After watching the movie, “Concussion”, and the documentary “League of Denial”, I feel as though it is important that more people know about the dangers of football related injuries. I think that this is a growing problem that needs a solution, however, I do not think football should be annihilated. The dangers in football are evident, but there is danger in your everyday life. If people lived their lives according to the opinions of others, then the balance of life would not be right and we would have everyone living in a false normalcy. Dr. Bennett Omalu and his research has helped expand the growing sports medicine industry and the growing need for research in this little known area. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is a progressive
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In October 1994, Merril Hoge, a previous running back for the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers, retired due to the concussions he had sustained. Following Merrill 's retirement, in December of 1994, the NFL commissioner, Paul Tagliabue, again, diminished the importance of concussions. Tagliabue claimed “On concussions, I think is one of these pack journalism issues, frankly… There is no increase in concussions, the number is relatively small… The problem is a journalist issue.” (Lauren Ezell, 2013) Following Tagliabue’s announcement, Leigh Steinberg, agent for retired NFL players, held a conference in January 1995 in Newport Beach, CA on the effects of concussions. Players listened to medical professionals speak about the signs and symptoms of a concussion and the dangers that concussions …show more content…
However, in March of 1997, the New-Return- to- Play guidelines were introduced. The guidelines were made by the American Academy of Neurology. They said that repetitive concussions can cause brain damage and players should be removed from the game if if they lose consciousness or show concussion symptoms 15 minutes after the initial hit. In 1999, former professional football player, Mike Webster, began to claim that he suffered dementia caused by years of playing football. Later on that year, the NFL determined Mike Webster to be permanently disabled. This information was withheld from the media until Frontline reporters, Steve Fainaru and Mark Fainaru-Wada discovered it. Webster’s attorney then came to the conclusion that withholding evidence made the NFL even more suspicious because they kept it from the media. “It’s pretty devastating evidence,” he said. “If the NFL takes the position that they didn’t know or weren’t armed with evidence that concussions can cause total disability — permanent disability, permanent brain injury — in 1999, that evidence trumps anything they say.” (Lauren Ezell,
In October 1994, Merril Hoge, a previous running back for the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers, retired due to the concussions he had sustained. Following Merrill 's retirement, in December of 1994, the NFL commissioner, Paul Tagliabue, again, diminished the importance of concussions. Tagliabue claimed “On concussions, I think is one of these pack journalism issues, frankly… There is no increase in concussions, the number is relatively small… The problem is a journalist issue.” (Lauren Ezell, 2013) Following Tagliabue’s announcement, Leigh Steinberg, agent for retired NFL players, held a conference in January 1995 in Newport Beach, CA on the effects of concussions. Players listened to medical professionals speak about the signs and symptoms of a concussion and the dangers that concussions …show more content…
However, in March of 1997, the New-Return- to- Play guidelines were introduced. The guidelines were made by the American Academy of Neurology. They said that repetitive concussions can cause brain damage and players should be removed from the game if if they lose consciousness or show concussion symptoms 15 minutes after the initial hit. In 1999, former professional football player, Mike Webster, began to claim that he suffered dementia caused by years of playing football. Later on that year, the NFL determined Mike Webster to be permanently disabled. This information was withheld from the media until Frontline reporters, Steve Fainaru and Mark Fainaru-Wada discovered it. Webster’s attorney then came to the conclusion that withholding evidence made the NFL even more suspicious because they kept it from the media. “It’s pretty devastating evidence,” he said. “If the NFL takes the position that they didn’t know or weren’t armed with evidence that concussions can cause total disability — permanent disability, permanent brain injury — in 1999, that evidence trumps anything they say.” (Lauren Ezell,