#Dr. Bennet Omalu

[belkidebirharfimben]

Psikolojinin Allah'ı yok mu?

"Ey ahmak nokta-i sevda! Hâlıkın ef'âli sana nâzır değildir. Ancak Ona bakar. Kâinatı senin hendesen üzerine yapmış değildir. Ve seni hilkat-i âlemde şahit tutmamıştır.” Mesnevî-i Nuriye’den.

Allah amellerini mübarek etsin. Geçenlerde ODTÜ mezuniyet töreninde “Kalpler ancak Allah’ın zikriyle mutmain olur!” ayet mealinin pankart olup gezdirildiğini gördük. Cenab-ı Hak, kelamullahından nur alan böyle sineleri çoğaltsın, müslüman memleketini müslümansız bırakmasın. Âmin. Fakat elbette yarasa tabiatlıların bu nurdan gözleri kamaştı. Hemen başlarını mâbâdlarına çevirdiler. Hatta mırıldandılar: “Böyle birşeyi savunmak akademinin/psikolojinin değerlerini aykırıdır!” Neden efendim? Onlar açık açık söylemezler ya. Biz çekinmeyip deyiverelim: Zira kafalarındaki bilimin Allah’ı yoktur. Yani Allah varsa bilim yoktur. O yüzden yanlarında ‘Allah’ denildiğinde ‘Euzü’yü duyan İblis’e dönerler. Şeytanlarından önce kendileri çarpılırlar. Kaçacak mağaralar ararlar.

Will Smith’in, yaşanmış bir hikâyeye dayanan, dişe dokunur, mesaj içerir filmlerinden Doğruyu Söyle’de (Concussion/2016) buna benzer bir sahne olduğunu izleyenler hatırlar. (Hafızamda kaldığı kadarıyla nakledeyim.) Nijeryalı dindar bir hristiyan olan Dr. Bennet Omalu ABD’de adlî tabiblik yapmaktadır. Amerikan futbolu yıldızlarının emekliliklerinin ardından intihara kadar varan psikolojik sorunlar yaşamaları dikkatini çeker. Böyle vakalardan birisini, cebinden de para harcayarak, özel olarak incelemeye tâbi tutar. Teşhisini kesinleştirir. Durum apaçıktır. Futbolcuların oyunun sertliği içinde kafalarına aldıkları darbeler beyinlerinde hasara neden olmaktadır. Ve bu hasar ilerleyen yaşlarda kendini iyice belli etmektedir. Dr. Omalu’nun asıl mücadelesi bu teşhisten sonra başlar. Kamuoyunun dikkatini çekmeye çalışır. Bulgularını yayınlamak ister. Bir bilimsel derginin editörüne verileri aktardıktan sonra şöyle bir cümleyle sunumu bitirir: “Tanrı insanı futbol oynasın diye yaratmamış!” Editörün bu finale tavrı gariptir: “Tamam. Güzel. Tanrıyı çıkar. Elindekileri makaleye dönüştür. Bunu dergide yayınlayalım.”

“Tanrıyı çıkar!” dindarlığın, sahadaki bilimsel muvaffakiyeti ne olursa olsun, titri/yetki sahibi Nemrutlardan gördüğü muamelenin özüdür. Belki biraz da bu yüzden, Bediüzzaman, “Muallimlerimiz Allah’tan bahsetmiyorlar!” diye yakınan lise talebelerine şöyle cevap vermiştir: “Sizin okuduğunuz fenlerden her fen, kendi lisan-ı mahsusuyla, mütemadiyen Allah'tan bahsedip Hâlıkı tanıttırıyorlar. Muallimleri değil onları dinleyiniz.” Devamında birçok misalle bu uyanışın yöntemini de belirtir mürşidim. Teberrüken birisini alıntılayalım: “Meselâ, nasıl mükemmel bir eczahane ki, her kavanozunda harika ve hassas mizanlarla alınmış hayattar macunlar ve tiryaklar var; şüphesiz gayet maharetli ve kimyager ve hakîm bir eczacıyı gösterir. Öyle de, küre-i arz eczahanesinde bulunan dört yüz bin çeşit nebatat ve hayvanat kavanozlarındaki zîhayat macunlar ve tiryaklar cihetiyle bu çarşıdaki eczahaneden ne derece ziyade mükemmel ve büyük olması nisbetinde, okuduğunuz fenn-i tıb mikyasıyla, küre-i arz eczahane-i kübrasının eczacısı olan Hakîm-i Zülcelâli, hatta kör gözlere de gösterir, tanıttırır.”

Bu meselede yukarıda zikredilenlerden daha garibi de şudur bence arkadaşım: Bu sekülerizm kaselislerinin din düşmanlığındaki gayreti, bönlüğü, basitliği, iptidaîliği, hamlığı vs. Batılı pirlerinde dahi bulunmaz. Mesela: Psikolojinin Freud ve Jung ile birlikte ‘üç kurucu babasından biri’ sayılan Alfred Adler, İnsanı Tanıma Sanatı isimli eserinde, ‘ben merkezciliğin’ psikolojik sağlığa verdiği zararı izah sadedinde, sözü ilginç bir yere getirip der ki:

“Gelişmiş bir toplumsallık duygusunu içinde barındıran ve ‘Başkalarına ne verebilirim?’ sorusunu soran biri tüm karşıtlığıyla kendini beğenmiş kişiyle yanyana getirildiğinde arasında ne büyük bir değer farkının bulunduğu hemen anlaşılacaktır. Bu da ulusların binlerce yıl önce müthiş bir kesinlikle sezdiği ve İncil’in o bilgelik dolu ‘Vermek almaktan daha hayırlıdır!’ sözünde dilegelen bakış açısına götürür bizi. Alabildiğine eski bir insanlık deneyiminin dışavurumu sayılan bu sözün anlamı üzerine düşündük mü görürüz ki: Burada anlatılmak istenen ruhsal bir durumdur; vermenin, kollayıp gözetmenin, yardım elini uzatmanın insanın ruhunda yarattığı havadır; bu hava, ruhsal yaşamda kendiliğinden bir denge ve uyum sağlar, veren kimsenin kendiliğinden ele geçirdiği bir Tanrı armağanıdır adeta. Daha çok almaya eğilimli kimse ise çoğu zaman dağınık ve tutarsız biridir. Hoşnut olmak nedir bilmez. Tam bir mutluluğa ulaşabilmek için elindekiler dışında daha nelere kavuşması ve neleri kendisine maletmesi gerekeceği düşüncesiyle oyalanıp durur hep. ‘Gözlerimi çevirip başkalarının gereksinimlerine bakayım’ demez. Başkalarının mutsuzluğunu kendi mutluluğu saydığından, bir uzlaşmanın sağlayacağı huzur düşüncesine kafasında yer yoktur. Dikkafalılığıyla yarattığı yasalara başkalarının boyun eğmesini ister amansız bir tutumla, varolandan başka bir gökyüzü ister, bir başka türlü düşünce ve duygu ister. Kısaca: Onda gördüğümüz herşey gibi hoşnutluk ve alçakgönüllülük duygusundan uzaklığı da dehşet vericidir.”

Adler bu hususta daha birçok önemli şey söylüyor. Fakat yazıyı daha fazla uzatmayalım. Yalnız şu noktaya bir dikkat çekelim: Adler’in bahsettiği bilgelik, sadece İncil’de değil, hadis-i şeriflerde de bulunuyor. “Veren el alan elden hayırlıdır!” buyuran Aleyhissalatuvesselam Efendimiz de bize mezkûr duruşu bir anlamda tavsiye ediyor. Biz; Bediüzzaman’ın ifadeleriyle; hodbin, hodgam, hodendiş bakanlardan değiliz varlığa. Olmamalıyız. Kainatı kendi merkezimizde şekillenmeye zorlamamalıyız. Bu yalnızca ‘nazarımızda pek fena bir memlekete’ düşmemize sebep olur. Halbuki memleket fena değildir. Nazarımızda öyledir. Mü’mine yakışan hüdabinliğinden kaynaklanan bir “Herşeyle beraber birşeyim!” neşesine sahip olmaktır. Tevhide iman tevhidle yaratılmış herşeye bağlar bizi. “İman bir intisabdır.” Artık bu zeminde, varlığın merkezini Allah’ın esmaü’l-hüsnası şekillendireceğinden, mü’min ben merkezciliğin vartalarından kurtulur. İnsaniyetini bütünün amacına kattıklarında arar. Kendi varlığına kapanmaz. 

Aman, neler söylüyoruz, çenemiz düştü, Adler Efendi bizi tehlikeli(!) sularda yüzdürdü. Psikoloji adına cür’et edip İncil’e gittik, hadis-i şeriflere uğradık, Allah’lı-Kur’an’lı lâflar ettik. Cık, cık, cık. Oldu mu hiç? Şimdi Allahsız bilimcilerimiz böyle şeylere müsaade ederler mi? “Çaaat!” diye tanrıyı çıkarmazlar mı aradan? Bir antidepresan yazıp yollayacaklarken müşteriyi camiye yönlendirirsek elbette ekmeklerine kan doğramış oluruz. Kalpler Allah’ın zikriyle tatmin olur, tamam, ama bazılarının gözü maddeden başka şeylerle tatmin olmaz. O yüzden ne Adler’e, ne Bediüzzaman’a, ne hadis-i şeriflere, ne de Kur’an’a uyup böyle lâflar edilmesin dilerler. Bunların psikolojisinin Allah’ı yok çünkü. Eh, evet, ODTÜ’de ayetli bilim yürek ister. Kardeşlerimizin yüreğini tekrardan tebrik ediyoruz.

