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Lisa McHale & Baughans

That was the simple yet startling question Lisa McHale asked, after describing her husband Tom, a Cornell University graduate, NFL veteran and one of far too many athletes whose lives ended as a result of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (C.T.E.).

It�s a question NFL players and coaches � and particularly those who directly or indirectly participated in the bounty scheme � should weigh heavily.

During her remarks at the 2^nd Annual Tom McHale Memorial Fundraiser last Friday night, Lisa McHale also noted that �The single greatest component in the concussion issue is awareness.� The truth in her statement � at least as far as NFL players are concerned � has been evident in recent days:

• Former Pittsburgh Steeler Greg Lloyd told WXIX-TV in Cincinnati that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell �s efforts to improve player safety �have really tainted the game.� Lloyd went on to say, �It's the National Football League; it's a violent freaking game � I want to see somebody hit a quarterback ... that is what people come to see. And at the end of the day if he gets hurt, so be it.�
• Jon Vilma, one of four current or former New Orleans players suspended for allegedly participating in the Saints� bounty scheme, filed a defamation lawsuit charging that while Commissioner Goodell was discussing the NFL�s bounty investigation, he �made false statements that tarnished Vilma�s reputation and hindered his ability to earn a living playing football.�
• The Louisiana Legislature passed a resolution requesting that the NFL reconsider the suspensions and fines imposed on the Saints as a result of the bounty scheme, citing �widespread public opinion throughout the state of Louisiana and beyond that the penalties imposed upon the Saints are too harsh and should be reconsidered."
• When they travel to away games this season, the New Orleans Saints will leave a seat vacant in honor of dishonored head coach Sean Payton, serving a one-year suspension for failing to stop the Saints� bounty system and for attempting to cover up the scheme.

They don�t get it.

SLI founder and CEO Chris Nowinski with donor families

If Lisa McHale�s message doesn�t provoke some attitude adjustments, surely Dr. Ann McKee�s comments do. At the McHale event, Dr. McKee, who heads Boston University�s Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy, showed slides of damaged brain tissue that painted a stark picture of the damage concussions and head trauma inflict. She has examined the brains of more than 70 deceased athletes � including former professional, college and high school football players, hockey players, pro wrestlers and pro boxers. More than 50 � ranging in age from 17 to over 80 years old � had C.T.E.

I wish Andre Collins, who represented the NFLPA at the Tom McHale Memorial Fundraiser, had been able to stay long enough to hear Lisa McHale, Dr. Ann McKee and Sports Legacy Institute founder and CEO Chris Nowinski speak. Each delivered a message that players � particularly those involved in the bounty scheme � need to hear, and Andre could have carried that message to them. Recognizing that we need to change the conversation from protecting the perpetrators to preserving both players� health and the game itself, Fourth & Goal looks forward to working with the union to make that happen.

Those of us who attended the 2^nd Annual Tom McHale Memorial Fundraiser � Fourth & Goal board members Maxie Baughan, Sam Havrilak, Maureen Kilcullen and Sylvia Mackey; Rick Volk; Dianne Baughan, Mary Laird and Charlene Volk; and I � will not soon forget Lisa McHale�s closing statement. �If my son Michael was asked, �Do you regret that you didn't get to see your father play in the NFL?� he'd answer, �No, I regret that he's not coming home for dinner tonight.��

Imagine that.

Bruce Laird
President, Fourth & Goal
Baltimore Colts, 1972-1981
San Diego Chargers, 1982-1983