As if the archetypal 1940's punch-drunk prize fighter didn't provide enough evidence that repeated blows to the head can knock your brain loose, there is now a movement afoot to make everyone aware of the perils of head injuries in sports, even in those supposed non-contact sports, like basketball, as well as games like baseball where a player can get beaned with a fast-moving projectile.
The best team sport for concussion, of course, is football, what with lineman rushing headlong at each other and players at other positions being knocked around so that the heads inside their helmets come into often violent contact with all sorts of hard things, like shoulder pads, shoes, other helmets, and the ground.
Over 3,300 former NFL players are suing the league for not dealing seriously, or at all, with head traumas that have contributed to significant health issues, including dementia.
And yet, whenever a player scores a touchdown, intercepts a pass, or sacks the opposing quarterback, his teammates show their appreciation by giving his helmet a whack or, better yet, banging their helmeted heads together.
Preventing dementia for these guys? It's too late. They're there.
No comments:
Post a Comment