OT-Malcolm Gladwell on Football-Related Brain Damage
Malcolm Gladwell, writer of Blink and Outliers (which is Michigan-related) wrote this piece for the New Yorker. It talks about the repur(con)cussions of playing the game. It's long and depressing, but really worth a look at.
Let me know what you think.
And I forgot the link. Here: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/10/19/091019fa_fact_gladwell?cu…
October 12th, 2010 at 11:02 PM ^
But not really new. About a year old. Still, really good read. ESPN did a good piece with "Player X" and Matt Birk about the life and physical pain that football players deal with, as well.
October 13th, 2010 at 11:14 AM ^
Nothing new here, but it does do a great job of compiling what we already know.
What is really scary here is that advances in training and nutritrion have made the players a lot bigger and faster than those who we are watching falll apart in their fifties. Turley is the best example of a modern player, and his case is getting worse quicker than those of the older guys.
It is going to be difficult to lower the impacts and their effects without ruining the sport. I can see the football community being more responsible about concussions, but the sub-concussions are having a far greater impact than previously shown.
Info like this makes me glad I was too small and too slow to play on a varsity level.
October 12th, 2010 at 11:08 PM ^
You know you visit this site too much when you read the title as Football-Related Brian Damage. I thought he was at it with the power tools again.
October 12th, 2010 at 11:15 PM ^
terrfiying on several levels.
October 12th, 2010 at 11:14 PM ^
Here are some random thoughts:
1. There will need to be less hitting in practice. There seems to be a cumulative effect of many "minor" hits to the head.
2. There will need to be a lot more education of coaches about recognizing the signs of concussion and keeping kids out of the game/practice when there is suspicion that a player has sustained one.
3. I have heard it said that in 20 years, when researchers know more about the long term effect of concussions, a lot of middle class families won't let their children play football. However, the game is so big that it will always exist.
4. I will continue to watch this issue. I have to admit that my conscience is slightly troubled by the thought that my love and passion for Michigan football is associated with a game where some of the kids may be sustaining long term brain damage.
October 12th, 2010 at 11:59 PM ^
This is a very frightening subject and it bears close watching. However, we don't have to worry about most of our guys because they rarely make the type and number of hits that would lead to permanent damage. I doubt if getting dragged five yards by a tailback results in brain injury.
October 13th, 2010 at 12:15 AM ^
are so insensitive. LOLZ
October 13th, 2010 at 1:48 AM ^
Helmets also need to be made softer so the impulse is transmitted over a longer period of time with a lower maximum force.
October 13th, 2010 at 12:21 AM ^
Thought this was gonna be- following-MIchigan-football-the last-three-years- related brain damage. Because as painful as it is to watch each week, I look forward to Saturday more each week.
October 13th, 2010 at 6:48 AM ^
he used Terrelle Pryor
October 13th, 2010 at 6:56 AM ^
maybe the whole team, and how that brain damage raises your chances of commiting a crime.
October 13th, 2010 at 7:43 AM ^
You sir, may have suffered a concussion.
October 13th, 2010 at 10:37 AM ^
another bandwagon Sparty stops by my desk to rub it in.
It's all cool though.
October 13th, 2010 at 11:21 AM ^
Good lord there is a lot of Michigan love in that book. Made me smile several times.