[battleangel]

NFL Machine: 2023 to 2024 False Narratives

While the young players in tonight's draft will be full of excitement and hope, the promise of a boyhood dream on the cusp of being fulfilled, a literal lifetime of sacrifice, blood, sweat and tears finally culminating in the dream of playing in the NFL, walking across that stage, shaking Roger Goodell's hand, putting on that team jersey with their name on the back and putting on their team hat, smiling for the cameras, their childhood dream coming true...

The fact of the matter is, a lot of these same men once they have exited the league, the majority of whom will do so within 3 years, and even the Pro Bowlers who play an average of 12 seasons, may not be smiling in 10 to 15 years after their playing career is over as that is typically where neurological symptoms of diseases like CTE, early-onset dementia, Parkinson's, ALS and Alzheimer's begin to surface from repetitive head trauma caused by subconcussive hits.

Not concussions -- the hundreds of thousands of subconcussive hits these men endure during spring training, training camps, practices, drills, scrimmages and games from Pop Warner in their youth, to high school and college as young men all the way to the professional level in the NFL.

While positions vary, and linemen, linebackers and running backs obviously take more hits than a quarterback or wide receiver, the fact is that every single person that plays the sport of tackle football is required to block and tackle and plays are only blown dead by a whistle if you take the ball carrier to the ground and physically stop their forward progress. You could also force a fumble, intercept a pass, the QB could slide or run out of bounds or throw the ball away -- but the inherent nature of football, unlike its predecessor rugby, is that every single square inch must be fought for and defended. Naturally, that results in some type of contact on nearly every play.

The majority of concussions at the NON-professional level -- UNpaid WITHOUT health insurance -- in high school and college occur during practice which means they are entirely preventable but still to this day only the Ivy League conference and one other university has removed hitting from their practices.

That is a lot of hits and they do add up and they do take their toll later on.

While not every football player develops a neurological disorder from playing football, and while there is an obvious selection bias in the brains autopsied for CTE by Dr. McKee as those players were already exhibiting symptoms or else they would not have had their brains donated to be tested in the first place, there has been a link proven at this point by Dr. Bennet Omalu and Dr. McKee that repetitive subconcussive head trauma absolutely can cause CTE and that every year of playing tackle football adds to the risk.

That is irrefutable at this point.

What we don't know is why some players develop neurological disorders and others don't -- but it isn't a question anymore that the more subconcussive hits a player endures, the more likely it is that they will be diagnosed later with a degenerative neurological disorder.

There is no test currently that can diagnose CTE in a living person as it can only be confirmed via autopsy posthumously.

So, we don't have a definitive way of knowing who does and doesn't have CTE until that individual dies and an autopsy is performed specifically looking for the tau proteins that form in individuals with CTE.

So, the link has been proven and the risk is there -- what we don't yet know is how many tackle football players have CTE?

All linemen? Most linebackers? Most runningbacks? Quarterbacks who take a lot of sacks? Other position players who play for more than a decade? NFL and college players who start tackle football between 5 and 8 years old versus waiting until high school?

While we won't know the prevalence of CTE until a test for living players is developed, we certainly know the risks, and instead of the NFL doing something to mitigate that risk, they have their team doctors lying to Tua and telling him that quarterbacks don't develop CTE, it is more a thing that happens to linemen and runningbacks when Miami's own former quarterback, Morrell, the back up to Griese during Miami's famed undefeated 1972 season literally died with the most advanced form of CTE, Stage IV.

And while Morrell played during an era where quarterbacks were unprotected by the rules, there have been college quarterbacks diagnosed with CTE, so for the team doctor to tell Tua when he was contemplating retirement that he has nothing to worry about because he is a quarterback and CTE isn't seen amongst players in the position he plays is an audacious lie.

With the NFL draft being tonight, I wanted to share a document that I put together of last year's season (2023 to 2024) where I documented in NFL games I watched any hits that seemed to lead to a concussion where the player either wasn't evaluated or passed the protocol too quickly or where the player was temporarily removed from play only to re-enter the game later or where the player finished the game only to report concussion symptoms after the game or in the following days to the team's facility.

I also notated where the announcers explicitly took place in creating false narratives for the viewer and I will include clips and/or images of the hits I am referencing when I have them.

Specifically, the announcers would either gloss over egregious, sometimes helmet to helmet hits, or there were times I saw a player collapse (Amazon Prime Black Friday game) and even having seizures (Cowboys game late season) and we were never provided with an update by the announcers and, in the latter case, the announcers never even mentioned that the Cowboys player was visibly seizing on the field (I tried to find footage of the hit on Youtube, Twitter & Reddit and was unable to).

In this post, what you will see is that the NFL is a machine that is constantly propagandizing both its viewers and players through the announce team, play by play and color commentating, as well as pre-game shows like Game Day Morning (NFL Network) and Sunday Morning Countdown (ESPN) by either minimizing, justifying, glossing over and/or glamorizing the violence on the field.

You will also see teams continuously lying about player injuries, especially concussions, dishonestly claiming after the game that a player had a knee injury when he clearly lowered his helmet to deliver the hit then promptly proceeded to collapse on the field (Amazon Prime Black Friday game) yet Miami stated the player had a "knee injury" after the game.

There are many, many other examples like this which should remind you of Miami lying two seasons ago that Tua had a "back injury" when he clearly had suffered a concussion as he was wobbly (classic ataxia symptoms) and struggled to get up and had to have multiple players assist him just to stand yet he still finished that game against the Buffalo Bills.

2023 to 2024 False NFL Narratives 11/24/2023 - Dolphins vs Jets On October 23rd, 2023, Jevon Holland fell to turf after colliding with fellow Dolphins defender vs Eagles.

He was on the turf for several minutes then evaluated in the lockerroom for a concussion by the UNC (unafilliated neurological consultant) and he cleared the test and was put back in the game.

The next morning (Monday), Coach Josh McDaniels confirmed that Holland had reported concussion symptoms and had been entered into the concussion protocol. He cleared the protocol a week later on November 1st and rejoined the secondary.

Tonight, approximately one month after Holland sustained a concussion against the Eagles, during the inaugural Black Friday game on Amazon Prime on November 24th, late in the 4th quarter, Holland lowered his helmet to deliver a tackle and immediately collapsed to the turf.

Earlier in the game, Holland had had a 99 yard pick 6 touchdown.

The broadcast stepped away to a commercial break directly after the above hit occurred and, when they returned, there was no update on Holland as they displayed a graphic on screen displaying the current AFC playoff picture and returned to the in-game action without providing commentary on Jevon Holland, who we had just seen collapse to the turf after lowering his helmet and delivering a hit just prior to the break.

The game concluded, and while Al Michaels & Kirk Hebstreit commented on Hollands incredible 99 yard pick 6, they never provided an update on how Holland was doing, if he had been evaluated for a concussion or if he had been ruled out of the game with a concussion.

In other words, the announce team acted like Holland had never collapsed to the field after lowering his helmet to deliver a hit.

As the game concluded, Al mentioned that the sideline reporter would be interviewing Jevon Holland about his 99 yard pick 6.

Holland was lucid, clear eyed and seemed 100% in control of his faculties.

There was no mention of him lowering his helmet earlier to deliver the tackle that left him collapsed and lying motionless on the turf.

Miami Dolphins claimed after the game that Jevon Holland had injured his knee, but during the broadcast of the game, a slow motion replay clearly showed that Holland lowered his helmet to deliver a tackle then he collapsed to the turf afterwards.

This is eerily similar to when Tua Tugavoila, Miami Dolphins QB, fell to the turf after a hard hit vs Buffalo Bills on a Sunday afternoon game two seasons ago, and had difficulty getting up, was visibly wobbly, stumbled, and had to be assisted up by several Dolphins players.

It was reported by Miami during the game at halftime that Tua had suffered a "back injury" and that he had experienced "back spasms" that made it difficult for him to walk when very clearly Tua had displayed concussion symptoms after being hit which included ataxia, a loss of motor control/instability.

Despite how obvious this was during the broadcast, Tua was never evaluated for a concussion and Miami Coach McDaniels defended the lack of even evaluating Tua for a concussion in the press conference after the game.

Four days later, Tua and the Dolphins faced the Bengals on Thursday Night Football at Paycor Stadium.

Tua sustained another very hard hit and slammed his helmet against the turf and immediately went into a fencing response.

He was put on a board and immediately ruled out of the game and taken to a local hospital where he was diagnosed with a concussion.

The Amazon Prime broadcast did mention that the head impact Tua clearly appeared to sustain on four days prior on Sundays game against the Bills which he then went unevaluated for and played through and there was additional speculation whether both head impacts occuring in four days could have led to Tuas fencing response with the hit he sustained during that current nights game against the Bengals.

After sustaining his second concussion in four days against the Bengals on Thursday Night Football and exhibiting a fencing response, a few weeks later, Tua received another very hard hit and he appeared to be concussed but he was unbelievably never evaluated.

Tuas QBR prior to the hit was over 100, his QBR after the hit was under 60.

Tua admitted after the game that he couldnt remember any of the plays he had just called during the game.

Despite all this, Tua was never evaluated for a concussion or ruled out of the game despite suffering a serious concussion a few weeks earlier vs the Bengals that led to a fencing response and him being evaluated at a hospital only four days after sustaining a hard hit Sunday vs the Bills which resulting in Tua stumbling and having to be helped to his feet by several fellow Dolphins for which he was never evaulated for nor removed from the game.

Still no concussion evaluation during the game although Tua admitted after the game he couldnt remember any of the plays he had just called during the game and his QBR in the game was over 100 prior to the hit and under 60 after the hit. And he had already suffered two concussions in four days just a few weeks prior to this game.

Still no concussion evaluation.

The next day, on Good Morning Football on the NFL Network, the hosts announced that Tua had reported concussion symptoms that morning when he reported into the team facility.

