From the archive: Anatomy of a concussion, and the NFL’s brain disease problem
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An expected vote by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission to decide whether the Neshaminy School District can continue calling some of its sports teams 'The Redskins' has been delayed until November. (Eugene Sonn/WHYY, file)
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This drawing is from 2010, when the National Football League was beginning to appreciate concussions as a problem. The NFL now knows it has a concussion crisis, but a recent PBS documentary made clear that there may be a much more dire threat to football.
Dr. Anne McKee, a Boston University neurologist has found chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in the brains of more than 40 former NFL players. The disease has also been found in a high school player and a college player. It is likely that CTE can be brought on by repeated blows to the head and can perhaps be acquired without ever suffering a concussion.
Dr. McKee wonders how far it goes, and fears that most NFL players may have CTE.
Parents, are you ready to send your kids into the game?
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