Comments on: New treatment for concussions helps at least one former player

By: winslow

winslow — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 20:33:14 +0000

Heavily padded helmets would look really weird at first, but they would save lives. The “They signed up for a dangerous task so tough shit” argument reeks of robber barons laughing as coal workers routinely died in mines. A civilized society dictates that the safety level for workers must constantly be improved. NFL owners should not be rolling around naked in billions of dollars while their former employees stare drooling unblinkingly at walls.

By: sportsd

sportsd — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:27:04 +0000

How can you sling BS about players willingly signing up for brain trauma and mock that after they complain about what has happened to them? The athlete you profiled said it best. He’s pissed that the team and the league played down the risk of going back out on the field too soon and not testing for injuries they then could treat. Were you not critical of the coal mine operators who chose not to spend money on safety measures after miners were blown to bits? The NFL didn’t want to bother with it all, spend the dough it would take to take care of these guys and has always been afraid of long term liability.

By: rovibe

rovibe — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 17:13:49 +0000

Some writer on another site interviewed a doctor who said Ben Roethlisberger’s recent history of poor social behavior (which goes well beyond his assault allegations) is indicative of someone who has suffered a frontal lobe injury. He explained that such a trauma can impair a person’s judgement skills and impulse control. Keep in mind, that knucklehead racked his brain in that motorcycle accident in which he wasn’t wearing a helmet. Sounds like he should call this doctor. ‘Amen’ to that… Would be interesting to know if Roethlisberger had a similar personality before the accident, but that part of the story wasn’t reported on.

By: HC

HC — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 16:47:18 +0000

Start with having every player use the Maher mouthguard if your goal is to reduce concussions. Follow that up with the oversized helmet mentioned above. Then commission those with no affiliation with the league to start from scratch with safer equipment – not just helmets, but shoulder pads and maybe a better way to protect knees too.
Lastly, as part of the new CBA, a portion of the revenue needs to be set aside for health care for retired players. The position that Gene Upshaw took, that he did not represent retired players, was ridiculous. Every current player is a soon to be former NFL player.

By: prmpft

prmpft — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 16:42:51 +0000

very good article…i work w/alot of guys who have concussive type injuries – and i 100% agree that it’s part of the job – but good to see treatment options presented & studied to improve their situations…

By: FumbleNuts

FumbleNuts — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 15:24:07 +0000

# dbr1 says: July 11, 2010 1:01 PM
Exactly what type of ‘nutrition and supplements’ are supposed to heal brain tissue?
This is a fraud and I am surprised you are touting it here.
Not exactly a fraud….. but really promising!
http://www.naturalnews.com/028209_BCAAs_brain_injuries.html
Let’s hope this research leads the way.

By: skp14

skp14 — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 14:23:44 +0000

Found this with a Google search. Many others by searching _dr amen concussion nutrition_. NFL Concussion Study http://davepear.com/blog/2010/04/dr-amens-nfl-concussion-study/

By: NationalFelonLeague.com ©

NationalFelonLeague.com © — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 14:04:58 +0000

Maybe you should talk to some military personnel returning from Iraq and getting fit with prosthetics. Or talk to the families of those that don’t return at all. Hate hearing these players whine.
The only good that will come from the NFL awareness is having it trickle down to the high school and Pop Warner level.
Porytraying these players as victims or pioneers leading the way is a joke though.

By: SpartaChris

SpartaChris — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 13:05:19 +0000

“Think of these players like police officers or firefighters. We know it’s a dangerous job, and we own up to it. It’s the same thing for these players.”
And in all three cases the person voluntarily chooses that line of work. They aren’t forced into it and could choose from a myriad of careers, yet they chose a dangerous career knowing full well what the risks are.

By: dbr1

dbr1 — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 13:01:34 +0000

Exactly what type of ‘nutrition and supplements’ are supposed to heal brain tissue?
This is a fraud and I am surprised you are touting it here.

By: lawofmurphy

lawofmurphy — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:58:28 +0000

Whether former players would have played with full understanding of the longtime brain-trauma risks is completely irrelevant. If there is a connection (and there seems to be), it’s a big problem for the NFL. It should be viewed as a threat to the game. Anything less than that is irresponsible on the NFL’s part.

By: ufourya

ufourya — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:23:21 +0000

I don’t know why, in this age of high technology, a helmet can’t be devised that significantly decreases the risk of concussion.
One thing I think should be explored – and it would decrease the risk of injuries to players beyond concussion – is a helmet that is soft and shock absorbent on the OUTSIDE as well as the inside. This seems a no-brainer, eh, or something like that.
Just sayin’. I can’t believe this hasen’t already happened.

By: Gaiterdan65

Gaiterdan65 — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:16:22 +0000

Florio, honestly, as a man who fancy’s himself as educated, this article is extremely dangerous and thoughtless. You make light constantly of the injuries that a large number of football players have to deal with.
When you say things like, “It has become fashionable of late for former players to publicly complain after the fact about the head trauma they suffered while earning hundreds of thousands of dollars per year (or more), and we rarely hears about the many former NFL players who live their lives without difficulty or disability of any kind…” you are essentially doing the same thing that old school coaches used to do. You make light of a serious situation to what, say guys should be tougher and suck up the brain trauma?
As a person who has suffered concussions playing football and in the everyday world, they are serious. Guys aren’t coming forward to be fashionable, they are finally coming forward because the stigma around injuries is starting to fade. Your thoughtless words in this article was essentially saying, “If you get hurt, suck it up pussy, because you make money.”
Go die.
Cheers,
Gaiterdan

By: Steeler79

Steeler79 — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 11:59:57 +0000

I do agree that some of these ex-players who rally against the league because of injuries they’ve sustained is a bit disingenuous. Unless they were playing in the 1950s, the risks of multiple concussions and playing before a concussion has ‘healed’ have been well known for awhile now.
I do think some sort of an insurance plan for retired vets would be great. They should also be forcing everyone to use those oversize helmets. They look stupid, but if everyone wore then no one would care. I read an article on NFL.com this off season about Rams’ OT Jason Smith (selected 2 overall in 2009 I believe) got a concussion early on in the season and they just kept him out the rest of the season as a precaution and he’ll be wearing the concussion helmet this year. Hopefully they make those mandatory (Why NOT?) or at least that players will be more willing to use them after their first concussion.
Hockey makes strides every year in safety equipment for the players, why hasn’t the NFL updated it’s equipment in ages?

By: PurpleNGold

PurpleNGold — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 11:44:06 +0000

Specifically, what dietary changes are needed to help heal the trauma?