Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated head injuries, particularly concussions and sub-concussive blows. It’s often associated with contact sports like football, hockey, boxing, and soccer, but it can also affect military personnel and others exposed to repetitive head trauma.
CTE results from the accumulation of abnormal tau protein in the brain, which disrupts normal brain function and can lead to symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, aggression, depression, and, eventually, dementia. Yasmin Davis explains the diagnosis of CTE can only be confirmed posthumously through brain tissue examination, although researchers are actively working on developing methods for diagnosing it in living individuals.
American football has faced challenges related to player safety, particularly concerning head injuries and long-term health consequences. Concerns about concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) have led to rule changes and increased awareness of player safety. Many former American football players have been diagnosed with CTE posthumously through brain tissue examination. Yasmin Davis notes that among them are the following:
Mike Webster, a Hall of Fame center for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was one of the first high-profile cases of CTE. Mike Webster was an iconic figure in American football, notably as the center for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 1970s and early 1980s. He played a pivotal role in the Steelers’ success, helping the team win four Super Bowl championships (Super Bowls IX, X, XIII, and XIV). After retiring from the NFL, Webster suffered from cognitive decline, depression, and erratic behavior. He experienced homelessness and struggled with mental health issues, which were later attributed to CTE. He died on September 24, 2002, of a heart attack at the age of 50. Webster’s diagnosis marked a turning point in the understanding of the long-term consequences of repetitive head trauma in football players. His diagnosis brought significant attention to the issue of head injuries in football.
Dave Duerson was a talented and hard-hitting safety who played college football at the University of Notre Dame before being drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 1983 NFL Draft. He was a former professional American football player who played as a safety in the National Football League (NFL) for several teams, most notably the Chicago Bears. He was a key member of the Bears’ legendary defense during the 1980s, which was known as the “Monsters of the Midway.” He played for the Bears from 1983 to 1989, winning a Super Bowl championship with the team in Super Bowl XX. Duerson later played for the New York Giants and the Phoenix Cardinals before retiring from professional football in 1993. After retirement, he struggled with cognitive decline and depression before tragically taking his own life in 2011. Before his death, he sent text messages to his family requesting that his brain be donated to the Boston University School of Medicine for research into chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and indeed, postmortem analysis confirmed the presence of the disease.
Junior Seau was a highly respected and accomplished American football player who played as a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for 20 seasons. He was known for his exceptional talent, intensity, and leadership on the field. Seau played college football at the University of Southern California (USC) before being drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 1990 NFL Draft. He spent most of his career with the Chargers, where he became one of the most dominant defensive players in the league. Seau was selected to 12 Pro Bowls and was named an All-Pro 10 times during his career. In addition to his time with the Chargers, Seau also played for the Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots before retiring from professional football in 2009. Throughout his career, he was known for his passion for the game and his impact both on and off the field. Tragically, Junior Seau died by suicide in May 2012 at the age of 43. His death sent shockwaves throughout the sports world and raised concerns about the physical and mental toll of playing football.
Aaron Hernandez was a talented tight end for the New England Patriots. In the 2010 NFL Draft, Hernandez was selected by the New England Patriots and quickly became known for his exceptional athleticism and skill as a pass-catching tight end, forming a dynamic duo with fellow tight end Rob Gronkowski. Hernandez played for the Patriots from 2010 to 2012, during which time the team reached the Super Bowl. However, Hernandez’s promising career took a dark turn when he became embroiled in legal troubles. In June 2013, he was arrested and charged with the murder of Odin Lloyd, a semi-professional football player and acquaintance of Hernandez. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. On April 19, 2017, Aaron Hernandez was found dead in his prison cell, having hanged himself. After his suicide, his brain was examined, and he was found to have severe CTE despite being only 27 years old at the time of his death. His case highlighted the complexities of CTE and its potential impact on behavior and decision-making.
Nick Buoniconti, a former professional American football player and Hall of Fame linebacker for the Miami Dolphins, tragically developed symptoms of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) later in his life. Buoniconti played an instrumental role in the Dolphins’ successful defense during their undefeated 1972 season. After his football career, Buoniconti became an advocate for spinal cord injury research after his son, Marc, was paralyzed from the shoulders down during a college football game. However, in his later years, Nick Buoniconti faced cognitive decline and memory loss, which were believed to be associated with CTE. Before his passing in 2019, Buoniconti was outspoken about the toll football had taken on his body and mind, calling attention to the long-term health consequences of playing the sport. His case underscored the need for continued research, improved safety measures, and support for former athletes dealing with the effects of repeated head trauma, including CTE.
Given its association with contact sports, Yasmin Davis of Miami explains CTE has sparked significant debate and concern about the long-term consequences of head injuries on athletes and the need for better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. Numerous studies and increased awareness have led to advancements in protective gear, rule changes, and variations in sports protocols to mitigate the risks of head injuries and CTE.
Protective gear changes due to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and concerns about head injuries in sports like American football have primarily focused on helmet technology and rule changes to minimize the risk of concussions and sub-concussive impacts. Helmet manufacturers have been investing in research and development to create helmets with improved impact absorption and protection against concussions. This includes innovations in helmet design, materials, and construction aimed at reducing the force of impacts on the head. Many teams and leagues have adopted helmet sensor technology to monitor and track the frequency and severity of impacts sustained by players during games and practices. These sensors provide valuable data for coaches, medical staff, and researchers to better understand head trauma and develop strategies for injury prevention. While primarily designed to protect the teeth and jaw, mouthguards may also help reduce the risk of concussions by absorbing and dispersing the force of impacts to the head. They are now being used in most contact sports.
In addition, Sports leagues, including the NFL, have implemented rule changes aimed at reducing high-impact collisions and dangerous tackling techniques that increase the risk of head injuries. Rules related to targeting, helmet-to-helmet contact, and kickoffs have been modified to prioritize player safety.
Increased awareness of the risks associated with head injuries has led to improved education programs for athletes, coaches, and parents about the signs and symptoms of concussions and the importance of proper technique and equipment use to minimize the risk of injury. Some research suggests that strengthening the neck muscles may help reduce the risk of concussions by stabilizing the head and reducing the acceleration forces experienced during impacts. As a result, neck-strengthening exercises have been incorporated into training programs for athletes in contact sports.
Yasmin Davis notes these changes represent ongoing efforts by sports organizations, manufacturers, researchers, and medical professionals to mitigate the risk of head injuries and CTE while ensuring the safety and well-being of athletes at all levels of competition.