Summary: The Long-Term Effects Of Concussions On NFL Players

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Is playing in the National Football League or NFL for a long period of time worth the risk of having a lifetime of agony? Years ago, many players joined the league in pursuing a big contract for financial security of their future without considering the consequences they will endure in the long run after retiring. However, many NFL players these days are becoming more aware of the risks after several concussions and even deaths. Many have filed lawsuits against the NFL for acquiring neurological problems while playing in the league, “some are rethinking their careers,” and some have already called it quits “for fear of brain injuries.” (Martin, 2015) Consequently, many players who have long been in the league have stated or felt that the …show more content…
According to Diaz, the disease can only be identified after the player is dead. According to the CTE Center article, before the “onset of CTE,” players who experience symptoms, undergo what is called to be a post-concussion syndrome, which “can last for months or, in severe cases, even years.” Diaz defined CTE principally as an unusual “build-up of tau – a protein that can spill out of cells” resulting from a direct hit to the head that deactivates neural passages which regulate components in the brain that deals with “memory, judgment, and fear.” (2015.) Nevertheless, Martin also discusses that CTE is connected to signs of amnesia, bouts of fury and rage as well as hopelessness and ultimately dementia. …show more content…
Robert Stern, a Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery at Boston University whom is also the lead investigator for the study of CTE and director for the Alzheimer’s Disease Center emphasizes that CTE is similar to Alzheimer’s disease and other brain diseases; however, distinctive because of its common “history of repetitive brain trauma.” Those who aren’t identified with a concussion are susceptible to acquire CTE after being exposed to “multiple hits to the head,” which reveals “their brains being rattled nonetheless.” Dr. Stern also points out that CTE is about the prolonged contact to “brain jarring hits” and mentions that when it comes to trauma, commotion in a person’s head can also occur by “being hit hard” on their chest and being blocked precipitously making the brain clatter. (Douglas,