How CTE is Affecting The Lives of Many Current and Former Football Players

As youth participation in football continues to steadily decline in America due to health concerns, it seems to be affecting the current lives of many current and former players. According to an article written by Daniella Emanuel from CNN, CTE  “was found in 99 percent of deceased NFL players’ brains that were donated to scientific research” from a study published in the medical journal JAMA. In another study conducted by JAMA, “Out of 202 deceased former football players total — a combination of high school, college and professional players — CTE was neuropathologically diagnosed in 177, the study said. The disease was identified in 110 out of 111 former NFL players. It was also found in three of the 14 high school players and 48 of the 53 college players. The study included brains of individuals who have been publicly confirmed to have had the disease, including Ken Stabler, Kevin Turner, Bubba Smith and Dave Duerson.” With studies (and the naked eye) constantly showing a correlation between the rough nature of the sport leading to severe brain damage, more athletes are seeking compensation. Back in September, retired players and legends of the game including Eric Dickerson, Kurt Warner, and others sent a letter to commissioner Roger Goodell, N.F.L.P.A. executive director DeMaurice Smith and the Hall of Fame president David Baker seeking better health insurance and a share of N.F.L. revenues at the threat of boycotting future Hall of  Fame induction ceremonies. Time will tell as to whether the league decides to meet the demands of its former players and to what extent. For current athletes from all levels of football, it’s something worth keeping an eye on.