Researchers find tau protein in living NFL players

[titanrick]

[Rumless]

From what I've read, this really isn't a surprise. CTE has been noted post-mortem, yet of the articles I've read, I haven't come across CTE scans among living players. Tau protein doesn't just happen overnight, it's a gradual build-up.

With this coming out, what's the NFL going to do to react to it? That's my biggest question. They're already studying technology to prevent or lessen head injuries, will they feel the need to be extremely reactive and perhaps issue a policy league-wide, or continue to work diligently?
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[The Cryptkeeper]

This much I can guarantee....you'll never see them utilize this testing for rookies entering the NFL. The repercussions would be too great as people realize how young players are developing it. The game's already in a more precarious position at the school level than people realize because of the liability/insurance costs rising. I base my stance off of how the NFL's reacted to damaging results before, but if they pull a 180, I'll be glad to give them due credit for it.

The best thing the NFL to protect themselves legally is to perform the test on all incoming players, be straight up about the results, and then have the players that choose to continue to play after acknowledging the risk and signing a waiver. The only problem? Doing so would gut the talent base at the school level.

This test is a game-changer.

[Superman(DH23)]

[theJ]

[iPwn]

[Superman(DH23)]

[boondock]

[theJ]

The other thing to consider here, money aside, is who is going to lobby for this test?

The players won't want it because they don't want to be told they can't play. Ownership won't want it because of the potential to really hamper the growth of the league. It's going to take some major outside pressure to get either side to move. (this is sort of what Cryptkeeper said)
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“Never let your persistence and passion turn into stubbornness and ignorance.”
~ Anthony J. D'Angelo

Why do fans care about fines? It's not their money, and it goes to charity.

[iPwn]

You don't have to tell the players they can no longer play when they reach a certain point. You, instead, make sure they're fully informed about what is known about their current state, future problems they may have, and what further injury may lead to. And you let them choose whether or not to continue their career. The NFL need not lead a crusade to make sure no one is ever injured beyond a certain point, just that they continue to lead the way in protection through rule changes (to whatever extent you believe the rules need to be changed), equipment upgrades, and by making sure players are always aware of where they stand.



And anyway, concussions aren't the only way this builds up. sub-concussive hits cause the same issues in the brain, so a simple post-concussion test isn't going to change things. It may just make a player less likely to report a concussion, if he thinks it may possibly signal the end of his career.

Instead, I would make it a part of the yearly (or even just do this every 2 or 3 years) physical. Have the physician sit down and discuss with the player where they stand and let them make an informed decision whether they want to continue or hang them up.
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[sp6488]

[OneBadCat]

The game is going to have to change eventually. Either that or some sort of advanced helmet will have to be made.


The problem though isn't so much the equipment. Pads and helmets have improved a lot. The problem is that since the players are protected they have no fear of going full blast, going for the knock out hit.

[Blink]

This could definitely change things.

That being said the NFL isn't going anywhere. Its a multibillion dollar industry, which greatly effects other multibillion dollar industries(food, beer, tv, retail, etc) it has too great of an impact on our community.

People die every day in mines and on oil rigs, we aren't going to ban those anytime soon. Eventually people will have to just sign something saying they fully know the risks and won't sue if anything happens. I guarantee you most players will not turn down millions of dollars. Just my opinion.

[titanrick]

What happens if the results from a combine "baseline" test already show a build-up of tau in the brain? It's a sad reality, but they've found CTE in college and (I'm pretty sure) high school players before, post-mordem. So you may go in to determine a baseline level and find out that you're already past the point of playing safely in the NFL.
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[Superman(DH23)]