Report: NFL Pressured ESPN Into Backing Out Of Concussion Film

[ralaw]

Can you show me a list of dead MLB or NBA players who had CTE? You honestly can't be equating ankle pain the rest of your life to having a mushy brain.

IMO the entire "ZOMG....brain damage, CTE......DON'T LET UR KIDS PLAY FOOTBALL!!" thing is way overblown. I commented on your argument about, "My kids aren't going to be the ones kill themselves for your enjoyment." IMO that sort of statement is poor, because in reality sports by their nature put undue damage on our bodies (brain included), which could lead to issues later in life. I just think that sort of statement is poor. I had a good friend die on the basketball court. I've seen former athletes go into depression after high school because they didn't receive a scholarship. If your concern is protecting and coddling your child then sports might not be the thing for them.

Did you know that women's soccer has the highest rate of concussions in sports? Where is the outcry from parents who won't let their daughters play soccer? IMO the NFL has made too much of this story, which is why it has become so big. This past football season my wife's middle school football team had like 15-20 kids miss multiple games because of fear of concussions. A girl on the basketball team missed half the season because of it. I just don't get it.

[FedEx227]

You keep bringing up concussions. Read what Larry and I have said. Read the studies. It's not concussions. It's the way the sport of football is played. It's sub-concussive head trauma that you simply do not get in any other sport save for boxing.

People are making too much of CONCUSSIONS, I totally agree. People assume guys getting clocked is what's making their brains look like a 90 year olds when they are in the 30s. It's not, it's playing football. It's unavoidable. That's all I'm saying and that's why I've said I don't care if they don't change the game, it's the nature of the beast. You play football, there's a good chance you will suffer some type of brain damage. The proof is in the numbers and the studies. http://www.bu.edu/cste/

[ralaw]

You keep bringing up concussions. Read what Larry and I have said. Read the studies. It's not concussions. It's the way the sport of football is played. It's sub-concussive head trauma that you simply do not get in any other sport save for boxing.

People are making too much of CONCUSSIONS, I totally agree. People assume guys getting clocked is what's making their brains look like a 90 year olds when they are in the 30s. It's not, it's playing football. It's unavoidable. That's all I'm saying and that's why I've said I don't care if they don't change the game, it's the nature of the beast. You play football, there's a good chance you will suffer some type of brain damage. The proof is in the numbers and the studies. http://www.bu.edu/cste/

My issue is people looking at a few former football players and coming to the conclusion that people shouldn't play football. IMO that argument ignores the millions of people that played football and have lead quality lives afterwords.

[FedEx227]

How many years was a designated University-funded Center making a conscious efforts to collect the brains of ex-football players for the purpose of studying?

We're looking at a very small window now where the CSTE has done this type of stuff. Would we have thought Chris Henry may have had underlying brain damage in 1975 after he died? Without the CSTE, we likely would've just said "Eh, he was a weirdo" now we're starting to piece together that maybe he was a weirdo because he had the brain of a 78-year-old. Ditto for Seau, etc.

Sure, there are millions that led quality lives, but when has that ever been a reason to avoid something with clear health issues. Millions of people smoke without dying of lung cancer — but I'm still going to be smart and not take my chances. Just common sense.

This whole brain damage/football thing is all about knowledge and understanding. Nobody is telling you to run your life based on it, but there's now a ton more information about it. Just as smoking — if you like to do it and enjoy it or it gives you pleasure, go ahead. Just understand there are risks involved.

[ralaw]

How many years was a designated University-funded Center making a conscious efforts to collect the brains of ex-football players for the purpose of studying?

We're looking at a very small window now where the CSTE has done this type of stuff. Would we have thought Chris Henry may have had underlying brain damage in 1975 after he died? Without the CSTE, we likely would've just said "Eh, he was a weirdo" now we're starting to piece together that maybe he was a weirdo because he had the brain of a 78-year-old. Ditto for Seau, etc.

Sure, there are millions that led quality lives, but when has that ever been a reason to avoid something with clear health issues. Millions of people smoke without dying of lung cancer — but I'm still going to be smart and not take my chances. Just common sense.

This whole brain damage/football thing is all about knowledge and understanding. Nobody is telling you to run your life based on it, but there's now a ton more information about it. Just as smoking — if you like to do it and enjoy it or it gives you pleasure, go ahead. Just understand there are risks involved.

As it has always done as science progresses it will continue to uncover issues that certain activities have on our health. There will be a time when science will recommend that we all live in an individual bubble so as to not do anything that could be a detriment to our health.

[FedEx227]

Or you can just take in information and make your own decisions as a human?

[ralaw]

Or you can just take in information and make your own decisions as a human?

Unfortunately it really isn't that simple, because once science gets involved lawyers get involved and this is why the NFL has forced itself to change the way the game has been played. Eventually, the decisions are taken away.

[FedEx227]

Don't use the NFL's actions as a representation of the greater information system. It's all a show.

The NFL doesn't want YOU or it's viewers to know that the sport of football is dangerous. They want you to think that they are cleaning up a game that can't be cleaned up. They'll tout safer helmets, more padding, not tackling with the crown of your helmet, etc. but it's all fluff. It's ignoring the larger issue. They want to win a lawsuit and carry on their business.

[ralaw]

I wonder if Aaron Hernandez's lawyers have considered using head trauma from playing football as a possible defense?

[Tailback U]

I like Larry's styrofoam analogy because its contradicts his whole argument.

I get what you're trying to say but it's a stupid analogy because styrofoam is soft and leather helmets are softer than what is being used today.

The research on CTE is pretty new. Chris Henry was a WR his whole life and had symptoms of it yet linebackers and linemen who played their whole lives at that position might not have it.

Obviously, football is dangerous and everyone knows it. I do believe the NFL is trying to make the sport safer. The rule changes immediately show that. But you guys can believe the big bad NFL loves watching former players kill themselves if you want to.

[NAHSTE]

I get what you're trying to say but it's a stupid analogy because styrofoam is soft and leather helmets are softer than what is being used today.

The other thing to consider with the egg analogy is that it's not the impact to the shell that is causing long term damage. It's the yoke rattling around inside the shell.

The research I have read asserts that the impact of the brain bouncing inside the skull is worse than the initial blunt force to the outside of the head. Or think of it the brain ias a crash test dummy with no airbag, after the exterior impact to the car, the driver files face first into the steering wheel or through the windshield, causing more damage.

With the size and speed of the athletes now, the sheer G-force of the collisions is staggering. They are getting in dozens, if not hundreds, of high speed car crashes in a single work day.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Screw making the game safe. Much like boxing by it's nature it won't be safe. Most of these dudes have been playing football their entire life, once their careers are over many of them simply don't have any skills or the desire to translate into the "real world," so they jump on a lawsuit to get some CASH!!!. Lawyers have caused all of this. The NFL should just pay off these lawsuits and make players watch videos on the risk and have them sign health waivers and let them play football the way it is supposed to be played by GROWN ASS MEN!! ROAR!!!!!

Much like what happened with Dustin Keller these rules have caused players to perform tackles/hits that once were considered dirty, such as diving at the knee of a player. I don't see the NFL too concerned about that.

Completely agree that it's a waste of time to try to make the game safer. All it does is ruin the product, and for very minuscule gain in safety in the big picture.

As for the bold, you can bet everything you own that tackling below the thighs will be outlawed. Legal tackling will soon be restricted to chest to thighs. Book it.

Also, say good bye to the three point stance & kickoffs. I give both less than a decade.

[JimLeavy59]