Recently, head injuries have gotten pretty serious in the NFL and affecting a lot of players. 99% of ailing NFL player brains show hallmark neurodegenerative disease. People have been talking about whether the men’s brain changes were mild or severe, all experienced mood, behavioral, or cognitive symptoms associated with CTE. This also concludes depression, apathy, and anxiety with explosive rages. Although severe head trauma and brain injury have gotten much attention in the media, efforts to minimize the injuries has lagged.  The NFL has only recently begun taking steps to protect its players in response to a torrent of criticism. While players may currently hide their concussions in order to play, they may not be able to hide from them in the future. Obviously the players are going to want to play and hide the fact that they have a serious injury because they love the game and want to impress a lot of people and not let them down and gain a lot of money. But long term this could seriously affect their playing time and how they act and play.

Younger athletes wanna grow up and become these professional football players. But how do we prevent them from making the same mistakes our current athletes make? A major issue with concussions is they can be difficult to diagnose, and many student athletes return to play too soon. Many high school lack the necessary medical personnel and equipment to examine athletes properly. A Concussed athlete who returns to play before their brain is properly healed is more susceptible to sustaining an even worse injury. Kids who are not as old as these NFL players are not as mature and don’t understand how hurt you can get in football or any sport. Receiving information from doctors that you can’t play the rest of the season or worst case ever is going to be hard for these athletes that’s why they hide it to everyone else and continue to play without knowing the outcome of your future.

Making the proper diagnoses of a concussions and removing an athlete from play are hard enough when the symptoms aren’t there. But the true danger lies in the inability to diagnose someone that has no symptoms. Not only does a player suffer from habitual head trauma while they, but the longer they play and the further they advance in the career, the players around them get bigger, the speed of the game get faster, and the hits get harder. This is why the NFL should consider these facts and figures before ever realistically proposing and expanded season. High school athletes are taught o play through broken fingers and torn hip flexors, they are conditioned to play with pain. Why would a headache be a concern? The NFL needs to be more proactive in changing the mentality of a game for an entire generation of young athletes. Over competitive coaches must be taught not to force players on the field prematurely. Parents and trainers must encourage kids to report their symptoms. Ultimately athletes should be taught to care for themselves above playing for a sport that lacks honest, responsible self governess.

Q- if you got a head injury in football would you continue to play and why?

A- “I would because i love the game and i wouldn’t think its too serious, if i went to the doctor and told me not to play until they get it fixed then i would sit out” -Brad Billups

A- “No, i wouldn’t i wouldn’t want to ruin my career and i would actually take it serious unlike all these stupid NFL players getting hurt and continue playing”- Justin Battillo

Q- do you think it’s worth it to continue playing if it’s going to ruin your future?

A- “No unless i’m in the NFL and everyone is watching me and people are looking forward to me playing then yes i would continue to play” – Brad Billups

A- “again i don’t think it’s worth it unless i’m getting payed lots and lots of money and people are paying to watch the game”- Justin Battillo

So in conclusion these kids and people mostly care about the money and less of the head injury that they have.