Antwaan Randle El Regrets Playing Football

[Jakology]

I feel badly for him, but this stuff grabs the headlines, while the 80-90% of former NFL players show no signs of these things.

That 10-20% falls in line with the general dementia rate, does it not?

I agree that playing football can accelerate the process, but being the primary cause of dementia among NFL players? A pretty flawed theory, IMO.

I don't think we have the real numbers yet. There needs to be more research and tests done. I think this issue is just getting started.

 

[NinersFan80]

Chris Borland is a smart man for walking away from the game. After seeing Concussion and more stories like this it is really shocking how prevalent this is and how much worse it is going to get as more players start coming out

 

[Stomp]

Perhaps even more telling is the fact that Randle El, just 36, has already started to feel the effects. He has trouble walking up and down the stairs and has mental lapses.

in the same boat its called getting old

 

[SonnyCID]

I feel badly for him, but this stuff grabs the headlines, while the 80-90% of former NFL players show no signs of these things.

That 10-20% falls in line with the general dementia rate, does it not?

I agree that playing football can accelerate the process, but being the primary cause of dementia among NFL players? A pretty flawed theory, IMO.

Not sure how accurate those numbers are. But CTE is the concern, which causes dementia.

New: 87 Deceased NFL Players Test Positive for Brain Disease

 

[boogiewithstu2007]

Dam ... NFL needs to really get some serious science into the helmets... OR just stop wearing them all together and make it like Rugby when guy's tackle... You don't hear about brain injuries in Rugby do you ? With no helmets they don't use their heads like weapons they always tackle and hit keeping their heads safer..

 

[DragonfromTO]

I feel badly for him, but this stuff grabs the headlines, while the 80-90% of former NFL players show no signs of these things.

That 10-20% falls in line with the general dementia rate, does it not?

I agree that playing football can accelerate the process, but being the primary cause of dementia among NFL players? A pretty flawed theory, IMO.

Dude is only 36 years old though. How much of the "general population" is having these kinds of problems that early in life? Describing it simply as "accelerating the process" doesn't seem like it does justice to what's happening here

 

[redseat]

in the same boat its called getting old

36 is not old... And he is "getting old" because of all the hits he took.

 

[eaglesnut]

Are the problems not related to the painkillers these guys are given?

 

[wings-pens2166]

Are the problems not related to the painkillers these guys are given?

in a roundabout way, yes they are. the pain is telling them their bodies are injured and in need of rest to recover. however, the painkillers tell them their bodies are just fine, and so they go out and inflict even more damage to themselves.

 

[{+}Mother-Marge{+}]

....I laugh everytime I hear that there won't be an NFL/in 25-50 yrs. because of concussion-related/injuries,.....who's gonna ''bannish'' it..?!,......*we stil have boxing last I heard*...?!,...ps,....I see 32 UHauls all moving to either Canada or Mexico if our Gov't ever got cute.

 

[{+}Mother-Marge{+}]

Golf takes a toll quickly. At least for me. I struggle to maintain stamina after the front 9 when it's sunny and 60+. May be because I'm more of an aggressive player, and I put too much elbow grease into my swings. I just can't get myself out of that habit. I lose a good 10 or so golf balls every time I golf, because I pull everything right. I can't imagine what it's like to be on the PGA tour. I honestly have the highest respect for all athletes, because I understand that every sport is very tough to master and make it through a full season.

.......*it must be horrifying/walking underneath that T-Rex*....

 

[eaglesnut]

in a roundabout way, yes they are. the pain is telling them their bodies are injured and in need of rest to recover. however, the painkillers tell them their bodies are just fine, and so they go out and inflict even more damage to themselves.

I meant the chemical concoctions affect on the brain itself. A population of heroin addicts exhibits the same effects without the physical contact.

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

Some sort of change needs to be done in the NFL, to prevent these long-term injuries or diseases from occurring. Just not sure what they can do?..

 

[RP-29]

Maybe with the billions of dollars the NFL makes off the players, they can install stairlifts in the houses of qualified retired veterans like Antwaan Randle El?

 

[J-Rod]

Sad news and I really hope there is some recovery for him in the long run. This seems like a bizarre case to me at such an early age. Dude is having problems walking down the steps at 36. Sad.

 

[Lakers+USC=#1]

I feel badly for him, but this stuff grabs the headlines, while the 80-90% of former NFL players show no signs of these things.

That 10-20% falls in line with the general dementia rate, does it not?

I agree that playing football can accelerate the process, but being the primary cause of dementia among NFL players? A pretty flawed theory, IMO.

I 100% agree! There was also a study that showed that NFL players long after retirement, were healthier than the average man in their age groups.

 

[Dude]

Meh, I can feel for the guy but c'mon this is no worse than anyone in doubt about career choices. I was a great 3rd base player in high school with scholarship possibilities, but decided to go into business studies instead. Managing a company can produce similar symptoms of dementia...

 

[chf]

It's not just a football problem. It's a contact sport problem. Hockey is having the same issues.

 

[Davis_Mike]

Not sure how accurate those numbers are. But CTE is the concern, which causes dementia.

New: 87 Deceased NFL Players Test Positive for Brain Disease

Of course they are going to find a lot of guys with CTE when they are looking for it. The problem with those studies is they brains they are testing are already predisposed to having CTE. Meaning, they are testing brains of people who already show signs of diminished mental capacity.

Larger studies are needed with larger pools of athlete brains.

 

[Davis_Mike]

I really doubt that many of the football players who claim "if they could go back" would actually switch over to baseball when finances are figured in. Football players really don't have any idea how little most baseball players make till they reach the big league ball. Especially guys who were drafted in the 14th round(424th overall). NFL practice squad players make more than most MILB players.