FN: Frank Gifford's family says CTE found in his brain

[jobberone]

Frank Gifford's family says CTE found in his brain
Published November 25, 2015
Associated Press

NFL Hall-of-Famer Frank Gifford dies at 84

[embedded video]

The family of Pro Football Hall of Famer Frank Gifford says signs of the degenerative disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy were found in his brain after his death.

In a statement released through NBC News on Wednesday, the family said he had "experienced firsthand" symptoms associated with CTE but did not offer specifics. Gifford died of natural causes at his Connecticut home in August at age 84.

His widow, Kathie Lee Gifford, is a host for NBC's "Today."

The statement said that the family "made the difficult decision to have his brain studied in hopes of contributing to the advancement of medical research concerning the link between football and traumatic brain injury."

http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2015/...says-cte-found-in-his-brain.html?intcmp=hpbt4

 

[jobberone]

I'm putting this in the Fan Zone for a time because of his contribution to the game and the fact he and Summeral were very prominent in broadcasting Cowboys' games.

Mods please move this to the NFL Zone before the game tomorrow.

 

[AzCowboysFan]

That's too bad. I thought I heard them say that 90% of football players that had their brain examined after they died had some form of CTE. Tragic.

 

[Tusan_Homichi]

That's too bad. I thought I heard them say that 90% of football players that had their brain examined after they died had some form of CTE. Tragic.

You would think that in the year 2015, technology in football helmets would be better than it is.

I mean, I'm sure it's much better than it was 40 years ago or something, but it strikes me as strange that we're not to the point where the helmets can protect players from getting brain-related injuries.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

Meh, . . . . . . . . Frank had a long and decent life for the most part. I dont know that this is all that big a deal news wise since he lived so long.

 

[Macnalty]

You would think that in the year 2015, technology in football helmets would be better than it is.

I mean, I'm sure it's much better than it was 40 years ago or something, but it strikes me as strange that we're not to the point where the helmets can protect players from getting brain-related injuries.

I think the point you are missing is that the helmet does protect against some injuries(not nearly enough) just not all. It is a primitive sport and the risk is real every game, we are at the infancy of the "understanding." Much like car racing went through with the seat belt, shoulder belt, airbag, head and neck restraints, crumple zones and more. Remember this game started out with no helmets and unfortunately the NFL is also driven by mad profits, I think we know who normally wins these games in the short term.

 

[Sasquatch]

I think the point you are missing is that the helmet does protect against some injuries(not nearly enough) just not all. It is a primitive sport and the risk is real every game, we are at the infancy of the "understanding." Much like car racing went through with the seat belt, shoulder belt, airbag, head and neck restraints, crumple zones and more. Remember this game started out with no helmets and unfortunately the NFL is also driven by mad profits, I think we know who normally wins these games in the short term.

Speaking of protective gear, would eliminating it actually reduce these types of injuries? Do rugby players have these same issues?

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Boxing : your head is NOT supposed to be hit
Football: violent contact sport. Getting a concussion , depending on what position you play is very probable.


Solution: take care of all the football players from 2015 back.

Going forward: you know the risk. Sign a disclaimer. Make your millions or go get regular job.


This is not that complicated.

 

[Kevinicus]

I wonder how many brains of non-football players they are checking for this.

 

[Macnalty]

I wonder how many brains of non-football players they are checking for this.

I thought the same about non athletes , would like to hear how rugby damages the brain without any protective gear. It would provide a nice baseline for comparison. This is a gruesome topic especially on a game day.

 

[CyberB0b]

I wonder how many brains of non-football players they are checking for this.

Apparently, it is an issue in youth soccer with headers.

 

[HappyOnions]

Go back to the early 1900's leather helmets and let's see how many defenders launch head first into another player...

 

[YosemiteSam]

Meh, . . . . . . . . Frank had a long and decent life for the most part. I dont know that this is all that big a deal news wise since he lived so long.

I don't understand the logic behind this comment. It's like saying a it didn't matter that a guy was color blind if he lived to 90 years old. The dude still suffered from color blindness, but the fact that he lived to 90 defeats that fact? No, it does not.

 

[khiladi]

I'm not an expert, but no matter the advancements in technology I don't think helmets would prevent the brain from moving WITHIN the skull violently from forceful impacts.

 

[Longboysfan]

I wonder how many brains of non-football players they are checking for this.

Not many.

But think of it this way.

As a kid how many times out playing did you get hit or fall and not understand what happened.
Same if you played any contact sport.
Football is just the sport where the head is sometimes used on an opponent.

I know of at least five times I got rung up as a kid and adult.
How many more I missed......

 

[Kevinicus]

Not many.

But think of it this way.

As a kid how many times out playing did you get hit or fall and not understand what happened.
Same if you played any contact sport.
Football is just the sport where the head is sometimes used on an opponent.

I know of at least five times I got rung up as a kid and adult.
How many more I missed......

None that I can recall.

 

[Longboysfan]

None that I can recall.

Hmmmmm.......