The New York Times has posted a vivid photo essay on a new JAMA study detailing a grim pathology finding for football fans: Of 111 deceased NFL players whose brains were checked for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, all but one came back positive.
CTE, which is believed to be caused by repeated blows to the head, “causes myriad symptoms, including memory loss, confusion, depression and dementia. The problems can arise years after the blows to the head have stopped,” the newspaper reports. “The brains here are from players who died as young as 23 and as old as 89. And they are from every position on the field—quarterbacks, running backs and linebackers, and even a place-kicker and a punter.”
The JAMA study also confirmed that even very minor blows can add up to major damage if there are enough of them over a long period of time.
If you’re a football fan, you’ll recognize several of the players.
See the photos and read the piece:
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.