Arrests

NFL Problems #2: Arrests

All sports deal with controversy, but the NFL definitely has the most. Players are always getting in trouble whether it is domestic violence (which has grown significantly as of late), drugs, or even murder. Here are some statistics over the past 4 years.

Drug/Alcohol Related Arrests Since 2012: 85
(DUI, DWI, possession of drugs, public intoxication, drug trafficking, etc.)

Notable arrests: Le'Veon Bell, Aldon Smith, LeGarrette Blount, Tim Jennings, Justin Blackmon, Josh Gordon (2), Marcell Dareus, Dwayne Bowe.

Domestic Violence/Rape Arrests or Accusations Since 2012: 25

Notable Arrests: Ray Rice, Ahmed Brooks, Ray McDonald (2), Jonathan Dwyer, Greg Hardy, Daryl Washington, Dez Bryant

Murder/Gun Related Arrests Since 2012: 20
(Attempted Murder, Unlawful Gun Possession, First Degree Murder)

Notable Arrests: Aaron Hernandez, Chris Johnson, Aldon Smith, Sheldon Richardson, Elvis Dumervil.




Source: USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/nfl/arrests/

Concussions

 

NFL Problems #1: Concussions

The NFL has had problems with concussions for about 20 years. Concussions are caused by head trauma in which the skull hits the brain. Football players are known to have repetitive head trauma because they tackle head first.  In 2010, the NFL acknowledged that most of its former players are suffering from CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy). This is a life threatening disease caused by head trauma that is usually connected to concussions. 

Roger Goodell, NFL Commsioner since 2006, is commonly blamed for not providing the right safety for football players. Some former players have fought back against the NFL. Many lawsuit have been filed against the NFL, and over 900 million dollars have been paid out for injury settlement. Over the past 3 years, over 600 NFL players have been diagnosed with concussions.

Many NFL deaths have been linked to CTE. In 2012, Jovan Belcher, who was playing for the Kansas City Chiefs at the time, murdered his wife, and the committed suicide in the Chiefs parking in front of many coaches. His brain showed very high signs of CTE post-death, which doctors claim altered his mental health greatly. Belcher suffered 3 concussions in the NFL. Hall of Fame linebacker, Junior Seau, also killed himself when he had CTE. He suffered multiple concussions during his time in the league, and his children blame the NFL for his death.