Okay, I have to admit that since Plaxico Burress shot the Giants out of the playoffs this year I have not been the fanatic NFL fan that I was last year. I have watched the playoff games and do have favorite players and coaches but not necessary a favorite team. I am looking forward to Super bowl on sunday. I pick the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Last year amongst my many NFL posts, I wrote about the NFL players and concussions based on the fitness of their helmets. On tuesday, January 26th, Boston University held a news conference in Tampa to announce that Tom McHale, former NFL lineman 1987 – 1995 had Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Tom McHale died May 2008 at the age of 45. CTE is a condition that leads to lack of insight, poor judgement, decreased concentration and attention, inability to multitask and various memory difficulty. Those affected by CTE can develop dementia in their 40’s and 50’s. CTE is believed to be caused by repetitive head trauma and has heightened the argument about the proper prevention and treatment brain treatment in football. The condition is generally identified after death. To date 6 out of 6 deceased NFL players aged 36 – 50 have been found to have CTE.
The NFL pamphet continues not to acknownledge the cumulative effects of multiple concussions. NFL stated that they are waiting to review the CTE cases in a peer reviewed journal.
Yours In Good Health
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/28/sports/football/28brain.html?ref=football
