At the VA Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, a lab seemingly like any other holds a group of scientists doing research. Bennet Omalu, a neurologist, studies a computer screen. However, this lab is unlike any other. Surrounding them are vats filled with typical levels of deteriorated brains of 80 year old men. However, none of these brains belonged to anyone who made it past 80. They were all brains of former NFL big hitters. All of them with a history of concussions.
Often times, when we think of the result of concussions, we think of extreme brain damage or death. What if the actual effects of concussion are not immediately visible. What if they do not appear until years later.
Andre Waters played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals between 1984 and 1995 and was All-Pro hard-hitting NFL safety. He was highly regarded as on of the hardest hitters during his NFL tenure. On November 20, 2006, Waters committed suicide. He was 44. His brain was 85 and in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. His family had donated it to the lab at the VA for Omalu to study.
Justin Strzelczyk was an offensive linemen who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1990 to 1998. In 2004 and at the age of 36, he died in a car crash following a high speed pursuit to evade police. He was clinically depressed and had bipolar disorder. His brain was also studied at the VA by Omalu at was also determined to be deteriorated to the level found in an 85 year old man.
Former teammates NFL guard Ralph Wenzel and Hall of Fame tight-end John Mackey reunite at an assisted living facility. The only problem is that the two men cannot remember each other. Their wives help the men by showing pictures of themselves on the playing field cheering together. But neither man can remember each other for more than a few moments. In a separate incident, Mackey’s family discusses an incident in which he became confused and enraged after seeing Marvin Harrison formerly of the Indianapolis Colts wearing his 88 jersey. Both Wenzel and Mackey suffer from dementia.
Christopher Nowinksi, a former football player, professional wrestler, and Harvard graduate, discusses findings with scientists. He writes a book titled Head Games: Football's Concussion Crisis. After studying numerous brains of athletes like Waters, they have discovered a few unexpected and shocking results. A person with 3 concussions is 3 times more likely to become depressed and 5 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Athletes were at the greatest risk when an earlier concussion had not healed. Over half of all players in the NFL were being sent back into games following concussions and hits that had even rendered them unconscious.
In 2007, the co-chairman for Concussions Committee of the NFL and lead neurologist, Dr. Ira Casson, denies that any of this is true. Part of the video can be seen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4NbU_HaB3Y
The issue became hot this past September and ultimately ended up before Congress in late 2009. After reviewing the scientific evidence, the NFL realizes it must make changes. The rules are changed to prevent helmet to helmet contact, teams must have independent doctors, players must pass strict tests before returning to the field, and Dr. Ira Casson resigns. The NFL Player’s Association enacted the “88 Plan” in honor of John Mackey, which supplies former players with $88,000 in nursing home care and $50,000 for adult day care. The NFL now supports Nowinski and Omalu’s research. Ultimately, the NFL has changed its position and actively tries to protect its players.
Head injuries are a serious, but an unavoidable aspect of football. However, coaches and trainers must remember that the players are people and not merely an instrument to win games. A coach’s decision to play a professional or high school student before their concussion has fully healed can have serious consequences later in life. Athletes will often beg to return to the game, but it is the responsibility of ethical coaches to make the decision to protect their athletes from long-term injuries. Unfortunately this is often not the case, as discovered in Nowinski’s research. As potential coaches for the next generation, we need to change the way we think or potentially change our players’ ability to think in the future. We should all remember what long term affects our decision have on our players and do what is best for them.
Patrick Hernandez
Social Foundations of Coaching
ND 2010