Tua was diagnosed with a concussion, placed on Injured Reserve, and ruled out for the rest of the season.

Even with all of this occurring to Miamis quarterback just last season, even with Jevon Holland falling to the turf after colliding with a fellow Dolphin on October 23rd vs the Eagles and lying on the turf for several minutes motionless and even after Holland was evaluated for a concussion in the lockerroom then allowed to return to play in that same game, even after Holland reported concussion symptoms the very next morning to Miamis training staff (just like Tua did last season) and they ruled him out with a concussion for a week, even after they cleared Holland on November 1st and Holland returned to play, even when Holland lowered his head approximately a month after sustaining the concussion against the Eagles on Amazon Prime's Black Friday game to deliver a tackle which once again left him motionless on the turf, Holland was still not evaluated for a concussion and he was instead incorrectly diagnosed after the game with a "knee" injury.

This is a systemic problem with the Miami Dolphins, their head coach Josh McDaniels, their training staff, the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultants (UNC) and independent spotters -- they have all failed.

Did the NFLPA, the players union, step in on Holland's behalf and intercede as they did with Tua the season prior which led to the "Tua rule" and ataxia being added to the list of "no-go" symptoms in the NFL's concussion protocol that if exhibited automatically removes a player from the game? You know the answer to that because unless you are a Dolphins fan, you have no idea who Holland is.

Miami is reckless with their players health and we have seen this play out multiple times now in back to back seasons.

Will the NFL do anything?

Will the NFLs top medical director say anything? Last season, the NFLs top medical director did admit that Tua "did not look like" he sustained a back injury.

Okay -- thats it?

No fines, suspensions, warnings or loss of draft picks for Miami's head coach and their trainers?

The UNC that cleared Tua last season and cleared Holland in October -- why havent they been fired?

The independent spotters that missed Tuas concussion last season and Hollands concussion last month should be fired.

Who protects these men from themselves AND their coaches, trainers, independent spotters, unaffiliated neurotrauma consultants, Roger Goodell, the NFL machine and the purposely oblivious fans and often neutered and ineffective NFL Players Association?

11/30/23 - Dallas vs Seattle On November 30, 2023, Dallas played Seattle on Amazon Prime Thursday Night Football.

During the third quarter, Tony Ferguson (#87, Tight End) caught a pass from Dak Prescott on the 5 yard line and Quandre Diggs (#6, Safety) hit him helmet to helmet.

It was an egregrious hit that Al Michaels commented on the broadcast.

However, there was no flag.

This is extraordinary given that Seattle & Dallas were the two most penalized teams as of that current season in the NFL.

Carissa Thompson even said during halftime that the laundry was flying like crazy.

Additionally, Bobby Wagner (#54, Linebacker) was called for pass interference for defending a pass to Tony Pollard that was nowhere even close to DPI.

Literally, even the Amazon Prime broadcast stated there was nothing there and it wasnt pass interference.

So, an egregious gratuitious helmet to helmet hit -- let 'em play!

But for the crime of playing defense, Wagner gets hit with DPI.

One of those plays -- helmet to helmet hits -- causes concussions and permanent brain damage and was supposed to be legislated out of the sport.

Pass interference doesnt cause the players' jelly and egg yolk-like unprotected brains to move around violently and rupture against the inside of their sharp and bony skulls.

Yet pass interference is what gets the yellow flag and what gets penalized.

Permanent irreversible and preventable brain damage is nbd.

11/9/23 - Panthers vs Bears Hayden Hurst (TE, Carolina Panthers) suffered an extremely hard yet legal hit from Jaquan Brisker vs the Bears on 11/9/23 that caused Post Traumatic Amnesia.

Hayden Hurst's father tweeted the following on 12/6/23: "@haydenrhurst has been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Amnesia by an independent neurologist as a result of the hit he took in Chicago November 9. Slow recovery, don’t know when he’ll be back. Prayers appreciated!"

Per the above linked video, the hit was hard but perfectly legal. There is no way to legislate hits like this out of the game without removing tackling.

Post Traumatic Amnesia has happened in an NFL game before, even if it wasn't diagnosed as such at the time.

Troy Aikman still to this day does not remember winning an NFC Championship Game for the Cowboys in the mid 90s.

He was concussed so hard that when he arrived at the hospital after the game, he asked if the Cowboys had won the game.

Aikman says to this day, he watches the game back, but he doesnt remember himself playing in it while literally watching himself play.

Joe Burrow told Colin Cowherd on The Volume podcast during the 2022 to 2023 season that there are entire quarters and halves in college games he played that he doesnt remember due to extremely hard hits that happened during the course of those games.

Burrow claimed that he was strictly talking about his LSU days and that this hadn't happened to him in the NFL.

Cowherd replied that he wasnt surprised and that Drew Bledsoe and Trent Dilfer had personally told him in the past there were entire games they couldnt remember due to how hard they had been hit.

Cowherd said it may be a part of the game fans dont typically know about but he agreed with Burrow that it was extremely common.

Is this level of violence acceptable?

Hurst now has anterograde (post traumatic) amnesia not from a car accident or an explosion in a war or a physical assault but from the sport of football itself.

Unbelievably, the Panthers have confirmed that Hurst is already back at practice as of 12/6/23 and Hurst advised that, far from the hit being career ending as many observers and journalists rightfully wondered, that he would be "back in a week or two" but not before confirming he still has 4 hours of memory from the game when he was hit (11/9/23) that he doesnt recall at all -- aka he is still suffering from the effects of anterograde (post traumatic) amnesia.

I realize some people never regain their memories of the lost time -- but should he already be jumping back in with the live bullets less than a month later in padded practice?

It hasnt even been a month and hes already back at practice and Hurst says he may play next week!

That is totally reckless.

It unbelievably gets worse -- Hurst was not removed from the game after receiving the hit from Brisker that later caused the anterograde (post-traumatic) amnesia and returned to play the rest of the game on 11/9/23.

Per the Panthers, Hurst didnt enter the concussion protocol until the next day after the game (11/10/23).

So, how many more hits did an already concussed Hurst suffer when he returned to play after the Brisker hit?

Could there have been a second concussion?

Once you are concussed, it takes much less head impact to sustain a second concussion.

When Hurst reported concussion symptoms the next day at the team's training facility and the Panthers entered him into the concussion protocol, is it possible that unbeknownst to himself and the training staff, that he could have been reporting symptoms for two concussions?

Since Hurst was irresponsibly allowed to return to the game and continue playing after the Brisker hit, we will never know.

From ESPN.com on 12/7/23: Hurst entered the protocol during the Thursday night game after taking a hit that caused his head to hit the ground. He re-entered the game and wasn't placed into the protocol until the next day.

He later was told by the independent neurologist that he was suffering from post-traumatic amnesia.

"That's what I was told by the neurologist but sounds way worse," Hayden said.

Post-traumatic amnesia, according to the Cleveland Clinic, is amnesia that develops after an injury. It can involve multiple forms of amnesia. It can invoke confusion and frustration in those impacted because they have difficulty remembering where they are, how they got there or any new information since the injury.

"I'm doing better each day," Hurst wrote ESPN on Thursday in a text message. "It's not going to end my career, just being cautious as I come back. Should be another week or two."

"I appreciate everyone reaching out & checking on me. I suffered a pretty nasty concussion against the Bears a few weeks ago & don't remember up to 4 hours after the game. Scary situation but the Panthers have been incredible walking me through this process," he wrote on X.

He added in a follow-up post: "While it was scary, it is NOT career ending. I'm starting my return to play this week, so fingers crossed I make it back for the last few weeks! God Bless & Keep Pounding !!!!"

Keep pounding???

12/11/23 - Texans vs Jets On 12/11/23, CJ Stroud (QB - Texans - Offensive Rookie of the Year) slammed the back of his head against the turf at MetLife Stadium and was entered into the concussion protocol and was removed from the game.

It is well documented at this point that 1/4 of all concussions occur from the players heads slamming against the turf - 1/4!

25% of all concussions in football, permanent brain damage, are caused by the players heads slamming against the turf!

Replace all turf in all NFL stadiums with grass!

Soccer players have refused to play on turf in the World Cup so they are switching the turf out for grass then literally switching it right back to turf for NFL players -- how wrong is that?!

The owners have the money and, as has been proven, for the World Cup they can and will remove the turf and replace it with real grass.

They just dont give a damn about players in their own league!

The NFL Players Association has tried to get turf replaced with grass in their CBAs to no avail.

On top of the unnecessary permanent brain damage, it has also been proven that 36% more injuries happen on turf vs grass.

Cleats get caught. Players get caught.

They slip and slide.

Tendons and ligaments tear.

And the NFL owners dont give a damn.

So, the injuries and permanent brain damage continue.

Additionally, the Texans coach was asked post-game if CJ Stroud would be playing next Sunday.

He had just been concussed that same night, removed from the game & entered into the concussion protocol and the coach was already being asked if Stroud would be playing in exactly one week.

Its disgusting, infuriating & fucking terrifying that this decision is left to individual team trainers, coaches & UNC (independent neurotrauma consultants).

NFL has NO mandatory time off after a concussion -- the only professional American sport that doesnt have a mandatory sit out time period for a concussion like the NBA, MLB, MLS, NHL, UFC & boxing all do -- all you have to do is "clear the protocol" and you can be back at a padded practice a few days later Wednesday then playing in a game Sunday.

For that to be happening with everything we know about CTE is terrifying, infuriating, disgusting, inhumane, fucking reckless, disingenuous and a fucking slap in the face to every player who has died from CTE, who has committed suicide, who has harmed themselves, their families, their friends, their neighbors & strangers.

