Concussions in Football

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It is important to know the long term effects of concussions before playing this great sport of football. Long term problems are usually a result of multiple concussions. Which can cause many Psychological effects, ranging from anxiety to depression. Depression is a medical illness that causes a constant feeling of sadness and lack of interest. 2,552 retired professional football players with an average age of 53 and a 6 year average career length were put in a study done by the American College of Sports Medicine. The study showed that 11.1% reported that they have had or currently have depression. Reports show that players with 3 or more concussions are 3 times as likely to have depression and players with 1 or 2 are 1.5 times more likely compared to players with no history of concussions. Depression is an extremely serious problem, which can lead to, hallucinations, delusions, loss of appetite, and withdrawal from reality, psychosis, and worse of all suicide. Former star defensive back for the Philadelphia Eagles Andre Waters, an athlete that had countless concussions by the time he retired in 1995 after 12 seasons in the NFL. After his retirement he had major depression and in 2006, at age 44, he took his own life, committing suicide with a gunshot blow to the head. This was the same fate for many other NFL players as well such as, Terry Long, Dave Duerson, and Junior Seau. Another long term effect is the development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy also known as CTE in the brain of players from so many blows to the head. CTE is a chronic neurological condition which leads to depression, dementia, and other neurological disorders. In a study conducted by CTE researchers at Boston University they studied 11 deceased players and found that all 11 suffered from CTE in the brain. 50 former football players were recruited by Christopher Randolph, professor of neurology at Loyola University Medical Center and given a test for Alzheimer’s symptoms. 35 percent of the players had scores that displayed that they had some form of dementia. Dementia is defined as a chronic disorder of the mental processes caused by brain disease or injury and marked by memory disorders, personality changes, and impaired reasoning.

In conclusion, what concussions are, signs and symptoms of a concussion, how to prevent concussions, and the long term effects of concussions, should be known by kids and their parents before being put in this violent sport of football. Concussions are always serious no matter what the severity of it is. They can hurt a person dramatically well after their career in football is over with. So one should know, when in doubt sit, do not rush returning back to play, learn proper technique, and do research on the topic.