Dubai: More sports should wake up to the threat of concussion after the National Football League (NFL) scandal, according to former New York Giants defensive lineman and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) sufferer Leonard Marshall.
“I don’t understand why other sports aren’t taking this matter seriously or as serious as they should be,” the two-time Super Bowl winner told Gulf News.
“I feel as if the disconnect for the most part is that sports are waiting to see the outcome of the NFL concussion lawsuit settlement and how the NFL treats its players going forward.
“The subject is a hot conversation for everyone involved in sport at every level — whether it’s a six-year-old playing flag football or an eight-year-old playing soccer or lacrosse,” he added.
“Traumatic brain injury, cognitive impairment and concussion protocol should remain at the top of the minds of those presiding over sport. This should be prioritised while not allowing the powers dedicated to the wellness of these athletes to sweep it under the rug.
“This is a problem that won’t go away in sport for a long time, especially since athletes are getting bigger, faster, stronger and are offered more nutritional supplements to help grow the body and make it more durable.”
Personal struggle
Of his own battles with CTE, Marshall added: “Over 13 years spent playing in the NFL it has been determined from practice to games that I have had over 300,000 direct blows to the area of my frontal lobe.
“Early on it was very tough coping with who I am now versus who I used to be. My brain health was strongest as a player. My ability to think and make good decisions was always a strong asset of mine in terms of fatherhood and parenting.
“This sort of destroyed my relationship with my now 19-year-old daughter. Severe short-term memory loss, migraines, erratic behaviour and extreme issues with regards to light have impacted on my life significantly.
“The NFL shared a moral and ethical obligation to protect its players. But it’s obvious that as long as you’re making money for the NFL, the concern and attention is there for you as a player.
“It’s once you become retired and you’re no longer producing on the field, which means they can’t market merchandise or expand sales of products associated with your name, rights, likeness and image, that you become forgotten.”
