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.