Week 11 - 12/4/23 On 12/4/23, a week  prior to the hit that caused the concussion on 12/11/23, CJ Stroud suffered a hard hit against the Denver Broncos.

Two concussions in one week but this one was undiagnosed yet clear as day from watching the broadcast.

He needed help from teammates to get back to his feet and he appeared wobbly afterwards.

Stroud wasnt checked for a concussion and played out the duration of the game.

During another play against the Broncos in the same game on 12/4/23, Stroud briefly rolled his eyes to the back of his head, closed them for a few seconds then appeared unsteady once he stood back up.

Although none of the Texans trainers or independent spotters reacted to this, one of the refs motioned a Texans trainer over to check on Stroud.

The trainer checked Stroud on the sideline then he was immediately put back in the game.

The following Sunday (12/11/23) vs the Jets, Stroud suffered an extremely hard late hit from Quinnen Williams. The back of his head slammed against the MetLife turf and he laid on the field for several seconds before being ruled out with a concussion.

Week 13 is coming up this weekend and Houston has a chance to make the playoffs.

Although Stroud was entered into the NFLs concussion protocol Sunday (12/11/23), it appeared given Stroud seemingly briefly losing consciousness, appearing wobbly and needing two teammates to help him to his feet the previous week against the Broncos on 12/4/23, that Stroud suffered concussions back to back two weeks in a row -- the one against the Jets on 12/11/23 was diagnosed and the one against the Broncos on 12/4/23 wasnt.

Stroud was also in MVP discussions leading up to Sundays (12/11/23) game vs the Jets and is on pace to potentially break some rookie records.

So, there was pressure for the Texans coach to start Stroud and not Mills or Keenum that Sunday against the Titans.

Thankfully, when asked if the Texans will play Stroud Sunday, the head coach said he is going to put Strouds health and career longevity above any "win now" demands.

However, many Texans fans disagreed with this and have stated online if Stroud clears the protocol, since the Texans havent ruled him out of Sundays game, if hes medically cleared then he should be out there as he obviously gives the Texans the best chance to win on Sunday and keeps their playoff hopes alive.

Here lies one of the existential dilemmas facing the NFL: why is this decision left up to the coaches?

Because the NFL is the only professional sport in America -- out of the NBA, MLB, MLS, NHL, UFC & professional boxing -- that doesnt mandate a specific time off period once an athlete sustains a concussion.

Literally, Stroud could have done a full padded practice three days later that Wednesday if his coach wasnt looking out for his well-being and cared more about keeping Houstons playoff chances alive then whether Stroud will be able to remember his own name in 25 years.

Stroud has been concussed two weeks in a row -- against Denver last Sunday (12/4/23) and this past Sunday against the Jets (12/11/23).

What would have happened if the Texans HC felt differently and Stroud played Sunday?

What if he lost consciousness again and sustained a third concussion in three weeks?

What if he died on the field from Second Impact Syndrome vs the Titans on Sunday and, unlike Damar Hamlin, what if he didnt come back?

Thats where tackle football is headed.

Flag football has been added to the 2028 Olympics.

NCAA has added flag football as a collegiate sport eligible for scholarships.

The Pro Bowl this season and last were flag with no tackling.

There is a sea change coming as the CTE test in living players will be available in 3 years max per Dr. Ann McKee, the famed CTE researcher at Boston University.

That CTE test, once available, is going to confirm CTE in almost all current NFL and many college and high school linemen, most linebackers and running backs, many tight ends and some quarterbacks, wide receivers and defensive backs.

This is all coming.

Its why the Pro Bowl game is now flag football.

If I know this, the NFL knows this.

Its why you keep seeing flag football commercials with female players with the NFL's biggest stars like George Kittle and Tua Tugavailoa.

The NFL knows its where the sport is going in 10 to 15 years so theyre gearing up for it now.

CTE test in living athletes will eliminate the NFL's feeder systems (high school & Pop Warner) because the lower level leagues will not be able to be insured once its revealed that the vast majority of linemen, linebackers as well as a sizable amount of running backs as well as some tight ends, quarterbacks, wide receivers and defensive backs who are currently playing have CTE.

CTE has been found in non-professional tackle football players at the high school level as young as 17.

The NFL knows tackle football is going away and will be replaced by flag.

So then why not implement some changes now before we get served a live death on Monday Night Football along with our Buffalo Wild Wings?

Eliminate kickoff and place the ball at the 35 yard line.

66% of all injuries occur during kickoff.

Eliminate QB sneaks and onside kicks.

Institute weight limits to get rid of lopsided matchups of 100+ pounds (tight ends vs linemen, etc.).

Replace artificial turf with grass as turf causes 25% of all concussions and 36% more injuries.

But the NFL wont do any of the above.

Just like CJ Stroud potentially getting concussed again had the Texans HC played him and possibly dying against the Titans, the NFL just doesnt care.

12/17/23 - Browns vs Bears During Week 15, on 12/17/23, the Browns played the Bears. Towards the end of the fourth quarter, Za'darius Smith (Browns, DE) accidentally collided helmet to helmet with fellow Browns defender Myles Garrett (Browns, DE).

It was an extremely hard hit and Smith laid on the turf motionless for several seconds afterwards then the broadcast cut away for an injury timeout.

When the broadcast resumed, we were informed by the announce team that Smith was in the blue medical tent.

This was towards the end of the game so no additional updates on Smith were provided.

I googled Smith the following day (Monday - 12/18/23) and here is the first link I saw: "Cleveland Browns defensive end Za’Darius Smith exited the win in the final moments against the Chicago Bears. Smith was injured when he collided with Myles Garrett on a stunt in the game’s closing seconds. Smith was blindsided and stayed on the field for quite a while before being moved to the medical tent. His injury wasn’t disclosed in the immediate aftermath of the game. The Browns cannot afford to lose Za’Darius Smith for multiple games. The team has lost over 15 players to injured reserve."

The Cleveland Browns wont tell you but I will -- the incredibly hard accidental hit to the head that Smith suffered when he collided with Garrett and collapsed motionlessly to the turf for several sustained moments before being taken to the blue medical tent was 100% a concussion.

The reason the Browns "didnt disclose" Smiths injury in the "immediate aftermath of the game" is because they know he was concussed but they have already lost 15 players to injured reserve, its December football and a very tight race in the AFC North heading into the end of the season so they dont want to enter Smith, their best rusher behind Garrett, into the concussion protocol.

Even though he should have been. Even though he was concussed.

12/17/23 - Cowboys vs Bills During Week 15 (12/17/23), the Cowboys played the Bills on Sunday Night Football.

Donovan Wilson (#6, Cowboys) is a safety for the Dallas Cowboys.

Wilson was injured during a play and the broadcast briefly showed him convulsing on the field right before a commercial break but commentary didnt say anything.

Wilson was removed from play and evaluated for a concussion then he returned to the game late in the second quarter.

I tried to find footage of Wilsons injury and subsequent convulsions on the turf but I could not find footage of Wilson going down and momentarily convulsing on the field on twitter, youtube or reddit.

At the end of the day, convulsing on the turf after a hard hit and then being evaluated for a concussion should be enough to get you ruled out of the game.

Instead, Wilson was evaluated for a concussion -- after convulsing on the turf for several sustained moments -- then returned to the game.

12/21/2023 - Rams vs Saints On Amazon Prime Thursday Night Football, the Rams faced the Saints on December 21, 2023.

After a hard tackle, the running back for the Rams, Kyren Williams' (#23), helmet popped off and a player landed very hard on him with his full weight.

Williams was slow to get up.

Williams was then shown entering the blue medical tent and the broadcast mentioned he was being checked out.

Kyren then almost immediately exited the tent and reentered the game.

There was no additional commentary regarding Williams' helmet popping off after the hard tackle, the player landing on him after, him being slow to get up, him being checked out in the blue medical tent then him immediately exiting the tent and then reentering the game.

Was Williams checked for a concussion in the blue medical tent?

Did Williams clear the concussion protocol that quickly?

It was a huge career defining game for Williams, after he had made several mistakes in the previous weeks game, as he scored a touchdown and had several big runs.

Williams was interviewed on the sidelines after the game as one of the key reasons for the Rams victory.

What hit? What blue medical tent? What concussion?

12/17/23 - Jaguars vs Ravens "Pederson said Lawrence suffered the concussion on a scramble up the middle with five minutes remaining in the Jaguars' 23-7 loss to Baltimore last Sunday (12/17/23).

Lawrence did not leave the game but completed only one of his seven pass attempts after that play."

This is proof that Lawrence was concussed!

Just like with Tua the season prior when he suffered his third concussion that season and, during the game, his QBR went from 100 to 60 yet he was never even evaluated for a concussion.

Lawrence didnt complete 6 out of 7 passes after the hit.

He was never checked for a concussion.

He never was checked for a concussion in the blue medical tent or on the sidelines.

Per Pederson, Lawrence self-reported symptoms after the game and it was immediately apparent that the concussion was sustained on the scramble up the middle.

Pederson said Lawrence self-reported symptoms after the game and was placed in the concussion protocol.

Lawrence did not practice that Wednesday or Thursday.

Lawrence cleared concussion protocol the following week exactly seven days after suffering his concussion and was cleared to play against the Buccaneers on 12/24/23.

12/31/23 - Bengals vs Chiefs "Pacheco was forced out of the game on Christmas Day due to the accidental blow he took to the head from a teammate as his helmet was knocked off and fell backward. The impact from the defender caused a nasty collision as the independent doctor ushered Pacheco off the field for further examination and was later ruled out for the rest of the day."

Pacheco cleared concussion protocol and played on New Years Eve against the Bengals on 12/31/23 than six days after the concussion he suffered on Christmas Day -- less than a week!

Pacheco cleared concussion protocol in six days!

