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Brett Favre's recent diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, likely linked to the numerous concussions he sustained during his NFL career, has once again highlighted the long-term dangers of head injuries in contact sports. Favre has spoken openly about experiencing what he believes could be "thousands" of concussions over his 20-year career, and recent studies suggest a possible connection between repeated traumatic brain injuries (like concussions) and neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
This issue also resonates with current NFL players like Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Just recently, in a Week 2 game against the Buffalo Bills, Tagovailoa suffered his third concussion in two years when he ran into Bills defender Damar Hamlin, leading to him being placed on injured reserve.
The hit, which left him dazed on the field, has reignited concerns about his long-term health. Tagovailoa, who missed significant time in the 2022 season due to concussions, has faced growing calls to consider his future in the sport, with some suggesting he should retire to preserve his health. Despite these concerns, Tagovailoa has expressed no immediate plans to step away from football, though his health and recovery remain top priorities for the teamChronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a degenerative brain disease found in people with a history of repetitive brain trauma, including athletes involved in contact sports. CTE was first identified by Dr. Bennet Omalu in 2005, who discovered it in the brain of former NFL player Mike Webster. Omalu's research connected repeated head injuries to the cognitive and behavioral symptoms seen in many former football players, including memory loss, confusion, depression, and eventually, dementia. CTE is caused by the accumulation of tau proteins in the brain, which leads to the breakdown of brain tissue.
One of the most infamous cases of CTE involved professional wrestler Chris Benoit. Known for his high-risk moves, Benoit frequently used the "Flying Headbutt" as his finishing move. This maneuver involved leaping from the top rope and smashing his head into his opponent, repeatedly exposing his head to trauma. Following Benoit’s tragic murder-suicide in 2007, an examination of his brain revealed that he had severe CTE, comparable to the brain of an 85-year-old Alzheimer's patient.
Favre’s and Tagovailoa’s stories reflect the broader concern about concussion protocols and the long-term effects of head trauma in the NFL. As research continues to explore the links between concussions, CTE, and diseases like Parkinson’s, their experiences serve as a reminder of the hidden toll professional athletes may pay long after their careers end.
Source: Dan Lalonde
Photo Credit: NFL
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