I spoke with Lars Larson on-air about brain injuries in former NFL players, a serious issue with about one-third of these athletes believing they have brain damage and many reporting suicidal thoughts. Football is one of the most violent sports, and while helmet technology has improved (for example, the new Guardian Caps), concussions are still common.
We discussed CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), a condition caused by repeated head trauma, which can only be diagnosed after death. A recent study asked former NFL players if they thought they had CTE, but participation was low, possibly because many athletes might not want to face the truth about their health. Lars compared the brain to peas in a can getting shaken inside the skull during impact, while my analogy was a cantaloupe suspended in fluid.
I highlighted the issue of sub-concussive injuries, not just in football but in the military, especially among artillery instructors. Repeated exposure to explosive shockwaves causes brain damage similar to what athletes experience in contact sports.
We touched on how the NFL has made some changes, like penalizing certain kinds of tackles, but they seem reluctant to change too much, because it could affect the game’s appeal and profits. The players' union could push for more safety measures, but they’re in a tough spot, too—changing the game might lower salaries if fan interest drops.
In the end, it’s a complicated issue with no easy solutions. Balancing safety and preserving the game remains a tough dilemma.
You can hear the entire conversation here.
And for a closer look:
Concussion Prevention: Sorting Through the Science to See What's Sound
Head Trauma in Teen Sports: Accept the Risk – or Ban the Ball?
Henry I. Miller, MS, MD
Henry I. Miller, MS, MD, is the Glenn Swogger Distinguished Fellow at the American Council on Science and Health. His research focuses on public policy toward science, technology, and medicine, encompassing a number of areas, including pharmaceutical development, genetic engineering, models for regulatory reform, precision medicine, and the emergence of new viral diseases. Dr. Miller served for fifteen years at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a number of posts, including as the founding director of the Office of Biotechnology.