That is ridiculous and absurd.

Unfortunately, the NFL's concussion protocol is five stages and each stage can be cleared in just one day.

So, technically, a player can actually clear concussion protocol in just five days.

That is a totally reckless, dangerous and insane concussion protocol!

There is no literal way that anyone can clear concussion protocol in less than a week and be recovered enough to play a violent and collision-filled sport like football with guaranteed head impacts, hits to the head, hard tackles and required blocking and tackling on every play that result in subconcussive head impacts.

1/7/24 - Saints vs Falcons During Week 18, on Sunday afternoon (1/7/24), the Saints were playing the Falcons in the last week of the regular season -- win or go home for both teams so there was a lot on the line.

Algiers (Falcons, Tight End) collided with Avante Taylor (Saints, Safety, #1) helmet to helmet.

Taylor dropped to the turf without body control and lay still for several moments.

Noone called timeout to check on him and the next play was about to start.

The independent spotter signalled for a timeout and pulled Taylor to check him in the blue medical tent.

Despite the high stakes in the game for both teams and the high adrenaline inherent in the "win and youre in" nature of football, the system worked as designed for once when the Saints' coach and trainers did not call for an injury timeout but the independent spotter did the right thing and called for a timeout. Thats why the spotters are there and why they are independent and unaffiliated from the team.

Later on in the same game (Week 18 - Saints vs Falcons, 1/7/24), Tyrann Matthieu (Saints, Safety) lowered his shoulder for a very hard hit against Drake London (Falcons, #5, WR).

This was a legal hit as Matthieu delivered it textbook style with a lowered shoulder but it was an extremely hard hit.

London was very shaken up after the hit.

London was never checked on the sidelines or in the blue medical tent but he most definitely should have been evaluated for a concussion.

The independent spotter who earlier in the same exact game did such an exemplary job signalling to the ref and calling timeout to check on Taylor even though his own teams coach and trainer neglected to do so was nowhere to be found to do the same for London who also needed to be evaluated for a head injury.

The hit by Matthieu to London occurred on 4th down so perhaps the thinking was, they're coming off the field anyway, he'll be okay once he can catch his breath on the sidelines.

You cant "catch your breath" from a concussion.

2023 NFC Wildcard Playoff Game - Rams vs Lions Matthew Stafford (QB, Rams) was tackled by Aidan Hutchinson (Lions) and then a second defender came in and hit Stafford very hard in the ribs then Stafford hit his head hard after falling to the turf during the 2023 NFC Wildcard Playoff game.

This is the picture that started this post.

Stafford immediately grimaced and was in obvious pain & discomfort.

Stafford was then shown on the sidelines being walked into the blue medical tent.

The broadcast mentioned Stafford looked hurt and Collinsworth added that Stafford had hit his head hard on the turf.

When the broadcast resumed, they replayed Stafford slamming his head against the turf.

It was clear that Stafford was concussed and seemed to exhibit a brief fencing response.

The broadcast showed Stafford walking into the blue medical tent holding his side.

The broadcast then announced that Stafford exited the blue medical tent as Nucua (WR, Rams) entered the tent to be evaluated.

After Nucua exited the medical tent, Tirico announced the UNC (unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant) called a medical timeout to ensure that Nucua (RB, Rams) had been evaluated -- this was the right action by the UNC as Nucua had been shown on the broadcast as slow to get up.

However, Stafford had been shown in a slow motion replay slamming his head very hard against the turf, after which he seemed to briefly exhibit a fencing response and Collinsworth commented during the replay how hard Stafford had hit his head against the turf -- if Collinsworth saw it and we in the audience saw it why didnt any of the UNC or independent spotters see it?

Why didnt the UNC or independent spotters call a medical timeout to ensure that Stafford had been evaluated for a concussion?

Because this was the Sunday Night game of Wildcard Playoff weekend and it was the most Hollywood-esque anticipated storyline -- each QB used to play for the opposing team in the matchup for the first time ever in playoff history -- Stafford played 12 seasons for the Lions, then they traded him to the Rams and the very next season, he won the Super Bowl with the Rams and this was his first time back playing against Detroit -- Goff had played multiple seasons with the Rams, the Rams traded him to the Lions, Goff then took the Lions to the playoffs -- so, stakes were high on both sides and the Lions had not won a playoff game since 1991 and the game was in Detroit. Eminem was there and did the intro for SNF. And exactly none of that meant that Stafford wasnt concussed, didnt briefly exhibit a fencing response and shouldnt have been evaluated for a concussion -- but he wasnt.

1/20/24 - Divisional Round - Niners vs Packers Deebo Samuel (WR, 49ers) suffered an extremely hard hit to the side of his helmet and he was very slow getting up.

There was an injury TO & commercial break.

Once the broadcast returned, Deebo Samuel got checked in the blue medical tent.

Deebo reentered and then left the game several times.

With 9:40 left in the 2nd quarter, Deebo was shown running into the lockerroom.

With 4:09 remaining in the second quarter, Erin Andrews reported that Deebo was questionable to return with a shoulder injury.

Erin also advised that Deebo had previously missed two games earlier in the season due to a shoulder injury.

However, the replay of the hit Deebo suffered clearly showed a helmet to helmet hit against him.

We then saw Deebos shoulder being examined on the sidelines and Erin Andrews advised that he had previously injured his shoulder earlier this season and missed some time.

Deebo was then shown in the lockeroom at halftime without his pads.

When the game resumed after halftime, we were advised that Deebo had undergone some xrays of his shoulder.

We then saw Deebo on the sidelines in a hoodie and Erin Andrews reported that Deebo was still questionable to return to the game.

Deebo did not return to the game.

Chris Rose advised during NFL Gameday Final that Deebo had been checked for a concussion during the game and was cleared before being removed from the game due to a shoulder injury.

Per replay of the hit, however, the head impact Deebo suffered was due to a hard hit to the side of his helmet where he was slow to get up.

This is is the same hit they also claim he hurt his shoulder on and the shoulder injury is why he was officially ruled out of the game.

I think Deebo also had a concussion from the hit by Greenlaw and they covered it up by saying he reinjured his shoulder.

In the same game, Tucker Craft (TE, Packers) was hit extremely hard by Dre Greenlaw (49ers) on the side of his helmet as he blocked for Jordan Love (QB, Packers).

Craft was shown on his knees holding his head and was very slow to get up.

There was an injury TO and the broadcast went to commercials.

Upon returning to the broadcast, Greg Olsen (color commentator) advised that Craft had been slow getting up prior to the commercial break and that he was on the sideline, getting his eye checked out and that he appeared to "just need to take a breath".

Kevin Burkhardt (play by play announcer) then quickly advised that Craft had actually just entered the blue medical tent and he was getting checked out.

1/20/24 - Divisional Round - Bills vs Chiefs Shakir (WR, #10, Bills) suffered an extremely hard hit where he was sandwiched between two defenders then hit very hard.

Tony Romo stated on the broadcast that he could "hear the hit all the way up in the broadcast booth".

Shakir was shown on the turf holding his head.

Romo then advised the broadcast would be stepping away and there was an injury timeout and the broadcast went to commercials. When the broadcast returned, Shakir was shown jogging on the sidelines and Nantz announced that Shakir was jogging into the lockerroom.

Tracy Wolfson then announced that Shakir was being evaluated for a shoulder injury.

It was an extremely hard hit and he was holding his head when he fell to the turf -- not his shoulder.

Shakir most likely had a concussion and, just like Deebo Samuel during the playoffs and Tyler Brate (Bucs, TE) the previous season, they lied and claimed it was a shoulder injury.

Just like Tua's "back injury"  the previous season vs the Bills on Sunday -- before he was concussed a second time four days later against the Bengals on Thursday Night Football -- undiagnosed concussion Thursday vs the Bills where he finished the game --  then a diagnosed concussion four days later against the Bengals where he exhibited a fencing response &  was stretchered off the field, right?

Shakir returned to the game in the 4th quarter with under 5 minutes to go.

In the same game, in the first quarter of Chiefs vs Bills, Mike Edwards (S, #21, Chiefs) took a hard hit and was very slow getting up.

It was then announced on the broadcast that he was evaluated for a concussion and that he was entered into the concussion protocol.

Edwards was then ruled out of the game with a concussion in the 2nd quarter with 8 minutes left. The concussion protocol worked correctly in this instance as Edwards never returned to play and was subsequently ruled out of the game.

However, later in the same game, the concussion protocol failed spectacularly again -- remember, it had already failed earlier in the game when Shakir (WR, Bills) was allowed back into the game with a clear concussion in the 4th quarter with less than 5 minutes to go.

Knox (#88, Bills) taken out of game to be checked. Hard hit, slow getting up.

L'Jarius Sneed (Chiefs) also was "a bit shaken up" on the same play as Knox (#88, Bills) per the broadcast but Sneed stayed in for the next play and he wasnt evaluated.

Tracy Wolfson then advised that Knox was checked in the blue tent for a head impact and she said it "remained to be seen"whether or not he would come back in to the game.

Nantz then interrupted  Wolfson and advised that Knox was already back in the game.

AFC Championship Game - 1/28/24 - Chiefs vs Ravens Mike Edwards (Chiefs, S, #21) slow to get up and walked to the sidelines.

The broadcast stated he had been knocked out of last week's game vs the Bills with a concussion as I notated within this document two pages up -- two concussions in 8 days!

NFC Championship Game - 1/28/24 - 49ers vs Lions Dre Greenlaw (49ers, 2nd Quarter) delivered an extremely hard hit and appeared to injure his shoulder.

Greenlaw struggled to get up from the field.

He limped off and then slumped down on the sidelines and was in significant pain.

He was surrounded by trainers who removed his helmet.

