Powerful. Following the US. A topic I have passionately researched in the last 6 months, given a pretty cheeky bike accident, head first impact... and a history similar to Hartson. Quote: "Heading was a massive part of my game. Managers bought me because I could head the ball." Except I was never bought 🤣
Forget common sense, the evidence is mounting....
Well said, it's about time, Football Players wore Protective Headgear. I don't actually watch, much football, but I did see one game last year- my neighbour couldn't receive it, on his set.
At one point two men 'Jumped' for, the same ball....and collided. As a result one man was Stretchered Off, clearly Very badly hurt. I was SO relieved, to see, this man 'Playing' again at the next Match (my neighbour again..) Was I, the only person, to offer a Prayer for that man?
YES 'Bring On', more Protection.
AndrewT
Well done the SFA doctor. His common sense remarks of acting now without waiting for official proof will hopefully save suffering in both the short and long terms. Pity the English FA isn't getting the message.
We all know that brain trauma can result from any activity but, when I think of heading, boxing and certain other sports, I wonder why the dangers weren't addressed decades ago...
MONEY...it is that simple. We are a commodity until finished. Next one in on the conveyor belt. The players nowadays are paid well in most cases. If they lose their place ...oh well i am still on good money. I/we often did not mention it as we could lose our place and money. Also the hard man attitude, had to be big and strong. Any sign of weakness and bye bye.
If you get the chance what the Netflix programme about Hernandez and his behaviour. They cut his brain and his brain at 27 years old was in a horrendous state. His begaviour, was described as having nothing to do with his brain injuries by the NFL.
A little fish in a huge fish bowl!
I just watched the Aaron Hernandez story on Monday and it was a horrendous example of chronic brain injury mistaken for psychopathy. It was riveting to watch but so, so sad. Tragic for him, his victims and all the families. What a waste of lives, and all as a result of 'sport'.
Concussion not a bad film either, all about Dr Omalu. Any more, let me know please.
Hadn't heard of that. I'll take a look.... x
Really sad.
The human appetite for violence has a lot to answer for . It plays a big part in certain forms of sport where winning at any price is key.
We know all too well how spectator's behaviour can descend into something ugly when their team/contestant loses, even turning on one another to the point of serious injury.
The whole atmosphere of football/American football/ boxing (as prime examples) is aggressive, when other sports such as athletics, tennis and cricket seems to be more about appreciation of skill ………..and of the winner's achievement.
It is common sense - gosh I remember heading the ball in heading drills in the 70's - balls back then were like cannonballs and when they got wet....! I don't know whether it contributed to things that have happened subsequently 🤔
Due to concussions as a young child and in my teens, then playing football with leather balls a step forward from the 50's, 60's and 70's but still bad when wet, will have contributed to trauma of my brain.
Balls smashed at the face, etc will cause damage. Elbows, heads coming together. Just so much.
It may be seen as a pampering nation but maybe during training they wear head protectors. Head trauma happens more in training than in games. I would have seperate hours of heading practice a week as a centre half from all scenarios. This is the position most likely to get more damage than most in my opinion. Long & short, high balls to my head continously. It makes me shudder as a young boy and young man just how much heading I did and injuries that were inflictec
My significant damage to my brain was 2012 but the 40 years before that contributed to the impact of at least 3 full swings of a baseball bat around the head as an estimate.
I am on for early dementia or similar. I am 47 years old now.
Something must be done!!!
Some very similar stories here. I used to head a ball about 500 times a session, twice a week, for around 13 years. That was just training. I conservatively estimated 1 knockout concussion a year, in an era of naiivity and win at all costs, where reputations for 'playing on' were rewarded. I habe some horrific episodes of no recollection of the game, and/or vomiting all the way home.
Crazy when you you see a lot of the research know - mainly from US. I would not have earned a penny in my 20s had it not been for my ability to head a ball, however my point is I am actually quite lucky, because I learnt the technique quite late on - roughly 16/17 When I shot up a foot and moved to England, where the game is more heading based. I cannot for one second see how parents, coaches, researchers etc believe we are designed like woodpeckers and have the capabilities of such repetitive force and impact, especially as we are younger. The technique, if needed, can be learned later in life. The technique, if needed at a young age, can be learned with headgear perhaps, but I vote more towards sponge balls or something virtual even.
This is not an attack on the beautiful game. Nor a sport v sport agenda, as they all have their issues in my opinion. Nor even a request to change the rules in any way (yet) bar substitutions, but many people really struggle with the concept of change. Think seat belts, Bike helmets, no tackling in American Football in training. No way!!!!! Once upon a time.
The industry is perhaps scared of a change to the game. In all fairness to the FA and the PFA, for all their criticism around the topics, I think they part funded Stewart's research and seem at loggerheads with FIFA. But so much more can be done. People take it as an insult of what has always been done. I'm sorry, but that is fixed mindset and preferred ignorance. And a serious lack of creativity or care.
I also don't understand why we would take complete and utter risks over something just because there is supposedly no direct evidence of heading. Whaaaat? Surely it shoykd be the other way round - we should look to protect, until we can prove no harm is done. We aren't middle ages.
I'm not a negative person, I desire looking for positive solutions.. Nor am I in any way a namby pamby. My sport is my life, as witnessed by my post bike accident "Back on the Bike" . This is about creating awareness around evolving as we gain greater knowledge, in order to protect future generations.
🙏
Proactive approach of increased education and awareness may be more effective than a ban where adults will balk at being told what not to do. Body anatomy and physiology curriculum in schools from the age of 8 years. Been saying that for the last 20 years. Mindfulness lessons in schools could go hand in hand with scientific understanding (and self exploration) of our anatomy, why our bodies work the way they do.
"Following the successful launch of the Neuroshield brand in Canada, the protective device has been showing up quietly amongst the ranks of professional athletes."
More at this link
bkrdsn.com/portfolio/neuros...
"...sloshing" of the brain inside the skull caused by a blow to the head that leads to damage to the delicate microstructures of the brain, including nerve fibres, as well as concussions."
More at this link
theglobeandmail.com/sports/...
" Unlike the human brain–which is more like an eggshell with an egg yolk on the inside–the woodpecker brain cannot slosh around"
forbes.com/sites/nicolefish...
Completely unrelated but fascinating to me is this research I just found that indicates a yawn and stretch may reduce human brain temperature.
WOW. The body is amazing, isn't it? Yoga anyone?
europepmc.org/article/PMC/2...
The way to resolve is for researchers to keep on churning out findings until we have enough insights based upon evidential studies to inform a healthy future for sports activities.
We wouldn't want kids to sit at computer screens all day and not play sport because 'they might get hurt'. That would be a travesty.
Humans adapt. They survive. Stem cell therapy is going in amazing directions at the moment, who is to say a 'vaccination' of stem cells after a game to heal injuries doesn't become the norm in the future?
Great topic Warm Beetroot. Best wishes.
Fantastic reply, thank you kindly....! Look forward to browsing the links too. So much fascinating information out there, it all needs spreading.
Ps. I teach yoga 😂 I swear by its benefits for my recovery
Head trauma over 39 years
Alcohol
First time
Persistent head aches 
Why i dont remember anything about my car accident 14 years ago when im 8. I got head injury in the accident and another one when im 15
