February 6, 2015

I watched Kim Gorgens Ted Talk on protecting the brain from concussions, especially the youth brain.


Thinks to take note from the video:

A car accident at 40 miles per hour produces 35 G's of  force

A heavyweight boxer punching you in the head produces 58 G's of force

A tackle at the high school football level can produce over 100 G's of force, enough to cause a concussive force

High school athletes are 3 times more likely to sustain a concussion than their college aged peers and it takes high school athlete longer to recover from concussions

The more concussions that one has, the higher chance for a repeat concussion to occur.

3 step play that she proposes:

Study Up - learn about concussions
Speak Out - let legislators know what us, the constituents, want
Suit Up - wear a helmet


I listened to a short segment about football and ethics that was discussed last Tuesday at the Perot museum here in Dallas. Melani Ismail, wife of former Cowboys running back Raghib Ismail. spoke candidly about the emotional ride her life has been due to her husband's injuries. She talked about how she always steered her son towards playing basketball instead of football, but this year changed as her son took an interest in playing the sport his dad mastered. Former Denver Broncos receiver Nate Jackson was present, alongside Nahshon Ellerbe, a TCU senior and running back who will be playing football and studying at Rice next year.

Jackson had this to say about what he dislikes about the way football is played in the NFL:

“I think one of the biggest problems right now is that the players never have a say, whether it’s their own bodies, the medical health care stuff or the media stuff,” Jackson said. “So not only are their bodies controlled, but their minds are controlled.”

We see how the media controls players, dictating what they can and cannot do. This was made especially evident with all the Marshawn Lynch 'interviews" that occurred throughout this year. If you are not doing what the NFL wants, even if you are one of the best players in the entire league, then you will pay a hefty price, both figuratively and literally.

Ismail had this to say about football:

“I think football is a violent sport by nature. You have bodies flying around full speed, but it’s not a sport for violent people,” he said. “So, if you’re a violent person – if you have violent intentions – don’t pick up a football and think that’s going to be your way out.”

Athletes need to be aware of the risks the sport poses and need to understand that the game isn't for everyone. When your on the field, nothing crosses your mind except the game that's taking place. You won't think about your health or your body, you only can focus on the game of football. And, honestly, that's very frightening. Nobody wants to play with a level of cautiousness because that hurts performance. But wouldn't playing with a level of cautiousness insure more time to have the ability to perform? I think that is a pretty good trade off to make. 

I also watched Junior Seau's, Hall of Fame special on his career