In his remarks about some Chiefs� �fans� cheering when Matt Cassel suffered a head injury, Eric Winston got it right. In the years since I played the game, we�ve learned a tremendous amount about the long-lasting ramifications of football injuries, particularly concussions and head trauma.
Researchers at Boston University�s
Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy estimate that
retired NFL players are at least eight times more likely to be diagnosed with ALS than the general adult male population. The CSTE researchers also discovered a link between repetitive head trauma and a disease similar to ALS, as well as to Alzheimer�s.
More than 25 retired NFL players have been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the result of repeated blows to the head. Former Baltimore Colts� Hall of Fame TE John Mackey was one of those players. Diagnosed with dementia at 59 years old, Mackey became a startling symbol of the effects of repetitive head trauma as he declined over the 10 years before his death in July 2011.
John Mackey was the catalyst for the Baltimore Colts� alumni to form Fourth & Goal Foundation to advocate for improved pension and disability benefits and representation for former NFL players, and to raise funds to assist those retired players in need. Through this all-volunteer effort, we�re raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help support those who, like Mackey, suffer the long-lasting effects of football injuries.
That�s why it bothers me that some �fans� cheered when Cassel was injured. I�ve seen too much � too many teammates suffering, too many wives struggling to care for their husbands, too many children growing up without their father � to remain silent.
I urge those who cheered Cassel�s injury to visit Fourth & Goal�s website,
www.FourthAndGoalUnites.com, to read about our efforts to assist retired players who are dealing with the long-lasting effects of football injuries, and Sports Legacy Institute�s website,
www.SportsLegacy.org, to learn about research into head trauma and CTE.
If these �fans� still feel compelled to cheer a player�s injury, I urge them to sell their Chiefs� game tickets and donate the proceeds to support Fourth & Goal, Sports Legacy Institute and/or Matt Cassel�s favorite charity.It�s the least they can do.
Bruce Laird
President, Fourth & Goal Foundation
Baltimore Colts, 1972-1981
San Diego Chargers, 1982-1983