The broadcast mentioned that his shoulder appeared to take the brunt of the hit and that Greenlaw was receiving a lot of attention on the sidelines.

The broadcast then cut away to commercials.

Upon returning from commercials, the broadcast announced that they were concerned about Greenlaw and that Erin Andrews had an update on how he was doing.

Erin advised that Greenlaw suffered a stinger after the tackle on #87.

Andrews further advised that despite suffering a stinger, Greenlaw essentially ran out of the blue medical tent and the broadcast showed a slow mo of Greenlaw running to his teammates on the sidelines.

Andrews further commented that people say that when Greenlaw hits you, he runs right through you, and the broadcast replayed Greenlaws hit on the Lions player (#87). 

The broadcast then showed Greenlaw on the sidelines receiving a shoulder massage from a trainer while another trainer removed his jewelery. 

Greenlaw returned to the game in the same quarter (2nd quarter) with 7:45 remaining. 

After suffering a stinger that caused him to collapse and drop to one knee on the sidelines in agonizing pain, Greenlaw returned to the game within five minutes and was shown delivering hard hits. 

Greenlaw was in the blue medical tent for less than a minute. 

The broadcast then advised that Greenlaw was the 49ers enforcer.

What stinger?

Later on in the same game, Brock Purdy (QB, 49ers) was tackled by 3 Lions defenders. 

Purdy was shown crushed underneath the defender flat on his back on the turf, his helmet partially off as it was an incredibly hard hit. 

The announcer conceded that the Lions "probably got away" with not getting a RTP call and that the crowd had noticed it and reacted to the missed penalty. 

As the broadcast went to commercials, Brock Purdy was shown walking to the sidelines in slow motion with a bloody lip. 

The broadcast stated again that the Lions had gotten away with a missed penalty and Purdy had a "bloody lip and all".

After commercials, the announce booth asked Dean Blandino (rules analyst) if the refs missed a RTP penalty on the last drive.

They replayed the hit against Purdy and Blandino advised that Houston (#41, Lions), lowered his head after Purdy had been tackled to the ground with force. 

Blandino advised he believed that the refs missed the penalty and Houston (#41, Lions) should have been flagged for RTP.

Later on in the same game, McCaffrey (RB, 49ers) had a very physical run where he got within a few yards of the end zone. 

When he was tackled to the ground, he landed hard on his head. 

The broadcast showed him a bit slow to get up. 

The broadcast then mentioned that McCaffrey landed on his head on the last play and that that was probably why he headed to the sidelines because he "needed a break".

Did he need a break or did he have a concussion?

After the 49ers scored a touchdown, their sideline was shown celebrating while the stadium erupted. 

While McCaffreys teammates cheered, he was shown on the sideline with trainers working on his neck as he grimaced in pain. 

The broadcast did not mention this as the stadium and 49ers were still celebrating the touchdown and, instead, advised that the Lions would need to score soon as there were 3 minutes left in the game.

What neck injury? What concussion?

The NFL Draft: Exploited Dreams As is probably clear from the above, I won't be watching the draft tonight. I have previously written articles on my tumblr questioning why I continued to watch the NFL despite all of the violence, dehumanization, head trauma, permanent brain damage, unguaranteed contracts, exploitative players union and commodification of players as products to be consumed.

For the past 13 years, I have watched football every Sunday from 9 am (Gameday Morning) or 10 am (Sunday Morning Countdown), the 1 pm, 4 pm and 8 pm games and Gameday Final -- from 9 am or 10 am to 12:30 am every Sunday; Mondays, pre-game on ESPN, Monday Night Football then ESPN post-game -- 7 pm to 12:30 am and Thursdays pre-game on Amazon, Thursday Night Football then Amazon post game -- 6:30 pm to 12:30 am.

28 hours of football a week, every single week, and me and my husband -- the only reason I ever got into football as I hated it prior to meeting him -- would make a different dip every week which we would then watch all day while we watched all the games. It was definitely our couples routine.

That was 2011 when I started watching football with my husband and slowly became a fan of the physical courage, larger than life personalities, confidence, swag, charisma, courage, physicality, calm under pressure and the general hypnotic and quixotic thrilling allure of the game, the spectacle of it all, the violent chess game that required aggression and strategy all appealed to me.

But I could never get over the helmets crashing, violence, injuries and concussions.

I bought Nate Jackson's book, Slow Getting Up, in 2016 -- he is a former TE for the Denver Broncos -- and that started nearly a decade's worth of research which has involved reading thousands of academic, scholarly and scientific journal articles, books, blogs and studies and conversing with attorneys via email who have been involved in litigation against the NFL.

Despite being a huge Joe Burrow, Bengals and Eagles fan, the amount of research, and the limitless depths and levels to the NFL's deception and depravity have finally served to mostly turn me off from the NFL.

I have previously attended Eagles and Ravens games in person. I have a Joe Burrow t-shirt, orange and black beaded necklace, sunglasses and cat ears as well as Eagles t-shirts and Super Bowl shirts and I attended the Eagles parade live when they won the Super Bowl in 2018.

From all of the above, I have decided to minimize my interactions with the NFL.

Over 85% of players who have applied for payouts under the NFL's $765 million concussion settlement have been denied. That's not okay.

The race norming bias where the NFL assumed that Black players were less intelligent so if they didn't fail their neurological assessments spectularly, they were denied disability benefits. That's not okay.

It's a long list that as you can see from this post kept getting longer and I could no longer put up with the racism, exploitation, lies, denials, gaslighting, subterfuge, underhandedness of the NFL.

The NFL is too similar to Israel - who they staunchly support while they murder 35,000 Palestinian civilians in a genocide yet the NFL would only give a moment of silence to the Israeli civilians who lost their lives -- 4,000 to 35,000.

Do the math that the NFL refuses to do.

The NFL's treatment of Colin Kaepernick.

Goodell's disgusting statements on George Floyd.

The NFL's treatment of players who chose to kneel during the anthem as is their right per the first amendment.

The NFL's racist dog whistles to its mostly aging and white audience regarding Trump, Israel, zionism & Black Lives Matter.

Its a long list that only gets longer.

Their exploitation of Damar Hamlin.

I have decided to go from watching nearly 30 hours of NFL programming a week every week for 4 months to only watching Eagles vs Cowboys, Bengals vs Chiefs, Eagles MNF & SNF games, Bengals SNF & MNF games, the AFC & NCF Championships and the Super Bowl.

I prefer this to zealotry and trying to just cut it all off -- I would rather cut off 90% of my NFL watching then try to go for 100%, fail and then things stay the way they were for the past 13 years.

I have unfollowed the Bengals, Eagles & NFL accounts on all social media and also unsubscribed from their newsletters.

I will not attend any more games at Lincoln Financial Field nor will I attend another parade if the Eagles win another Super Bowl.

I also won't be watching the draft tonight nor tracking who the Bengals or Eagles select.

I can't unsee these young men tonight, full of hope promise dreams and ambitions, twenty to thirty years from now unable to work, talk, remember their playing careers, their wives & childrens names.

I can no longer embrace these young determined men lured by the bright lights and big money of the NFL being exploited for their courage, physicality, talents, intelligence, strength & heroic feats on the field.

[3acesnews]

'Concussion' Dr. Bennet Omalu Advises NFL, Dolphins To Retire Tua Tagovailoa

[elen-000]

The Concussion Movie

In Concussion, Will Smith steps into the role of Dr. Bennet Omalu, a brilliant Nigerian-American forensic pathologist who exposes a disturbing truth about the NFL in the early 2000s. The film is based on real events and was inspired by an investigative piece called “Game Brain,” published in GQ in 2009. Directed by Peter Landesman, it brings to light the dangerous long-term effects of repeated head trauma experienced by professional football players—something that, until then, had largely been ignored.

The story kicks off in 2002, following the tragic death of former Pittsburgh Steelers player Mike Webster. After years of self-mutilation and homelessness, Webster dies under mysterious circumstances. Dr. Omalu performs the autopsy and discovers shocking signs of brain degeneration, caused by years of taking hits on the field. Omalu coins the term chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) to describe the condition, which could explain the disturbing behavior exhibited by many former players.

Despite publishing his findings, Omalu faces fierce opposition from the NFL, an organization unwilling to acknowledge any connection between football and brain trauma. As the film unfolds, Omalu's research brings to light similar stories from other players like Justin Strzelczyk, Terry Long, and Andre Waters—football stars whose lives unraveled in eerily similar ways.

The NFL’s refusal to accept the science puts Omalu in the crosshairs. He’s harassed, pressured to give up, and even threatened with deportation. But, despite all odds, Omalu persists. His tireless efforts force the NFL to finally confront the issue of concussions and CTE, resulting in players suing the league for not warning them of the risks.

At its core, Concussion is a gripping story about one man’s mission to protect athletes from the hidden dangers of a sport that millions love. Will Smith's portrayal of Dr. Omalu earned him a Golden Globe nomination, and the film itself shines a light on an issue that continues to be relevant today.

The movie concludes with a somber reminder: in 2012, Junior Seau, a famous NFL player, also took his own life due to CTE. His death and the subsequent lawsuits by former players solidify Omalu's research as a turning point in sports safety.

Whether you're a football fan or not, Concussion is a powerful film that challenges us to look beyond the game and understand the true cost of fame, glory, and athletic success.

[filmes-online-facil]

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Dr. Bennet Omalu (Will Smith), neuropatologista forense, diagnostica um severo trauma cerebral em um jogador de futebol americano, e investigando o assunto ele descobre se tratar de um mal comum entre os profissionais do esporte. Determinado a reverter o quadro e expor para o mundo a grave situação, ele trava uma guerra contra a poderosa NFL.

