Impact of Concussions on NFL Players

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If you have the brains when you start, you are aware that banging your head into people is not the best thing for your body,” stated Chris Cooley, tight end and a 2 time Pro Bowler with the Washington Redskins (Do No Harm, 2). Research over the years has gathered extensive data on the mental and physical illnesses of retired NFL football players. It has proved that players who accumulate numerous concussions are at a higher risk of health problems after their football career than players who’ve sustained fewer. This data is proven by various studies that have caused worry for many retired NFL football families. The examples of deaths resulting from past concussions are astonishing, and the stats that show high risks for the possible problems can prove why they possibly died. Countless retired players are now frightened by the potential hazard of destructive health problems. Head trauma can lead to brain disorders and mental health issues. One in three former NFL players have had five or more concussions and three in four still suffer symptoms today (Jenkins and Maese, 6). A study shows that NFL football players who have sustained three or more concussions are five times more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment- a condition connected to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s (Hadhazy, 1). NFL football players who were surveyed who had sustained three or more concussions were three times more likely to develop clinical depression compared to other players who had not suffered concussions (Hadhazy, 1). Nine in ten former NFL players reported suffering from concussions during their career, six in ten players reported having three or more concussions, and two in three of the former players who had concussions said they... ... middle of paper ... ...tail?vid=5&sid=52088eec-53a7-4604-8077-caffe4ac7789%40sessionmgr112&nid=122&bdata=JnNpdGU9c3JjLWxpdmu%3d#db=nfh&AN=32U3171806569CB3> Corwin, Tom. “Football clinic aims to help parents, players prevent concussions.” Augusta Chronicle, The (GA) 25 February 2014: Newspaper Source. Web. 4 April 2014 Melissa, Block. “Sidelined By Brain Injury, Ex-NFL Player Copes with “Desperation”.” All Things Considered (NPR) (2014): Newspaper Source. Web. 4 April 2014. Emmert, Mark. “Concussions put football at a crossroads.” Portland Press Herald (ME) 6 April 2014: Newspaper Source. Web. 7 April 2014.

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