Football

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Lifestyle
The recent report confirmed what was generally believed. Football is dangerous. Brain damage was found in 99% of the professional players whose brains were studied post-mortem. Even providing for statistical variations, the results seem clear and are troubling. The NFL will, no doubt, take steps to address the problem -- changes to rules to ameliorate the most injury-causing plays, and public relations to combat the bad press. But will it impact the fans? Although I am not an avid football fan, I watch my share during the season and I'm increasingly questioning what I am watching...and why? Am I watching the gladiators of another time? And, if so, what does that say about me?

Comments

Fred Klein

I saw the great John Mackey, my fraternity brother, at the end and it was so sad to see this vital intelligent man so reduced.
Cayce Crown

I've never been a huge fan, but as I get older and more aware, it's not anything I enjoy watching.
Some doctors have suggested that OJ was affected by all his years playing...
Daniel Schwartz

I love the game. Never played much but enjoy watching. I think the next steps will be improved advancements in protective helmets. There is enough information today for players or future players to consider the risks going into this. Given the money and fame it entails, I can't see the game changing too much. The gear will.
Corey Bearak

We did not use the helmet when I learned the game. Teaching the game and playing the game using the players with these new helmets as ICBMs changed the game. My era was bump and run and physical running but the spacing -- closer quarters meant less change of those injuries. The game likely will not go back in time so I suspect flag football is in the offing and less of us will watch.
Flo Feinberg

Maybe we should consider any significant head injury as a potential causative factor in dementia. Although I grew up with brothers and had sons, I always hated football, wrestling and boxing.....I think I know why!!

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