Brain Disease and Football - Research Paper Example

Football is one of the most physically demanding sports on the body, contrasted to a cohort of other sports. Be that as it may, fans and people who have never played football and any other physically demanding sports may have a hard time comprehending the degree of physical toll that emanates from such sports. Furthermore, there has been a negligible professional connection between football and health concerns until the past few years. Along these lines, the past decade has been characterized by heightened outcry and professional concerns about the adverse ramifications that stem from football. Key among these concerns revolve around the connection of football to brain disease. Today, numerous ex-football players have been reported to have tested positive for brain disease with most of them in critical conditions (Cullinane and Kounang). A neurodegenerative disease, commonly referred to as Lou Gehrigs disease, is a common brain disease among ex-football players that kills the connection of the brain to the muscles, rendering the patients paralyzed (Cullinane and Kounang). People suffering from this disease still have brain activities, but since the relationship between the brain and the muscles stops, they remain immobile (1). Moreover, extensive research now affirms that the brain disease is more rampant and more susceptible to football players, something that the National Football League (NFL) was reluctant to acknowledge (FainaruMark and Fainaru-Wada). The NFL has always been hesitant to concede to the connection between football and brain disease, an aspect that could have caused the numerous cases. If the NFL was more willing to acknowledge these dangers, adequate precautionary measures could have been put in place to avoid the adversity of this disease. Subsequently, it becomes imperative to take a gander at the viability of football; is football worth the brain disease risk?

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The NFL has for the longest period maintained that there is no plausible connection between football and brain disease, a stand that has been dismissed by most as a selfish effort to protect its image and profitability. Such a direct link would taint the leagues attractiveness, and decrease its profitability. Fortunately, following numerous professional confirmation, the league has now acknowledged that football players are more prone to brain disease. Be that as it may, some may argue that the league is not to blame given that there is little that could be done to protect the players from the disease. Besides, concussions are common injuries that stem from the rapid head blows. Most footballers, therefore, are more likely to suffer enduring brain damage as a result of continuous crippling blows on the head during their football careers. Unfortunately, most of these injuries are difficult to catch during their early stages which make them harder to manage (Willingham). Most cases are detected when its too late leaving the players in misery and suffering.

Consequently, the NFL should integrate efficient measures to protect the players from brain disease. The league has been tainted by numerous distressing stories of ex-football players who harmed themselves, ended up in depression, or succumbed to ill effects of brain disease. Whats more, some players are suffering in silence while others are unaware of their ailments. Thus, the NFL ought to extend a hand to these players. The issue of concussions and other brain damages among the league players is one that should be handled head on. In any case, the way to taking care of the issue of brain disease in the league is heightened awareness on the menace. Players in the NFL in specific and all footballers, in general, should be enlightened in some frame on the manifestations of a concussion, brain disease, as well as the conceivable long-haul ramifications.

Works Cited

Cullinane, Susannah and Nadia Kounang. Football greats Dwight Clark, Gale Sayers battle brain diseases. 20 March 2017. Web. 31 May 2017.

FainaruMark, Steve and Fainaru-Wada. Latest studies: Brain disease from contact sports more common. 16 March 2016. Web. 31 May 2017.

Willingham, Emily. How Did Kevin Turner's Football-Induced Brain Disease Look Like ALS? 6 November 2016. Web. 31 May 2017.