For a long time, many researchers have found long-term professional football a concern for the participants and their family members. Football players have a high risk of suffering debilitating injuries that can leave them with lifelong physical and mental conditions. More than 50% of all NFL players, who have played more than five seasons, suffer from all types of disabilities (Cranmer et al. 2). The research by (Cyfko 2) adds that many former NFL players died prematurely as a result of their on-field activities. Those who suffered from traumatic brain injuries were at greater risk, with most of these sufferers being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia. One example of the most horrifying statistic was that 40% of all retirees were reported to be battling neurological problems (Cranmer et al. 2). The statistics reveal that every second NFL player dies from a significant injury during his career. Despite the positive effects of playing professional football, athletes are not always prepared for the imminent fact that it causes decimating injuries to the players in the long run.
In 2015, researchers from the University of North Carolina and Duke University published an article on the effects of football on the brain in the journal Neurology. After looking at nearly 1,000 brains of former NFL players who had committed suicide or had been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), it was concluded that football players carry a higher risk of developing dementia and frontal lobe damage due to repeated concussions. Therefore, it is imminent that football players are in danger of being severely injured. Various studies have shown a growing body of evidence supporting the idea of treating at-risk athletes before they develop symptoms of traumatic brain injury. This includes establishing a trauma-informed environment in schools and hospitals and developing effective pathways for mental health care.
One of the most common injuries that athletes experience when playing football is a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) (Cranmer et al. 2). The study also found that the severity and frequency of head injuries were directly related to the severity of CTE lesions. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is believed to be linked to the repetitive head impacts that professional athletes have experienced. There is increasing evidence that this injury can cause mental and cognitive issues. The pathology of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is characterized by tangles of neurofibrillary tangles in the microtubule-associated tau protein. It also includes abnormal protein deposits in the astrocytes and the cortex. In addition, the scientists found that 50% had developed diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s while they were still alive. In 2014, researchers at Boston University School of Medicine announced that high school football players could suffer from memory loss later in life if they experienced repeated mild traumatic brain injuries during play.
In short, football players are at risk of damaging their brains due to repetitive injuries on the field due to the violent nature of their sport. As a result, it is becoming increasingly apparent that football players must be aware of the risks they are taking when deciding to participate in this dangerous sport. Implementing severe penalties or policies that significantly reduce the risk of injury could help reduce these problems in the long run. With all this information, football has been connected with early deaths. The NFL has implemented new policies and procedures to protect its current and past players from severe head injuries.
Works Cited
Cranmer, Gregory A., and Jimmy Sanderson. “Rough week for testosterone”: Public commentary around the Ivy League’s decision to restrict tackle football in practice.” Western Journal of Communication 82.5 2018: 631–647.
Cyfko, John. “HOW TO NOT BE A GOOD SPORT: SOLUTIONS TO CHALLENGES OF TRANSITIONING OUT OF AN ATHLETIC CAREER.” THE ARTS AND SCIENCE ACADEMIC JOURNAL 2021: 54.
Aron, Cindy Miller, and Sydney Marie LeFay. “Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Other Trauma-Related Disorders.” Mental Health Care for Elite Athletes. Springer, Cham, 2022. 69–78.
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