HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) - A new study shows that 1 in 4 NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, known as CTE.
CTE is a condition in which brain material deteriorates.
Dr. John Greco, a recently retired orthopedic surgeon who has worked with several local sports programs, said CTE is often seen in boxers, football players and other athletes who sustain trauma to the head.
“We start getting symptoms of abnormal behavior. We see loss of memory. And it’s a degradation type of scenario where brain function just decreases more and more. Never really realizing how it came about. But now looking back, we realize that it’s due to repetitive trauma,” Greco said.
Greco said changes have been made in sports to increase safety, including the addition of guardian caps in football, but said those changes do not fix everything.
“I think that they are helpful. I mean, it’s... I mean, they look funny, but they’re helpful. And I think that anything that can lessen the trauma to an athlete is worthwhile. I don’t know of the true studies that have proven that they are beneficial, but it just stands to reason that they’re probably beneficial to a certain extent,” Greco said.
West Morgan football coach Drew Phillips said there is a risk when it comes to playing any sport, but he believes football keeps getting safer.
“I think it’s getting better because of the helmets, you know, that are being provided and made. And the protocols that are in place in order to hope ensure safety for every player,” Phillips said.
Greco said he believes head injuries like CTE will continue to decrease in the coming years.
“The rules were different back then. And our knowledge of head trauma was so much different back then. So it stands to reason, and I certainly hope, that our incidence of significant brain trauma decreases down the line, including, you know, CTE or the resultant of a trauma,” Greco said.
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