K-town Vol Fan
Blood Runneth Orange
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- Jan 2, 2005
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I watched CTE completely devour a family member who was a former 10-year starting NFL center in his late 40s and finish the destruction in his early 50s when I attended his funeral.
They examined his brain after he died and made the diagnosis. I love football as much as anybody, and I have no idea how to find the answer.
I coach high school ball about 35 min. East of where Jamal played. I can assure you efforts are being made to take the head out of the game and change the culture.
There's no more "get your ass back in there" mentality; there are concussion protocols, rules about the amount of contact throughout the week, a certified trainer at all games and practices, we use helmets that are darn near space age, and we teach tackling very differently and with equipment that limits body on body "thud." We even lift differently to build up their muscles to absorb shock in their shoulders - which prevents ricochet to their head... We still emphasize physicality, effort, toughness, and technique, we just teach it differently.
I guess my point is that, why we don't know if this will make any difference, we're trying like hell. The sport as a whole is changing from the grassroots. We're trying to change it in a positive - and much safer - manner that addresses obvious concerns about brain injury...
My condolences to and your family, RIP.
I love football and will always be a fan, but I doubt I'll let my sons play. Hopefully they take an interest in baseball or basketball.
I wonder if guys like Jamal would do it all over again if they knew then what they know now.
Charlie Garner said he would have played defensive back, so he wouldn't have taken so many hits.
Charlie Garner's post-football life ruled by fear as his brain fails him | NFL | Sporting News
These guys knew what they were getting into. They just didn't care when they played. I can't feel sorry for millionaires.
These guys knew what they were getting into. They just didn't care when they played. I can't feel sorry for millionaires.