I was recently catching up with a very close friend of mine who happened to be an avid NFL fan. So naturally the topic was NFL players and if they all have CTE. My friend stated that he isn’t sure if all NFL players experience CTE, but there have certainly been enough players diagnosed and struggling from the condition that it’s become a real concern. It left me wondering if the NFL is really doing enough to protect its players from CTE.
From what I understand, CTE is a degenerative brain disorder caused by years of head trauma and repeated concussions. But the real crime here is that effects of the condition usually don’t show up until long after a player’s career has ended. So often the players suffer silently, with no one to help them. It’s heartbreaking to think that some of the players that are loved and lauded by fans and team owners are struggling from CTE in their post-career years, while those who never notice are too late to do anything about it.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Sadly, it often falls on the families of these CTE sufferers, who either don’t know their options, or simply don’t have access to the necessary treatments. With the burden of CTE care falling on the players and their families, it really shouldn’t come as any surprise that there has been a greater focus on CTE prevention and treatment in recent years.
With that being said, I think the NFL needs to do more when it comes to CTE awareness and prevention. While the NFL has done an admirable job of trying to provide support for players, it’s not enough to just give them advice. They need to do more when it comes to educating them on the potential consequences of head trauma and concussions. By doing so, they can ensure that players know their options should they experience any lingering effects from their time in the NFL.
I also think that the NFL should be doing more to hold team owners and coaches accountable for any decisions they make that could put players in harm’s way. No one should have to sacrifice their safety in the name of glory or money. The NFL needs to recognize that there’s always a risk involved in contact sports and do their part in making sure that players are well-informed and aware of any potential dangers they might face on the field.
Lastly, I think the NFL needs to do more to ensure that players of the past get the help they need and deserve. With so many players facing the devastating effects of CTE, the onus is on the NFL to step up and be more proactive in helping these players and their families cope with the condition. We can no longer ignore this health crisis and pretend it doesn’t exist.
The next four sections will focus on the following:
1.The Impact of CTE on the NFL Players and their Families
2.The Mental Health of NFL Players
3.The NFL’s Responsibility in CTE Awareness and Prevention
4. Ways that the NFL can Help Current and Former Players with CTE.
1. The Impact of CTE on the NFL Players and their Families
For many NFL players and their families, CTE has become a form of devastation that they are powerless to stop. When a loved one becomes a CTE sufferer, the psychological and emotional effects can be just as devastating as the physical ones. The sadness and loneliness of a family that can no longer take care of one of their own is too much to bear. On the other hand, if the family does have the resources to provide support, it can quickly become an emotional and financial drain.
In addition, CTE can cause problems with a player’s everyday life that often make it difficult for him to lead a normal life. The memory problems associated with CTE can make it difficult for a player to remember anything beyond the most recent few days—which can be immensely difficult for a player trying to live an independent life. Similarly, impaired judgment can make it difficult for a player to make decisions and carry out even the most simple tasks.
All of these circumstances can take a serious toll on even the most resilient of families. And in the end, the effects of CTE on a player and his family are far more serious than just the physical symptoms.
2. The Mental Health of NFL Players
The mental health of NFL players is often overlooked in the face of the physical damage caused by CTE. This is unfortunate because mental health affects both sides of the equation – the player and his family. The psychological effects of CTE can leave a player feeling depressed, anxious, and withdrawn. It can also make it difficult for the player to find a balance between his professional and personal lives.
Similarly, the mental health of a player’s family can become greatly compromised as they watch the person they love suffer from a debilitating condition they can do very little about. Watching a loved one battle CTE can be emotionally exhausting and can be just as damaging to the family’s mental health as it is to the player’s.
It’s easy to understand why mental health is so important in cases involving CTE. The depression, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion that can accompany the illness can be significant and can have a lasting impact on the lives of both the players and their families.
3. The NFL’s Responsibility in CTE Awareness and Prevention
The NFL has a responsibility to take an active role in CTE awareness and prevention. As the leader in professional football, the league has the power to spread awareness about the condition and educate players and teams about its potential risks.
The league can start by educating players and team owners on the potential risks associated with playing contact sports. This includes cautioning players to “listen to their bodies” and speak up when they experience symptoms that might indicate CTE. Players should also understand the importance of reporting any symptoms they may experience, as early detection can be critical.
The league should also be providing players with access to resources that help them identify potential CTE risks and provide information on how to recognize and respond to symptoms. This includes supporting organizations that offer assistance to CTE sufferers and their families.
By educating players and teams on CTE and providing them with the resources they need to stay safe, the NFL can play a major role in CTE awareness and prevention.
4. Ways that the NFL Can Help Current and Former Players with CTE
The NFL has an obligation to help players and their families cope with the effects of CTE. The league can start by offering more financial assistance to CTE sufferers and their families. This includes providing resources that can help them access the necessary treatments and medical resources that can improve the quality of life, as well as counseling services for families that are struggling to cope with the emotional turmoil of a CTE diagnosis.
The NFL can also support organizations and charities that provide assistance for CTE sufferers and their families. By partnering with groups and organizations that are dedicated to CTE awareness and prevention, the NFL can help ensure that players get the help they need.
Finally, the NFL can take the lead on CTE research and development. By investing resources into researching the root causes of CTE and developing new treatments, the NFL can help ensure that all players, current and former, get the help they need and deserve.
No one should have to suffer from CTE, especially not those people who we cheer for every Sunday. The NFL needs to continue to lead the charge on CTE prevention and ensure that every player and their families have access to the resources they need to cope with the condition.