Concussions Take Center Stage
This past week, we’ve probably seen even more media coverage on concussions than all past years combined. It’s been like a huge tsunami of people, events and timing all converging to drive interest in a subject that’s been hidden away by years of denial.
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Terry Bradshaw had already made some side comments publicly last year while he was on the air and just as suddenly as he blurted them out – and as with all things NFL on network television – nothing more was ever brought up again until this past week. Bradshaw mentions his recent visit to the Amen Clinic in Newport Beach as part of Dr. Amen’s continuing studies on concussions and the brain. Here’s the clip from FOX Sports:
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Video: Terry talks treatment
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And you can read the full article on MSN/FOX Sports – click HERE.
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With the CBA negotiations now bogged down by posturing by lawyers on all sides, we can’t think of a better time to address the elephant in the room before it gets any bigger. All sides need to address the health and welfare of ALL players – current and retired. Done correctly, the League and the Union would not only affect the lives of their only real asset – the players – but also lay the groundwork in studying and addressing a problem with long-term effects that reach across our entire population. Taking care of the short-term issues when they start on the field while also taking a long-term view in providing full access to benefits and treatments for all of those who have suffered in silence for too long could set the stage for a new era across all professional sports in the years to come. And it also happens to be the right thing to do.
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Related Posts
March 23, 2010 -- Larry Kaminski at the Amen Clinic (5)
September 23, 2011 -- Some Weekend Reading Sept 23rd (3)
March 4, 2012 -- George Visger: An Open Letter to DeMaurice Smith (10)
July 24, 2012 -- IFV-TV: Discussion Panel on Concussions – George Visger (1)
May 4, 2012 -- Dr. Amen on Junior Seau (2)
Dirk Knudsen
April 15th, 2011 at 6:20 pm #
This issue is the only issue for me. Regardless of squabbling over money and the the bloodlust of Americans who need and want more violence in the game, we have to fix it or it is over. Period.
The work we do on concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury is very real. We have no money or resources but our members have more skin in the game than anyone.
Kids are dying today… right now… over this killer. And it is being done in the name of a sport that had a proud tradition but it has become a game that it no longer was. At the hands of bad coaches, lack of training and education, and medical malfeasance, we’re still losing a winable battle.
You guys keep up the good work. Maybe as more NFL vets are honest and can find a way to understand that we need their leadership -they will come forward and admit the wrongs done to them by an employer and a public who do not care.
We are trying to save kids in the K-12 level. Before they get hurt, before they get a Second Impact Injury, or before they die or suffer.
We can do this – we just need help.
Great work, Dave… keep the pressure on, brother, and never ever give in. Not one inch… and I promise you we won’t either!
Best regards,
Dirk Knudsen
Director
BrainChampions.org
(503) 799-8383
Robert Belgeri
April 15th, 2011 at 9:33 pm #
Did a lot of road time this week. Heard a bunch of sports radio commentary about concussions. I guess the NHL is starting to pay attention, too. At least the players are.
Robert Belgeri
Dan Bunz
April 18th, 2011 at 8:49 am #
Terry,
BRAVO! THANK YOU from the bottom of my linebacker heart!
Many NFL Vets I have talked with have the same issues and problems. They have been denied help by the NFL: they deny us, delay us, divide us, in hopes we will die and be gone. What happened to Mike Webster and his family is an OUTRAGE!!! He was the toughest center I ever played against in my career with the 49ers.
Every owner and/or Commissioner should address this issue immediately for the health and safety of veteran players and any and all future footballers.
Being a teacher on a small salary, I wish somehow I could get in and visit the Amen clinic as well but that’s just not in the budget for me and all too many others.
Dan Bunz
San Francisco 49ers & Detroit Lions
1978 – 1985