Seau

[lotus]

Yeah but football players have been taking those hits forever, why is it just becoming an epidemic now? Or is it just that people are paying more attention now?

Well, the game has become faster, so the hits got harder. Also, the long term effects from concussions and other head trauma for athletes other than boxers have only been studied fairly recently. Boxers didn't have head gear, so people expected more effects than they did for those with head gear. Now, some studies are finding it may be more similar than originally thought. I'd guess due to the greater speed of the game.

The shit I've read about Chronic traumatic encephalitis is flat scary. There have been several cases in pro football players - including Andre Waters and Dave Duerson, who also committed suicide. Also, it was found in wrester Chris Benoit - who killed his wife and child before killing himself a few years back.

But who's to say that these cases are related at all, or possibly by another common factor, like steroids? I'm just playing devil's advocate here, I don't necessarily doubt that brain injury/trauma is a factor. I'm just saying that these dudes do a lot to their bodies, some of which we never see or hear about. I think it's jumping to conclusions for anyone, doctors included, at this point to say who or what is responsible.

[JohnnyHustler]

Yeah but football players have been taking those hits forever, why is it just becoming an epidemic now? Or is it just that people are paying more attention now?

Well, the game has become faster, so the hits got harder. Also, the long term effects from concussions and other head trauma for athletes other than boxers have only been studied fairly recently. Boxers didn't have head gear, so people expected more effects than they did for those with head gear. Now, some studies are finding it may be more similar than originally thought. I'd guess due to the greater speed of the game.

The shit I've read about Chronic traumatic encephalitis is flat scary. There have been several cases in pro football players - including Andre Waters and Dave Duerson, who also committed suicide. Also, it was found in wrester Chris Benoit - who killed his wife and child before killing himself a few years back.

But who's to say that these cases are related at all, or possibly by another common factor, like steroids? I'm just playing devil's advocate here, I don't necessarily doubt that brain injury/trauma is a factor. I'm just saying that these dudes do a lot to their bodies, some of which we never see or hear about. I think it's jumping to conclusions for anyone, doctors included, at this point to say who or what is responsible.

I see what you're saying, and it's all valid...but I think that we're going to see a lot more of this sooner rather than later.

One thing I didn't know in reading some of this stuff today; Chris Henry apparently was showing signs of CTE in the autopsy after his incident that led to his death. Not saying that was the cause, but I didn't know that an active player had shown signs.

[lotus]

Look, all respect to Chris Henry but he was also a dumbass dope fiend who wasn't doing himself any favors OFF the field, either.

[miketheknife]

Thank god you prefaced that with 'all respect due' or I'd be angry

[rabb]

I may come off as an asshole here, and that is cool, but I have to say that I am so irritated when people die and all of a sudden everyone becomes their biggest fan.

This situation is tragic, no doubt...and I hate a family being left with questions or whatever (I won't get started on that one again) but I am listening to NFL on Sirius like I do every morning and so far it's sad songs, people doing the "I remember what I was doing when I heard the news" as if it was 9/11 or something and every caller saying how much they liked the guy.

I hated the guy to be honest, respected some of his play and he was pretty great for a while but yeah. So there you go, fire away.

[YEM]

Did you hate him because he was a Charger, or is there something else?

But I agree with you on the out of the woodwork "fans"

[rabb]

Mainly because he was a Charger yes, just a cocky fucker. I am absolutely not pissing on the guy's grave here either, I want to make that clear.

That said, when Rivers dies, I am having a party.

[Clem]

it has to be hard to go from being cheered for and worshipped every week to being Junior who lives down the street.

This.

I know I've talked before about when I worked for the Milwaukee Brewers P.R. department, but professional athletes live an absolutely charmed life. They are idolized and treated like royalty and get pussy left and right. The drop-off from that kind of life to signing autographs for $40 a pop at sports card stores is going to fuck with a person who isn't pretty grounded in the first place.

[DaddyFatSack]

I liked seau's intensity in his younger days but I was never a fan. It makes me feel old to see players I watched as a kid/teen dying.

[Elwood]

Such a tragic story....

Did the repeated concussions contribute to his demise? ... maybe, but there are probably a few other underlying issues that were there too. I think that one who suffers multiple concussions ultimately loses the coping mechanisms that help them deal with every day BS.