Football is one of the most beloved sports in America, but it may come with severe risks. Concussions are a major risk in football that can severely damage your brain and may hurt you or your dreams, changing your life forever. In the NFL, players constantly collide with one another, and the potential for head injuries is very high.
WHAT IS A CONCUSSION?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that occurs when your brain experiences an impact or jolt, causing it to move within your skull. This can happen when a player is hit in the head and when the body is hit hard enough that it causes the head to snap back. The common symptoms of concussions include headaches, confusion, nausea, and memory loss.
In the NFL, concussions often go unnoticed. Players feel pressured to continue playing in the game. Players will be experiencing these symptoms which can cause their concussion to be even worse, leading to more significant long-term health risks.
LONG TERM EFFECTS
The most concerning part regarding concussions is the long-term impact on players. Which can lead to CTE ( Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy ) it is a degenerative brain disease associated with various severe issues. The symptoms of CTE are depression, mood swings, and suicidal thoughts.
There are many cases of players having CTE Like Junior Seau, a middle linebacker for the Chargers, and Chris Borland, a middle linebacker who plays for the 49ers. Seau struggled with depression and ultimately took his own life in 2012. An autopsy revealed he had severe CTE. Similarly, Chris Borland retired early from the NFL due to his concerns about the amount of concussions he had. His decision raised awareness of the risks associated with football.
NFL’S RESPONSE TO CONCUSSIONS
Over the years, the NFL has taken steps and processed the concern about concussions. Over time, the league has put in stricter rules regarding contact to protect the players in the game, including football practices. According to The Panther’s Newspaper “Over the first few weeks of the season, viewers may have noticed a select few players wearing helmets that looked odd or clunky.
That is due to the league’s new rule allowing players to wear Guardian Caps, which were priorly reserved for practice, in games. The caps add provided padding on top of the helmet in the hopes of reducing concussions league-wide.” Guardian caps are now invented to reduce the risk of players getting severe head injuries.
IMPACT AND FUTURE CHALLENGES
The impact of concussions has increased on individual players, this has affected many families, friends, teams, and communities. Many parents may feel concerned about allowing their children to play football due to the risks of head injuries. The NFL continually struggles to agree between player safety and game excitement. The league must continue to be active in creating changes to protect players. This involves bettering player education, improving rules, and exploring new helmet technologies.
With concussions on the rise in the NFL, it is more important now than ever to ensure the safety of football stars. Even with the technology we have now to improve helmets, there are still severe risks with concussions, CTE, and many other traumatic brain injuries.