[nflsafetyinfo]

League of Denial: NFL's Concussion Crisis

"If 10 percent of mothers in this country would begin to perceive football as a dangerous sport, that is the end of football." that is a serious quote from an NFL team doctor to Dr. Bennet Omalu during a meeting. That should give you a feel for the pressure that was on Dr. Omalu. He made the mistake of trying to publicize an issue that the NFL did not want uncovered. But how serious are the Concussions that Dr. Omalu is so concerned about? This is just the tip of the iceberg as to what is discussed in "League of Denial."

The documentary starts off by describing the story of a man named Mike Webster. Mike Webster was a very famous lineman for the Steelers in the 1970s and 1980s. He was a beloved man that went completely sour after years of playing football. His wife and family report that his brain was clearly badly messed up and he could no longer control his angry as well. It was as if his mind was deteriorating. His wife ended up divorcing him, and afterwards he lived out of his truck for just a few months until he passed away. Dr. Omalu, a Pittsburgh doctor, was tasked with doing Mike Webster's autopsy. what he found was that he had been suffering from CTE, which according to The Alzheimer's Association, it is "a progressive and fatal brain disease associated with repeated traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including concussions and repeated blows to the head." Suddenly, there was an explanation for as of the changes. The documentary then told the story of a similar case of the retired player Tom McHale. He has had a lot of the same fits of anger that Webster had experienced. Now throughout all of this, we get a sense that the NFL does not want any of it to get out. We find it that Dr. Omalu is very regretful of looking into these CTE cases specifically because f how the league "squashed," him and his career. It is apparent that the NFL is powerful and a scary machine to fight against.

One of the most interesting people that was brought up, was Dr. Ira Casson. He is of interest to me because he was the villain of the story. On stated by US News, Dr. Casson specializes in neurology, and so you'd think it would have been a good thing when they promoted him the the head of the NFL's Mild Traumatic Brain Injury committee. Unfortunately this was not the case and he would prove to be a very bad image for the future of the NFL. He was a man that believed that you could suffer a concussion s on the field, and return back within the same hour. He pushed back heavily against Dr. Omalu's research and distanced himself from the new discovering being made. Many speculate that he had the NFL interest in mind and this may have swayed his opinion, but truthfully we do not know whether or not he truly held the medical beliefs that he claimed to.

In essence, the moral of the story and the reasoning for the documentary is clear. They want to spread awareness about the dangerous and life threatening injuries that can happen on the field, and to expose what was kept quiet by the NFL. The creators want to create a poor image of how the league has handled the new findings related to CTE, and paint the research and findings of Dr. Omalu as positive and progressive. The production team does a fantastic job of conveying the necessary emotions through musical and visual cues. If not for this documentary, we would probably still have a very limited knowledge as a fanbase, of how injuries truly affect the brain and head of the players.

[science-criticaltheory]

CONCUSSION - Official Trailer (HD).

Will Smith stars in Concussion, a dramatic thriller based on the incredible true David vs. Goliath story of American immigrant Dr. Bennet Omalu, the brilliant forensic neuropathologist who made the first discovery of CTE, a football-related brain trauma, in a pro player and fought for the truth to be known. Omalu's emotional quest puts him at dangerous odds with one of the most powerful institutions in the world.

Sony Pictures Entertainment

League of Denial: The NFL's Concussion Crisis (full documentary) | FRONTLINE

Why I stopped watching football

[tctmp]

Biography  Drama  Sport

[urbanchristiannews]

The "Concussion Doctor" Bennet Omalu Pleads With Dolphins Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to "hang up his helmet and gallantly walk away" at age 24 After Scary Head Injury. Here's What Daniel Whyte III Said About it Several Days Ago: "Pray For the Gifted Tua Tagovailoa; he Probably Needs to Consider Retiring Early Because After What we Saw This Past Week, he Really Cannot Take Another Hit Like That. We Have Never Seen a Man's Fingers Freeze up Like That"

The “Concussion Doctor” Bennet Omalu Pleads With Dolphins Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to “hang up his helmet and gallantly walk away” at age 24 After Scary Head Injury. Here’s What Daniel Whyte III Said About it Several Days Ago: “Pray For the Gifted Tua Tagovailoa; he Probably Needs to Consider Retiring Early Because After What we Saw This Past Week, he Really Cannot Take Another Hit Like That. We Have Never Seen a Man’s Fingers Freeze up Like That”

  Dr. Bennet Omalu has urged quarterback to step away from the sport at the age of just 24 The “Concussion Doctor” Bennet Omalu Pleads With Dolphins Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to “hang up his helmet and gallantly walk away” at age 24 After Scary Head Injury. Here’s What Daniel Whyte III Said About it Several Days Ago: “Pray For the Gifted Tua Tagovailoa; he Probably Needs to Consider Retiring…

[labelleperfumery]

'Concussion' Dr. Bennet Omalu Urging Tua Tagovailoa To Quit Football Forever

‘Concussion’ Dr. Bennet Omalu Urging Tua Tagovailoa To Quit Football Forever

Famed neuropathologist Bennet Omalu — the inspiration for the Will Smith “Concussion” movie — tells TMZ Sports … Tua Tagovailoa should never play another down in the NFL again after suffering a scary head injury last week. “If you love your… from TMZ.com https://www.tmz.com/2022/10/04/dr-bennet-omalu-urging-tua-tagovailoa-quit-football-forever/

[win-free-iphone8]

'Concussion' Dr. Bennet Omalu Urging Tua Tagovailoa To Quit Football Forever

‘Concussion’ Dr. Bennet Omalu Urging Tua Tagovailoa To Quit Football Forever

‘Concussion’ Dr. Bennet Omalu Urging Tua Tagovailoa To Quit Football Forever #Concussion #Bennet #Omalu #Urging #Tua #Tagovailoa #Quit #Football Welcome to Americanah Blog, here is the new story we have for you today: You Can Click Here To View Restricted Videos/Images in this Article Play video content TMZSports.com Famed neuropathologist Bennet Omalu — the inspiration for the Will Smith…

[3acesnews]

'Concussion' Dr. Bennet Omalu Advises NFL, Dolphins To Retire Tua Tagovailoa

[movieassholes]

Football is the most popular sport in America because it is so goddamned fantastic. And that? Right there? That is the beating heart of this city. And you want to what, end it? You want to fold up the National Football League?

Dr. Joseph Maroon - Concussion (2015)

[theliterateape]

The Unhinged Prince of Hollywood (…Or, How Will Smith Auditioned for the Brett Kavanaugh Biopic)

By David Himmel

Nothing would have made me happier than Will Smith losing the Oscar for Best Actor at the 94th Academy Awards.

I haven’t seen King Richard. I don’t have much interest in seeing it. I love me some Sisters Williams, which is why a movie about them, their talent, and their eventual rise to athletic dominance and global fame focusing so blatantly on their dad didn’t pique my interest. I know Venus and Serena were executive producers on the film, which tells me they approve of it, so I don’t have any beef with the point of view feeling very, oh, what’s that word… patronizing. To me, it feels like watching a film about the Jackson family and calling it Joe Jackson was a Fucking Prick to His Kids. Or like if a movie was made about Donny and Marie Osmond called, Our Dad Wore Magic Underpants.

I have heard good things about the film and about Smith’s portrayal—his fourth at playing a real person, which is usually a good path toward winning an Oscar. The Academy loves its impressions. The other three realies Smith played were Muhammed Ali (Ali), Chris Gardner (The Pursuit of Happyness), and Dr. Bennet Omalu (Concussion). Smith was Oscar-nominated for Ali and The Pursuit of Happyness. And he was famously not nominated for Concussion, which inspired his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith and he to boycott the Oscars in 2016. They said he was “snubbed.” I saw Concussion. It was fine. Smith was good. Oscar-worthy performance? I dunno. Apparently, the Academy thought not.

So, was it Will’s turn to finally get that trophy? Sure. But I still didn’t want him to win.

As The Fresh Prince, Will Smith was awesome. Loved his albums, loved his TV show. I played Homebase front to back throughout most of 1993. But his movies always left me underwhelmed. The same goes for Pinkett Smith. Full disclosure: I can’t name any movie she’s been in since The Nutty Professor? The whole family’s silver screen performances leave me underwhelmed. And that’s okay. I realize I’m in the minority of those who don’t pledge allegiance to the career of the Smith family. And that may be because Will and Jada have long struck me as smug elitists. Hollywood royalty feeding off their own hype.

So, when Smith walked on stage in front of his entire industry and the world, and slapped Chris Rock across the face for making a subpar joke at his wife’s expense, my desire to see Smith lose intensified.

Chris Rock is not a mean-spirited comedian. I think he’s one of the best standups of our time. However, even the best swing and miss. Rock’s joke about Pinkett Smith’s hairstyle wasn’t that funny. Did I chuckle? Sure. But it was cheap and dated. And Rock knew it. Right after delivering it, he felt the room groan and shift in their seats. Maybe because it was referencing a movie from twenty-five years ago. Maybe because of why she shaved her head—her alopecia. Now, if Rock knew about her condition and her personal struggle with it, then the joke was in bad taste. If he didn’t know—and I have no idea one way or the other—then it was a bad joke. Jada knew that right away.

While Smith initially laughed at it, Pinkett Smith made a disgusted eyeroll so intense I thought for sure it would dominate the rest of 2022 as the most popular meme and gif. Rock must’ve seen it, too. Because he quickly walked it back. With the eyeroll and the groans, Rock, a pro recognizing a bomb, said, “That was a nice one,” then tried to move on saying, “I’m out here…” before Smith got up from his seat. “Uh-oh,” Rock said. I assume Rock was going to say, “I’m out here to present the award for Best Documentary.” But he was interrupted by a bully charging the stage.

Then the slap.

