Here We Go

From the New York Times, an excerpt...

New Sign of Brain Damage in N.F.L
by Alan Schwarz

Brain damage commonly associated with boxers has been found in a sixth deceased former N.F.L. player age 50 or younger, further stoking the debate between many doctors and the league over the significance of such findings.

Doctors at Boston University’s School of Medicine found a condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy in the brain of Tom McHale, an N.F.L. lineman from 1987 to 1995 who died in May at 45. Known as C.T.E., the progressive condition results from repetitive head trauma and can bring on dementia in people in their 40s or 50s.

Using techniques that can be administered only after a patient has died, doctors have identified C.T.E. in all six N.F.L. veterans between ages 36 and 50 who have been tested for the condition, further evidence of the dangers of improperly treated brain trauma in football.

“I’m hoping that six of six is finally going to turn people’s heads,” Lisa McHale said of the 36-to-50 age group, which included Grimsley; the former Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Andre Waters; and the former Pittsburgh Steelers Mike Webster, Terry Long and Justin Strzelczyk. “We’re not talking about turf toe — we’re talking about a significant brain injury that has huge implications in terms of people’s health. If they can finally let players know what the risks are, it won’t bring Tom back, but it would make his death a great deal less meaningless.”

Read the whole article at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/28/sports/football/28brain.html

Every football season, I live in dread of Sundays. If any of the beloved Steelers has a serious injury, I may get called into the station to report on it in the 11:00 p.m. news that night. (Way past my bed time!)

Ordinarily, I wouldn't care. I understand this is the nature of news, especially in Pittsburgh; and I understand that as the medical reporter, these injuries fall within my domain.

But to report for the umpteenth time that Ben Roethlisberger has had yet another concussion.... Please, is that really news? It would really be news if he decided to hang it up while the gettin's good. Perhaps so many concussions have clouded his judgement.