Thomas Jones: Offering to donate his brain to study upon his death

[Tricked]

http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/02/health...html?hpt=hp_c1

Although his daily life isn't riddled with pain resulting from repeated pummeling, he is concerned about the long-term effects of the sport on his brain.

That concern grew after talking to doctors and players haunted by gnarly hits for a six-part documentary series, "The NFL: The Gift Or The Curse," which he is producing.

He felt his worries were founded when he learned that star NFL linebacker Junior Seau -- who took his own life last May -- suffered from a neurodegenerative brain disease that can develop from concussions known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy or CTE.

[CowboyMcCoy]

Interesting and morbid too.

[Hoofbite]

Originally Posted by CowboyMcCoy

Interesting and morbid too.

Yeah, I'm not really a fan of it.

It's almost a little too much. For some, it's bordering on human sacrifice in shooting themselves anywhere but the head like Seau did.

I'm not entirely sure what good another brain will do. Strengthen the argument I suppose but the evidence is pretty strong.

I've got a few subscriptions to magazines and I think I've seen at least 3 articles in different magazines on the issue. I recently read a CNN article where they have identified a marker typically seen in Alzheimer's and they are now seeing it show up in living ex-players which really kind of pushes the argument a bit further because only autopsy has been used prior.

I think it should be pretty accepted at this point that these people are suffering from the cumulative effects and I really think the argument should focus on ways to improve diagnosing them and treating them as well as improve equipment.

[burmafrd]

there should be a way to design a better helmet to protect the brain better.

[IlliniNation]

A lot of players choose not to wear the best rated helmet for head protection. I don't know why.