OT - NY Jets Legend Mark Gastineau suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson's
Not much more to say here, other than sadness for a player I grew up idolizing.
CTE cannot be diagnosed until death, but with this list of problems - I can't imagine CTE not being present.
Techniques being what they were during his time in the NFL, and the lack of awareness of the consequences - led to this sad state of affairs:
"I know that there’s techniques out there that if I would have had ‘em, if I would have had the techniques out there that I’m teaching now to these kids, I know I would not be probably...I know I wouldn’t have the results that I have now,” he said. “I led with my head all the time,” Gastineau added.
I don't have much more to say - other than I have 3 boys: aged 11->18 months. And even as a former College FB player - I am not sure whether I want them to follow in my footsteps.
#DebbieDowner
January 20th, 2017 at 1:13 PM ^
I am not a doctor nor do I study the science of head trauma or impact, but I always question if the helmet helps or hurts the long term outcomes...
Is it used more as a weapon / make players more likely to hit with their head?
Just curious if there is any research out there on getting rid of the helmet altogether. The players might get more cautious just out of self preservation on the field?
January 20th, 2017 at 2:08 PM ^
I would be curious how rugby is faring in terms of CTE long term. Is it an issue there too - very similar violent collissions but they don't have a weapon on their head.
January 20th, 2017 at 7:56 PM ^
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January 20th, 2017 at 1:16 PM ^
1. i know guys that know him, and he lived a hard life. partying and boxing and also football are a bad combo under any set of circs.
2. steroids and growth hormone make it worse
3. played until i was 41 and now, nearly 15 yrs later all systems are fine (thankfully). my brother played B10 ball and he's older than gastineau, he's fine too.
January 20th, 2017 at 3:19 PM ^
January 20th, 2017 at 1:34 PM ^
Loved those guys. I was a guest at a Jets game compliments of Jim Herrmann and got to go to a Jets VIP party. Mark was there, along with other Jets legends like Emerson Boozer. Mark could not have been nicer and more down to Earth joking about his on field antics. He definitely played hard and partied hard.
I pray for the best for him and his family.
January 20th, 2017 at 1:48 PM ^
January 20th, 2017 at 5:22 PM ^
F=MA and those little bodies have very little of any of the three. Keep in mind that their helmets are(these days) just about the same padding level as NFLers wear. The shoulder pads are also big for them & heavy(relative to body size/strength) same for the pants/girdle. It's closer to adults wearing those sumo costumes than you may think.
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January 21st, 2017 at 10:45 AM ^
January 20th, 2017 at 3:08 PM ^
I was too tiny to play football in high school. I am 50 years old and am healthy with no serious physical issues. That all said if I would give it all up for the opportunity to be part of the Michigan football team. The only item that perhaps would give me pause is the potential for long term mental issues. But if I needed help getting out of bed when I was 50 while I recalled the memories of glory I would absolutey go for it. Of course the grass is always greener where the dogs are pooping. I have never experienced the real pain of playing football. I have had accute injuries. I have had back spasms, muscle sprains, and a few times my shoulder locked down. But nothing that did not resolve in two weeks. But since I am on the other side, that is what I yearn for. I still dream of being a Michigan Football Star.
January 21st, 2017 at 12:56 AM ^
As you say, the grass is always greener. We probably all dream of being a star of some sort or another. I'm older than you and also never been a star, but if I had a choice between good health and stardom, I would take health hands down, but that's because I have some health issues and have suffered for the past 40 years from a knee injury. After surgery to repair my knee, I asked the doctor what kinds of activities I could do and was told I should never run or jump. For me, the greener grass is good health.
January 21st, 2017 at 12:56 AM ^
As you say, the grass is always greener. We probably all dream of being a star of some sort or another. I'm older than you and also never been a star, but if I had a choice between good health and stardom, I would take health hands down, but that's because I have some health issues and have suffered for the past 40 years from a knee injury. After surgery to repair my knee, I asked the doctor what kinds of activities I could do and was told I should never run or jump. For me, the greener grass is good health.
January 21st, 2017 at 8:35 AM ^
about one of the greatest I've ever seen. Even sadder is that many of his era played the game in the same, reckless manner and the number of casualties will probably only continue to rise.
January 21st, 2017 at 12:32 AM ^
.... my 14-yo freshman is 6' 2", 245 lbs and we are not letting him play HS football. He played 8th grade ball and loved it. That's it.
Problem is damn near everyone in town thinks he should be playing. The cajoling doesn't stop.
January 21st, 2017 at 10:49 AM ^
January 21st, 2017 at 12:41 PM ^
The boy suffered a scrotal torsion this past spring. That made a football ban easier to sell.
Realisitically the kid could not ever be a D1 prospect anyway. He inherited his dad's lack of upper body strength. He squatted 255 this morning but missed reps in his 110 lb dumbbell bench. And he has major flexibility issues in his hips. Pad. Level.
January 21st, 2017 at 5:43 AM ^
January 21st, 2017 at 11:48 AM ^