”LIFE AFTER THE GAME”
A recent study has that one-third of former NFL players have mental deficits similar to those seen in significantly older people. The study took 500+ retired NFL players on average about 61 years and showed that 35% had scores of at least 2 on the AD8 informant interview. This indicated cognitive problems.
41 of the retired players appeared to have cognitive impairment more intensely on a neuropsychological exam that were similar to patients in their 70’s and 80’s diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment.
Due to injuries, including concussions and so many young athletes dropping dead on the field football players have been studied often on the effect of repetitive blows to the head and how it affects the brain. The recent deaths of retired NFL players Dave Duerson by suicide and John Mackey brought more attention to previous studies.
The study also notes that the average college football player receives more than 1,300 blows to the head at high accelerations.
About half of those included in the study were cognitively healthy. Through the outcomes of various samples the conclusion was drawn that cognitive impairment has an earlier onset in football players compared with the general population. The greatest impairment was in delayed memory.
It is also stated that the risks to current NFL players may not be as great as they were in the past when players were expected to become dizzy during practices and games and were ridiculed if they complained. The NFL has implemented rules mandating that players with concussion symptoms be held out of practices and games until cleared by independent neurologists.
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Just imagine what the current players are going to be like taking hits from Ray Lewis’ and Bob Sanders’….#sMh
Man they COULD pay me to take a licking but I know how to keep on ticking…lol
Money isn’t everything. I’d rather have my good sense. I saw Hakeem Olajuwon at the mall the other day and he was walking like he was in pain. All the money in the world can’t take that pain away.
Mane and they don’t wana pay these guys the money they deserve. Sounds like a legal way to kill. N dey fucking wit mike Vick bout dogs
Damn. these players have to choose between money and their health.. i choose health anyday…