Blog Post #1 - CTE

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Otherwise known as CTE, this degenerative brain disease has become an increasing concern in the minds of athletes and sports fans worldwide. Often associated with football, CTE is the result of repeated hits to the head. For years kids and adults alike have participated in contact sports such as football, hockey, and soccer, but not until the last decade have we become aware of the long term affects that these sports can have on the body and the brain. As a result of these findings there have been changes in rules and technology in order to better protect athletes. But how much are these efforts really helping? Every year there are new studies and reports showing the link between CTE and mental illness in athletes who are long removed from their playing days, yet millions continue to support and participate in the dangerous activities. 

Why is this important? As a former middle school football player (don't be too impressed) I wonder if there are any longterm affects of football on my brain. At the time, coaches didn't care if you "got your bell rung", you were just told to shake it off and go back into the game. This culture needs to change. Also, as a sports fan it's concerning to watch as players are concussed or even knocked unconscious weekly, yet return to playing just one week later. More and more, parents are questioning whether they should allow their children to participate in sports, in fear of injury, and I believe this is the type of model we should heed as we head into the future of sports, in an aim to make them safer and protect those who desire to play.

Link to Article: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/01/18/578355877/repeated-head-hits-not-concussions-may-be-behind-a-type-of-chronic-brain-damage