Webster’s brain. Even after Dr. Omalu made his discovery the NFL repeatedly denied that concussions were linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The NFL’s Mild traumatic brain injury committee went after Omalu’s research and demanded Neurosurgery retract his paper. It took several athletes taking their life and their brains to be examined before people started to realize the true effects concussions can have. In 2005 Terry Long and Andrew Waters killed themselves. Their brains were examined by Dr. Omalu and found to have CTE. It took until 2009 for a league spokesman of the NFL to acknowledge there is potential for long term problems with concussions. Shortly after, many lawsuits were filed. From 2009 many game changes have been made. In 2013, The lawsuits from former players suing the NFL are consolidated and settled, with the NFL paying out $765 million without admitting …show more content…
People need to begin talking about it more and asking questions. People also need to press for grater educational programs that can inform athletes, parents, and coaches. It is only fair for an athlete to know what they are up against and the potential repercussions of playing the game. A common theme with Ex-NFL players is that if they knew what they know now about the dangers of football they would have never played. It is crucial that people are informed about the truth. People most take NFL views on concussions with a grain of salt given their staunchly pro-football bias. For parents, coaches, athletes, and the general public awareness can begin with you looking into the dangers of football and passing that knowledge on to other people. For anyone reading this letter many steps need to be taken so the general public has a better awareness but it can start with
Bennet Omalu’s discovery of Chronic traumatic encephalopathy in 2002 after examining NFL Player Mike Webster’s brain. Even after Dr. Omalu made his discovery the NFL repeatedly denied that concussions were linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The NFL’s Mild traumatic brain injury committee went after Omalu’s research and demanded Neurosurgery retract his paper. It took several athletes taking their life and their brains to be examined before people started to realize the true effects concussions can have. In 2005 Terry Long and Andrew Waters killed themselves. Their brains were examined by Dr. Omalu and found to have CTE. It took until 2009 for a league spokesman of the NFL to acknowledge there is potential for long term problems with concussions. Shortly after, many lawsuits were filed. From 2009 many game changes have been made. In 2013, The lawsuits from former players suing the NFL are consolidated and settled, with the NFL paying out $765 million without admitting …show more content…
People need to begin talking about it more and asking questions. People also need to press for grater educational programs that can inform athletes, parents, and coaches. It is only fair for an athlete to know what they are up against and the potential repercussions of playing the game. A common theme with Ex-NFL players is that if they knew what they know now about the dangers of football they would have never played. It is crucial that people are informed about the truth. People most take NFL views on concussions with a grain of salt given their staunchly pro-football bias. For parents, coaches, athletes, and the general public awareness can begin with you looking into the dangers of football and passing that knowledge on to other people. For anyone reading this letter many steps need to be taken so the general public has a better awareness but it can start with