Vid of former NFL players showing effects of concussions

[fleetus macmullitz]

One of them, Jamal Lewis, is only 34.

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[Rick D]

WOW!!! Thanks Skip for sharing that.

[fleetus macmullitz]

You're welcome Rick.

[Shmoov69]

I gotta agree with the CBS commentator really. I mean, 99% of football players know the risk and still play. They LOVE the game and everything that goes with it. I remember seeing an interview with one player that had major leg pain and he said that he would forgo sleeping because it hurt so bad when he laid down. So he just tried to sleep while standing up, which didn't work too well. BUT, he would do it all over again, for the rush of it all.... Oh and the power and money and fame! LoL! Heck, here's the latest comment from one of the best: “I’d rather have a guy hit me head than knife at my knee,” Tony Gonzalez said.

Anyway, it sucks and I hate it for the players and their families, but I feel that it is just more entitlement. Good video tho, and it stirs plenty of emotions!

[Sieg]

Chris Miller UO/Falcons/Rams QB is a longtime friend and golfing buddy, I first met him because I autocrossed with his Dad in local SCCA events.

He went through a series of 6 concussions in short order. When he first moved to LA he was hit hard in one of his first games and couldn't find his way home, he had pull over and call his wife for assistance.

They were installing the battery for the QB's radios in the rear of the helmet which required cutting out the padding in the area. Combine that with the fact that the early synthetic fields were just a little softer than freeway concrete and it's no wonder why they were getting concussions. :sieg:

I tried reaching out to some of the major off-road helmet manufacturers at the time to see if there was any interest in developing a helmet to address the issues........every one was a dead end street.

[fleetus macmullitz]

I remember what happened to Chris Miller.

NFL/owners got off cheap.

Helmets could offer a lot more protection even now.

It all comes down to greed...every time.

[DRJDVM's '69]

As much as we hope "better helmets" aren't going to do much. The biggest issue is the brain getting slammed around INSIDE the skull.... It's like being in a 50 mph car accident... You can pad the outside of the car as much as you like but it won't stop you body from getting slammed around

There are risks in life.. They chose to be part of a very risky business..... I feel sorry for them but the NFL is not to blame

I do strongly think that the after retirement health care needs to be dramatically improve. The NFL is making billions of dollars off these guys.... Pay some back and take care of them

[Sieg]

I've always thought the helmet has been too much of a weapon because of the hard shell and rigid facemask. That hard shell also creates a lot of shock and thus rapid of the brain. I've seen players with issues wearing styrene over-helmet shells........I'm assuming due to concussion issues.

One of these days there will be a better helmet design.

[fleetus macmullitz]

Oh I know better helmets are not the cure all.

But, new advancements in protection are greatly welcomed and in use.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2013/07/30/concussions-college-football-nfl-guardian-caps/2601063/

Players of course are the ones who choose to play a very dangerous game and in recent years we all can see that the damage caused by years of violent collisions is receiving a lot more media coverage. Especially when 43 year old mega star Junior Seau took his life just 3 years after he retired.

Obviously better retirement health care must happen. Greed is not good. NFL teams should take excellent care of those people who made them big profits year after year and also contributed to their franchises that keep growing in value.

Players and owners need each other.

[srh3trinity]

Whichever side you stand on, these guys lead a sad existence. Sure, they chose it, but on some level things were different and return to play rules were different. I have seen many high school athletes both on the sidelines and in clinic after concussions and even in the short period after a concussion the symptoms can be very strange. At least there is some dialog about this now and maybe a combo of different tackling techniques, rules and advances in safety gear along with changes in return to play rules can have a positive impact. Although, with the size and speed of players these days, all of that may be just as good as a filtered cigarette as a safer alternative. Unfortunately people make big life decisions at an early age. We all know what cigarettes do to people and I watch people die from the aftermath and damage caused by smoking regularly, but people still start smoking every day. All of this publicity for concussions will resonate for a period of time, but you could ask almost any teenage boy out there if they would risk the long term effects of playing pro ball for fame and money in their twenties and thirties and many would still likely roll the dice.

[Vegas69]

It's unfortunate but the action and consequences are not likely to change.

[fleetus macmullitz]

It's unfortunate but the action and consequences are not likely to change.

Agreed.

[ErikLS2]

If you love something you'll do it, no matter the risks. We all know people get injured and killed racing cars around but a lot of us still do it. I myself broke my back and right wrist at the same time playing beer league hockey. What did I do once I had healed up, went back and played again and still do.

The difference in the NFL is all the money that is made. The players know the risks but I think they get screwed by a league that has more than enough money to take care of them better. It's millionaires working for billionaires and a tragedy for these guys that provide us with so much entertainment.