The practice of medicine is an aspect of all sports and is essential for player participation and as a result, the maintenance of the sport as a whole. Despite there being this evident relationship between the two, medicine is considered a universal practice, yet sport is not. Therefore, the concept of sport and the importance it upholds in society varies based on culture. This is demonstrated through Dr. Bennet Omalu, and the recent discovery and publication of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This breakthrough has altered society’s perception of contact sports. However, this discovery would not have been possible had it not been for Dr. Omalu’s cultural background resulting in his differing beliefs from the rest of the Western world.
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This includes justice for those suffering with CTE, and newly established preventative measures to reduce the prevalence of CTE in sport. As such, there was a one billion dollar lawsuit regarding compensation for present and former football players suffering from CTE (“NFL Makes $100m Pledge to Increase Research into Concussion”, 2016). Their claim is that the NFL and its medical staff were aware of the dangerous conditions these players are or were subjected to, yet did nothing to enhance player safety (“NFL Makes $100m Pledge to Increase Research into Concussion”, 2016). Since then the NFL has allocated millions of dollar towards the development of the “Play Smart, Play Safe” initiative which will fund further research regarding health and injury in sport, as well as educate individuals on player safety (“NFL Makes $100m Pledge to Increase Research into Concussion”, 2016; Johnson, 2016). In addition, according to the NFL Player Association this the leading health concern in football (Johnson, 2016). The “Football Players Health Study” at Harvard University focuses on new ways of diagnosing and treating such injuries (Johnson, 2016). This has resulted in a potential advancement regarding Tau protein in the brain (Johnson, 2016). This feature is associated with CTE and other brain conditions, including Alzheimer’s (Johnson, 2016). However, none of this would have been possible had it not been for Dr. Omalu’s discovery and publication of
This includes justice for those suffering with CTE, and newly established preventative measures to reduce the prevalence of CTE in sport. As such, there was a one billion dollar lawsuit regarding compensation for present and former football players suffering from CTE (“NFL Makes $100m Pledge to Increase Research into Concussion”, 2016). Their claim is that the NFL and its medical staff were aware of the dangerous conditions these players are or were subjected to, yet did nothing to enhance player safety (“NFL Makes $100m Pledge to Increase Research into Concussion”, 2016). Since then the NFL has allocated millions of dollar towards the development of the “Play Smart, Play Safe” initiative which will fund further research regarding health and injury in sport, as well as educate individuals on player safety (“NFL Makes $100m Pledge to Increase Research into Concussion”, 2016; Johnson, 2016). In addition, according to the NFL Player Association this the leading health concern in football (Johnson, 2016). The “Football Players Health Study” at Harvard University focuses on new ways of diagnosing and treating such injuries (Johnson, 2016). This has resulted in a potential advancement regarding Tau protein in the brain (Johnson, 2016). This feature is associated with CTE and other brain conditions, including Alzheimer’s (Johnson, 2016). However, none of this would have been possible had it not been for Dr. Omalu’s discovery and publication of