Damn, Rock took it like a champ. Handled it like a champ. Maybe Rock should have played Ali—he might have won the Oscar.

In a setting like the Academy Awards, jokes—good and bad—are made at the attendees’ expense. It’s all in good fun. Even the vitriol Ricky Gervais threw at Hollywood during his Golden Globes hosting stints had an essence of I’m just kidding. There are very few circumstances where I can justify slapping someone in the face for making a joke. The Academy Awards is not one of them.

If Jada was that offended, the look and body language, and the groan of the audience was enough to send a clear message. And even if it wasn’t clear, which it was to Rock as we all saw, her husband charging the stage and assaulting Rock was an absurd choice. I’m all for defending your family, but Jada’s an A-list celebrity and outspoken on her own terms. She can defend her own honor. Will ripped away his wife’s agency and made an ass of himself in the process. He put Rock, the academy, and, arguably, Questlove—winner of Best Documentary for Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) in a strange place.

Will Smith out Kanye’d Kanye.

And then there was the acceptance speech when Smith ultimately took home the statue his wife was so sure he deserved six years ago.

A blubbering mess of emotions, excuses, and self-aggrandizing reconciliations to make himself look and/or feel better for acting like a brute. He knew what he did was absurd. An overreaction to a lame joke. But Will Smith can do that kind of crap and get away with it. Or so he thought.

He is, after all, Hollywood royalty. And royalty—with all its status, money, influence, and charm—can do what it wants when it wants. The Academy Awards are a gathering of the King’s Court. Rock was the jester, Smith, the prince. And the prince will be God damned if the jester thinks it can upstage the prince and the princess.

Smith displayed the most overused and exhausted Hollywood trope in real time in real life: toxic masculinity. Swooping in to defend the honor of his fair maiden. There was nothing valiant about it. Maybe Jada thought so, but the rest of the world didn’t. So maybe it’s best to keep their antiquated gender dynamics in their bedroom.

Not since Brett Kavanaugh has there been a more vibrant and engaging display of regretful toxic masculinity. “See these tears? They mean I’m really a gentle person and not an unhinged man’s man. Forget what I did because these tears are what matter! I’m crying because I’m sad. I’m crying because I’m angry. I’m crying because I’m just a hurt little boy who doesn’t know what to do with ALL OF THESE EMOTIONS!”

Slow down, dear reader. I’m not comparing what Kavanaugh allegedly did to what Smith absolutely did. Better to be assaulted with an open hand than assaulted with an open zipper, for sure. But their behavior is cut from the same cloth. It’s a material known as distorted self-exceptionalism.

The difference lies mostly that Kavanaugh never apologized. And up until twenty-four hours after the slap, Smith didn’t either. Oh, he apologized to his pals and the bosses at the Academy, but not to the person he owed the apology to—Chris Rock. Until he found the calm or the time to do so via Instagram. You know, the way adults apologize.

Will Smith is an overrated Oscar-winning actor. His wife has a non-life-threatening, but unfortunate, condition. They both take themselves too seriously and that was on display at the Oscars the other night. And because of it, Chris Rock took a slap to the face, and we got to see Will Smith audition for the Brett Kavanaugh biopic.

We’ll see if the Academy nominates him for it.

[residentgoodgirl]

On January 24, 1987, Todd Ewen, a young right-winger for the St. Louis Blues, knocked the Detroit Red Wings’ notorious tough guy, Bob Probert, unconscious with one bare-knuckled punch to the head. Ewen was a new recruit, just 21 years old, and the punch immediately solidified his place in the Blues’ lineup—as well as his role in the National Hockey League as one of the many players who regularly fought members of the opposing team.

Later that same game, Ewen and Probert fought again, despite Probert having been out cold on the ice less than an hour before. This frequency of violence was typical. Ewen would go on to play 11 seasons, a soldier in the vast army of so-called enforcers in that era of the NHL. He would fight almost every game, mashing his fists into a pulp that doctors were forced to reconstruct with wire and screws.

Ewen and Probert’s destinies intertwined after they first met on the ice. Probert was just a year older than Ewen, and he had a similarly grueling decade-plus career. After the two men retired from hockey—in 1998 and 2002, respectively—both started to forget things. They angered quickly. Each would be dead before his 50th birthday.

Their deaths were among the earliest to fan the flames of a national debate about the lasting effects of hockey’s brutality on its players’ brains. But through a twist, Ewen would become a key figure in the NHL’s controversial defense of the sport.

During his playing days, Ewen was a gentle renaissance man when he wasn’t on the ice. He wrote children’s books and crafted models out of hockey tape for his young fans. In 1998, Ewen retired from professional hockey and returned to the St. Louis suburbs to live with his wife, Kelli Ewen. After retiring, Kelli noticed changes in Todd. “We just saw some aggression that we hadn’t previously seen,” she says. “Mood swings, irritability, and not sleeping. Just a pattern of things that was alarming to me.”

Todd’s behavior only became more erratic. During one episode, he choked Kelli and the police had to intervene. In time, depression and reclusiveness replaced Todd’s anger. He routinely became lost and disoriented in the streets around his own home.

Todd confided in Kelli that he feared he might have chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE—a neurodegenerative disease that most experts agree is linked to repetitive head trauma. Research on the disease has largely focused on former professional football players, but it has also been discovered in former NHL players. In 2010, Probert, the Red Wings’ bruiser, became the second NHL player to be diagnosed with CTE. His death was followed in quick succession by the deaths of four other former players, all under the age of 40, all diagnosed with CTE.

In 2013, 10 former players launched a class-action suit against the NHL for their negligence regarding head injuries. Todd was aware of the suit but declined to participate. He ended his life in the basement of his home on the afternoon of September 19, 2015.

Damage to the brain caused by hits to the head has been observed for nearly a century. CTE was originally studied in boxers in the 1920s as dementia pugilistica. In the early 2000s, the Nigerian American neuropathologist Bennet Omalu described the pathology of CTE following research on former professional football players. Since then, CTE has been found in the brains of hundreds of athletes across a wide range of sports. It manifests as small lesions of a protein called tau, which kill the surrounding neurons. The consequences are devastating. Anger, personality changes, and memory loss are common.

After Todd’s death, Kelli and many others were convinced he had CTE. Kelli had Todd’s brain sent to the Canadian Concussion Centre to be analyzed. Six months later, the center’s neuropathologist, Lili-Naz Hazrati, called with shocking results: Todd did not have the disease.

The NHL seized on Hazrati’s negative diagnosis in its defense of the player’s ongoing head-injury class-action suit and in public statements by the league’s commissioner. The NHL’s attorneys argued that Todd Ewen died by suicide because he believed he had CTE, and therefore it would be dangerous for the league to warn players about the disease because they might kill themselves in fear. The NHL contracted 19 expert witnesses, including Hazrati, who in their testimonies injected doubt into the science of CTE. (The NHL did not respond to multiple requests for interviews.)

In April 2017, Hazrati invoiced the NHL $25,000 for her work on the trial. In her expert report and in a subsequent deposition on March 2, 2018, she claimed that there was no link between CTE and head trauma and that CTE was not a disease at all. In an email response to my repeated requests for an interview, however, a representative provided a statement that appeared to conflict with this claim, saying that “Dr. Hazrati does not deny that concussions can cause damage to the brain, potentially resulting in a progressive neurodegenerative disease.” (Hazrati declined multiple interview requests.)

The science of CTE is inherently contentious. Currently, the disease can only be diagnosed posthumously, and since it appears to present itself most commonly in professional athletes, researchers are forced to navigate a complicated web of relationships with athletes, sports leagues, and fellow scientists. The very existence of the disease poses an existential threat to certain sports leagues. While most researchers agree on the basic premise that CTE is a neurodegenerative disease linked to head injury, a cottage industry of CTE deniers has nevertheless sprung up. Hazrati’s research features heavily in the former pro footballer turned commentator Merril Hoge’s 2018 book Brainwashed: The Bad Science Behind CTE and The Plot to Destroy Football.

In 2014, Arland Bruce III, a retired Canadian Football League player, citing Hazrati’s research, accused the Canadian Concussion Centre of obfuscating the science of CTE in a lawsuit against the CFL and the Concussion Centre’s parent company. The case went to the Supreme Court of Canada, which declined to hear it. Kelli, too, held on to her doubts. She says she repeatedly asked Hazrati to retest Todd’s brain but Hazrati declined. Eventually Kelli had sections of Todd’s brain sent from the Canadian Centre to Boston, where a world-leading expert on CTE, Ann McKee, could retest them. In late 2018, McKee announced her own conclusions from the tests: Todd did, in fact, have CTE.

By 2018, more than 140 former players had joined the class-action suit against the NHL. In July of that year, they were denied class-action status due to conflicts between applicable state laws. The NHL offered a settlement to players in the suit that amounted to roughly $22,000 per player with up to $75,000 in medical treatment. According to a lawyer representing players in the case, most involved are expected to take the settlement.

In November, Hazrati told the Canadian sports network TSN that she does not dispute McKee’s findings, but noted that she was “surprised to see that Todd had so very little [of the] disease for an enforcer.”

Meanwhile, McKee’s positive diagnosis relieved any doubts Kelli had about her husband’s condition. But the results were only partial vindication. The NHL so far has not acknowledged any link between head injuries sustained during the game and CTE. Hockey players still slam into one another day after day. The NHL has taken incremental steps to limit fighting and hits to the head, but as CTE is being found in a growing number of hockey players, there’s arguably far more the league could do to save future players from Todd’s path.

We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.

[jegnohuyda890962-blog]

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Written By: Dr. Bennet Omalu Narrated By: Ron Butler Publisher: Brilliance Audio Date: August 2017 Duration: 10 hours 51 minutes