When you get good at a sport, you may be familiar with the praise that follows. Get really good, and you become a god amongst the puny mortals of the less athletic. It takes talent to excel. And beyond that, it takes ego. To be a major league athlete means to excel under the eyes of millions. On the field, they are untouchable. With that sort of mindset, it is easy to let it get to your head. It is considerably less easy when that head gets concussed. It is perhaps one of the worse, more literal treatments for an inflated skull that few would agree is deserved. Though our bodies may differ, in the end our minds are all unspeakably fragile.
Dozens of NFL athletes have been taken out of play each season due to complications regarding head injuries. In the end, to stand above all simply leaves way for a longer path to fall. However, hitting rock bottom merely gives the opportunity to rise again.
Over the years, numerous NFL players have given up the sport due to health reasons. One of these players, former linebacker Luke Kuechly, retired from the league in 2020. After repeatedly sustaining several concussions over his eight-year career, he left due to concerns over the long-term cognitive damage it could cause. Now at 32, Kuechly retains his ties to football to coach aspiring 12-year-olds with past teammate Greg Olsen. He works to spread awareness about cognitive health, speaking at Congress and informing the parents of his protégés.
Throughout the history of football, knowledge on the dangers of head injuries remained slim within the leagues of NFL. It was only within the past decade or so that education on cognitive injuries began to change. Multiple healthcare professionals were to stand to the side, ready to inspect and pull players off the field in case that abnormalities were discovered. Players had to seek approval before they were allowed to return to the game.
As stated by various doctors and athletes experienced with head injuries, concussions put the body in a situation one could not simply walk off. Along with the typical disorientation, further abnormalities may transpire. If left untreated, a simple concussion may progress into a slew of mental health problems, difficulties with motor functions, and risk of repeated impact. The result of an ignored head injury could spiral to the end of an athlete’s career, and may carry far beyond that. Proper recovery time is required in order to prevent more serious, lasting damage.
Football is a contact sport involving much heavy hitting. It is often regarded as a violent sport compared to other major leagues games such as soccer or baseball. Athletes involved in this field are often far more prone to injury that has a tendency to accumulate. Though it may teach players of steel, grit, as well as the value of teamwork, it is important to note that safety should always come first.
Dozens of NFL athletes have been taken out of play each season due to complications regarding head injuries. In the end, to stand above all simply leaves way for a longer path to fall. However, hitting rock bottom merely gives the opportunity to rise again.
Over the years, numerous NFL players have given up the sport due to health reasons. One of these players, former linebacker Luke Kuechly, retired from the league in 2020. After repeatedly sustaining several concussions over his eight-year career, he left due to concerns over the long-term cognitive damage it could cause. Now at 32, Kuechly retains his ties to football to coach aspiring 12-year-olds with past teammate Greg Olsen. He works to spread awareness about cognitive health, speaking at Congress and informing the parents of his protégés.
Throughout the history of football, knowledge on the dangers of head injuries remained slim within the leagues of NFL. It was only within the past decade or so that education on cognitive injuries began to change. Multiple healthcare professionals were to stand to the side, ready to inspect and pull players off the field in case that abnormalities were discovered. Players had to seek approval before they were allowed to return to the game.
As stated by various doctors and athletes experienced with head injuries, concussions put the body in a situation one could not simply walk off. Along with the typical disorientation, further abnormalities may transpire. If left untreated, a simple concussion may progress into a slew of mental health problems, difficulties with motor functions, and risk of repeated impact. The result of an ignored head injury could spiral to the end of an athlete’s career, and may carry far beyond that. Proper recovery time is required in order to prevent more serious, lasting damage.
Football is a contact sport involving much heavy hitting. It is often regarded as a violent sport compared to other major leagues games such as soccer or baseball. Athletes involved in this field are often far more prone to injury that has a tendency to accumulate. Though it may teach players of steel, grit, as well as the value of teamwork, it is important to note that safety should always come first.
