Junior Seau's Death

5/17/2012 1:16:34 AM | IP

Click me (pretty please with madeleines

'It's ridiculous that this had to get to this point where the NFL is finally stepping up about it. However, like mentioned above, many hide them because of contracts and guys also tend to hold up that front where they hide their pain. Shake it off, shake it off! This isn't the salt tablet days and that mentality needs to change in sport overall.'

x99999999999999999999999999999

the average age of NFL players is 55yo.

..... yeah...

rockyroadicecream

5/15/2012 3:56:29 AM | IP

The NFL also doesn't provide enough education on concussions and how serious they are. Only recently have they finally started to step up about it. There was another suicide awhile back and the guy did the same thing- didn't shoot himself in the head so his brain could be donated to research the damage done to the brain after multiple concussions. Seau knew something was wrong- they all figure it out after talking to others and doing research- which is why he shot himself in the chest.

Overall, concussion education is pretty sparse and people just don't realize how serious it is when the first one initially occurs- you shouldn't even be out there playing afterward. Not until cleared by the doctor or the ATC. What many don't understand is that if you get another concussion while the brain is still healing from the previous one, the reaction will cause it to swell tremendously and cause permanent damage. It's sad when it happens to high school kids because they're handicapped for the rest of their life- and for what? Some extra playing time?

It's ridiculous that this had to get to this point where the NFL is finally stepping up about it. However, like mentioned above, many hide them because of contracts and guys also tend to hold up that front where they hide their pain. Shake it off, shake it off! This isn't the salt tablet days and that mentality needs to change in sport overall.

When this showed up in the news, it was a little ironic as a few colleagues and I had JUST been discussing concussions and their effects on various athletes in their sport. The lack of education out there is scary. It all starts when they're young, and the parents are absolute idiots when it comes to concussions.

Chance11

5/15/2012 2:46:36 AM | IP

male

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yeah it's interesting to see what will come of this. it's been a hidden story for decades now and it's finally coming to light. playing football takes years off your life and many players are in pretty bad shape after their careers are over. i always shake my head when some fans call the rules that protect qbs and other players into question. Players are bigger, faster, and stronger than they've ever been. In the Nfl, contracts are not fully guaranteed so most players will try to hide concussions as not to be a health risk to their team or let down the many ppl that rely on their pay checks.

sheathedclaws

5/5/2012 1:16:07 PM | IP

Click me (pretty please with madeleines

This was completely a shock to me. His mother's visible agony is especially raw. I don't think this story will be ignored. The NFL does not provide enough for athletes post career: not psychologically, spiritually (if needed), mentally, neurologically, and medically. These guys very much are a risk group (as well as other contact sports too - this applies for sports like hockey, MMA, and boxing too).

The 'accident' where he 'fell asleep at the wheel' a few years ago is now being considered a possible suicide attempt as well.

It's difficult when the sport itself is partially enjoyed being a contact sport, but at what cost? As fans, we do hold a bit of responsibility.

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Junior Seau's Death

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