It took years to establish and accept, but now we know for sure that there is a connection between playing football and the possibility of suffering the effects of CTE later in life.
Football brings excitement and has issues, too. One of the biggest issues involves the consequences of head injuries, the most severe of which is called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy or CTE.
CTE is featured in the Hollywood film, Concussion, which is about the discovery of the disease by Dr. Bennet Omalu.
As a coroner, Dr. Omalu’s job involves attributing the cause of death. The link to what is now known as CTE came when Omalu was conducting an autopsy of the Steelers’ Mike Webster. Omalu noticed Webster’s brain irregularities and wondered if there could be a connection to playing football. Upon further analysis, he noted similar irregularities in other football players who had died under unusual circumstances.
The critical part of the film is when Omalu shares his findings with local authorities, including the Steelers’ team doctor. He gets pushback and finds that his career is in jeopardy. People are in denial and they also want to protect the game and the football industry, which generates billions of dollars of profit annually.
In the end, there’s too much evidence to keep denying that CTE isn’t happening.
The film reveals football’s underbelly. It also gives a clarion call to alert people when former players they know are in trouble, including the possibility that they are suffering from CTE (a disease that can only be detected after death).
A number of CTE-afflicted, former NFL players have committed suicide. Examples include Junior Seau and Dave Duerson. If you or someone you know is considering ending their life–whether it be by CTE or for some other reason–call the National Suicide Hotline at 800 273 8255.
