Comments on: Another former player comes down with ALS, or something just like it

By: radioboy20010

radioboy20010 — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:37:03 +0000

Whether it is ALS or something akin to it(think M. Ali–does he have Parkinson’s or not?) the results are debilitating for the former player.
My sister died of ALS, she wasn’t a football player, but it is a horrible way to leave the planet.
If brain injury causes problems later on(when the player is off the NFL health insurance plan) then shame on all of us for drooling for “harder hits”, and other pseudo-tough guy horsepucky.
Having people maimed for life for our entertainment is borderline sick, to reiterate my point.

By: Skepticat

Skepticat — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 00:39:07 +0000

The supposition by the NY Times that those with head trauma may not have ALS is NOT the conclusion of the research study. The folks at Hardball.com should read the journal paper. Any neurologist or researcher will tell you that a diagnosis of ALS in an athlete that suffered head trauma is surely ALS, or in the family of motor neuron disease (which is the more accurate term for ALS). The question is, does head trauma lead to motor neuron disease (MND)? As well, someone above states that exposure to fertilizer may cause ALS. This is somewhat irresponsible to state since there is no data or conclusion that prove that, or even can state that with some level of assurance. Environmental factors may play a roll in the disease, but no one can conclusively say that is true.
The reason this is all somewhat vague is because of the lack of proper funding of the disease. The true need is in creating therapeutic development for patients so patients don’t get a 3-5 year diagnosis. With effective treatments, people can live longer lives and discoveries can be made about the impact of head trauma on MND, and whether or not specific environmental factors can trigger the disease.

By: JoeSixPack

JoeSixPack — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:48:05 +0000

Turner is a class act – he admits he’s been far from perfect but isn’t trying to sugar coat his life
Based on the Boston Globe story about this a few days ago it sounds like Turner is courageously dealing with this much like he did his opponents throughout his career
His efforts to help others with ALS or ALS type disorders may wind up being his most significant and lasting legacy
ALS may eventually take his life but it doesn’t sound like Turner’s about to let the disease take away his dignity.

By: boltschick

boltschick — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:42:26 +0000

Amazing that virtually no progress has been made on this terrible disease since it was discovered.
Happy to see MLB try to raise awareness of it on 4th of July.

By: dabbflappy

dabbflappy — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:05:50 +0000

Thanks for banging drum on this issue.
It’s the best work you can do.
Big thumbs up!

By: JSpicoli

JSpicoli — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:57:48 +0000

Steve Smith is a former FB, and a great one at that. He blocked for Marcus and Bo.

By: The Real Shuxion

The Real Shuxion — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 11:16:04 +0000

I donate towards fighting ALS more than any other charity. Not patting myself on the back. I am just saying that ALS is one of the worst diseases out there and I believe we need to find a cure or at least something to ease the pain of the process.

By: iluvfootball

iluvfootball — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 11:00:36 +0000

To jmac1013; the point was that the symptoms MIMIC ALS, not that the players actually have ALS.

By: PriorKnowledge

PriorKnowledge — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 10:14:06 +0000

Unless they can protect the players better, I think it is fair to say that football may go the way the boxing. Just another crazy violent gladiator-type sport that only poor people play.

By: jmac1013

jmac1013 — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 10:05:13 +0000

There are plenty of people with ALS that have not played football or have not had head trauma. For me, a connection between football and ALS is a jump.

By: Tim_Stead

Tim_Stead — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:53:22 +0000

That Real Sports show also documented multiple head injuries sustained by Lou Gehrig, the man whose name is associated with ALS.. Gehrig was knocked out cold on more than one occassion and amazingly was back in the lineup the next day. The researchers believe that long rest periods after a concussion is vital to minimizing their damage to brain tissue. Gehrig’s consecutive game streak (over 2000) played a major role in him dying before his 40th birthday.
I highly recommend everyone watch that segement of Real Sports. An eye opener.

By: radioboy20010

radioboy20010 — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:44:28 +0000

When the story came out about Mike Webster I finally began to realize that professional football had slipped into some kind of medical “Twilight Zone”.
We have all the “tough-guy” fans who want blood each week. We have owners who fundamentally don’t care about safety as long as they make money. We have players willing to sacrifice their bodies for money.
Back in the old days there were injuries, but those guys wore leather helmets, for goodness sake and few of them were brain-damaged or handicapped for life.
What’s the difference? It’s size and speed.
The collisions the modern athlete endures are much worse. Back in the 60′s, a big offensive lineman was 250 pounds. Many were in the 235 range. Many of the backs were under 200 pounds. The NFL should seriously look at a weight limit. I suggest 300 pounds, which is big enough. You could argue that being that heavy is unhealthy in other contexts, as well.
As yourself this: how many baseball and basketball players end up with head injuries that shorten their lives, or in a wheelchair in their early 60′s.
Sorry, but it’s time all football fans face the facts: the players are maiming themselves for our entertainment, something that borders on sick.

By: Pottsville Maroons = 1925 NFL Champs

Pottsville Maroons = 1925 NFL Champs — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:37:31 +0000

I remember Kevin Turner when he played in Philly. Hard-nosed player. Sad to hear.

By: Roger the Dodger

Roger the Dodger — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:23:07 +0000

There is also some evidence that ALS may be caused by fertilizer, such as that commonly used on football fields where, ya know, football players tend to hang out a bit.
My grandmother died of ALS in the 80′s. To my knowledge she never played the game. But she did garden a lot.
And, as you have mentioned, ALS is a crappy way to die. My heart goes out to anyone who has contracted it.

By: wrekOgnize

wrekOgnize — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:20:10 +0000

Seeing that episode and watching the player (can’t remember his name) who could only communicate by using his eyes on a computer screen, was the saddest thing i’ve ever seen. If I was an NFL player, i’d retire. No amount of money or fame is worth the risk of ending up like that.

By: EverybodyGotAIDS

EverybodyGotAIDS — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:13:14 +0000

The only reason it would matter is if the treatments (if any) were different. I don’t know enough about it to speak intelligently (believe it or not, I’m not a doctor), but that would be the one and only important differentiator to me, especially if I had one or the other.