If they said anything it would have to be misleading. I'm reviewing research proposals on CTE now. Not much is known, even now, about the mechanism or danger of repeated concussions. Anything they would have said would have to be misleading.

Marino et al need the NFL to tell them when they get their bell rung and they were dizzy from a head hit, in game after game, that concussions are dangerous. These guys must all have the IQ of a turnip.

...by the time they've been clonked 3-4 times a year as a sophomore, junior, senior on their High School teams, 5-6 times a year during 3-4 years of college, and who knows how many times a year during NFL play, why then, yes, they end up with the IQ of a turnip.

Which is probably at least part of what the anger is about.

sadly,
Bright

and the entire culture treated concussions as badges of honor.

Had an affair with a staffer and has big child support bills. Guess he needs the income.

but instead I am amazed at the massive defense reactions by people who are hoping the concussion related dementia problem will just go away so that their precious sunday couch time will continue unaltered.

...but we're in agreement, essentially.

wryly,
Bright

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that choosing to slam huge bodies together on a field will lead to serious injury but the lure of money and fame attract these athletes. To blame their decisions on the NFL is ridiculous. If they blew the extraordinary money from their playing days, well, that's on them.

but instead told them to take drugs and play through the pain? Did the owners get rich while the players got used up? Is it merely wealth envy that makes these workers worthy of your derision?

They know the risks. Marino was coddled as the QB of the Miami Dolphins. He participated with his eyes wide open. It has nothing to do with your Right wing "envy" meme.

> Do those professions (coal miners, steelworkers, etc.) have team doctors
> who should take care of them but instead told them to take drugs and play
> through the pain?

Have you never heard of the company doctors who would blatantly lie rather
than expose their employers to any liability for the injuries (or deaths) received
during the course of employment?

Of how workers would be labelled as "malingerers" if they didn't work on?
Of how anyone who got on the wrong side of the corporate doctor's report
would be "let go" rather than incur a cost to the company?


> Did the owners get rich while the players got used up?

Have you somehow missed the different in earnings between the CEOs of the
mines/steelworks and the people at the face?

The owners of every single damn company get rich while the workers get used up.


> Is it merely wealth envy that makes these workers worthy of your derision?

How very "rich" of you to be defending multimillionaires who are trying to claw
another couple of millions for themselves - especially by absurd comparisons
to the very real world of industrial injuries & health issues that (unlike those in
sports) *aren't* self-inflicted.

"To blame their decisions on the NFL is ridiculous..."

Unless of course, the NFL withheld critical and relevant information from the players. However, I understand perfectly the desire of many fans to minimize and trivialize the concern, and hold the sport blameless.

....comes with a long term cost...

...used to say that smoking was good for your health...

Just putting that out there.

The Dan Marinos, Peyton Mannings, and other big name players skew the perception of NFL player salary. Most of the players do not get paid a large amount of money. In addition, many of the players can be cut at any time. It has been said that the NFL has the weakest player union. As a result players who get hurt, miss games, and get cut do not get paid. That is why when you hear about a players salary you have to listen for the guaranteed money. As it sounds, that guaranteed money is the only sure amount the player gets. As I said earlier if the players get hurt and cannot play they do not the rest of the money. Finally, I read a story about an NFL player who was not a big named player. He made about $38,000 playing in the NFL. No, the guy did not have a career in the NFL, but it shows not all the people who play in the NFL make massive amounts of money.

http://www.businessinsider.com/ben-roethlisberger-contract-milestone-2013-7

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1074216-how-far-does-an-nfl-contract-really-go

just now, at 60, seeing the long term damage of a head injury at age 5.
also counting up my lifetime concussions, for a regular tomboy type gal. i'm at 6.

at least one other probably left some damage to motor nerves in my feet.
i had childhood epilepsy, but had no idea.

these things are tricky, and even 5 years ago, it was considered kinda far fetched that a smack in the head at 5 could cause seizures that messed up my sleep for the next 55 years, bringing me bouts of depression and physical pain, that slowly worsened every year. "post concussive syndrome" was described to me by a top notch neurologist as "a plausible theory."

i support these guys, tho, because whatever the merit of this case, this shit needs to stop. that is what the courts are for.

I am amazed at the hostility shown by some in this discussion towards the damaged players. I don't quite understand where it comes from.

so unattractive in a liberal.

The average NFL career is 3.5 years. That is a cumulative number for every position. In order to get the pension and health care for life you have to have played for 5 years in the NFL. Football is a violent sport and the NFL has hid concussion injuries from the players. Yes they know there is a risk for injury but at the same time you should expect your employer to be honest with you when you have suffered an injury particularly a brain injury. Dave Duerson a former safety with the Chicago Bears shot himself in the chest and left a suicide note stating that he wanted his brain to examined for dementia like symptoms because of all the concussions he had suffered. This is what led the NFL to set up a fund to deal with the older players claims. The NFL has not been honest with the NFLPA at all.

....watched other players paralyzed on the field of play and still chased the money and fame. Now the consumer is going to be paying for their comfy retirement. The owners will just pass the cost along to tickets and television contracts.