Chris Henry played with brain damage

[Anima]

The former Cincinnati Bengals receiver has been identified as the first NFL player to have died with trauma-induced brain damage while still active in the National Football League, according to a New York Times report.

Today, a report from the Brain Injury Research Institute at West Virginia University is expected to announce that Henry had already developed chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease. The discovery of CTE in some retired NFL players has fueled debate about the dangers of playing football.

Henry was 26 when he died and is the youngest NFL example of CTE, according to the Times. The previous youngest was lineman Justin Strzelczyk, 36, who had been retired from the Pittsburgh Steelers for five years before his death in 2004.

Sean Morey, a special-teams player for Seattle who's co-chair of the players association's brain-injury committee, told the Times: "It's very emotional to hear — it rattles me . . . The fact that this has been found (in an active player) I think it's sobering. You have to ask yourself how many are playing the game today that have this and don't even know about it."

CTE evidence can be detected only by examing brain tissue after death. There's no way to test for it in a living player, according to the Times.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2010/06/chris-henry-bengals-brain-damage/1

 

[maxiep]

The NFL has to change their equipment. It simply cannot stand up to the strength and speed of the modern player. If it inhibits movement or weighs more, make it mandatory for all players to even the playing field.

 

[speeds]

Having played football for about eight years I can tell you unequivocally that players play through concussions, neck injuries, and the like. It is absolutely the case that guys at the NCAA and pro level do as well. In fact it is encouraged as part of the macho tradition of the sport.

 

[boatsandstars]

The NFL has to change their equipment. It simply cannot stand up to the strength and speed of the modern player. If it inhibits movement or weighs more, make it mandatory for all players to even the playing field.

socialist.

 

[Rodolfo]

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[BlazersBlood]

The NFL has to change their equipment. It simply cannot stand up to the strength and speed of the modern player. If it inhibits movement or weighs more, make it mandatory for all players to even the playing field.

It's the equipment that is causing players to play recklessly. They think that since they have a helmet and pads that they can use it as a weapon. I guarantee if there weren't helmets and shoulder pads that there wouldn't be nearly as many head injuries. They'd never get rid of the pads because we wouldn't want it to become rugby.

Sadly, I'm sure all NFL players have some kind of brain damage. That's one reason why I side with the players when it comes to guaranteed money. Their shelf life is usually limited. Not only career wise, but their lifespan as well.

 

[maxiep]

socialist.

Nah, it's the ultimate meritocracy. An even playing field, without spreading the wealth around.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Am I way off in thinking that Chris Henry probably had just as many hits in pee-wee league and high school than in college and pros? I get the equipment thing, but let's not stop it at the NCAA level

 

[BlazersBlood]

Am I way off in thinking that Chris Henry probably had just as many hits in pee-wee league and high school than in college and pros? I get the equipment thing, but let's not stop it at the NCAA level

There's no doubt. I started playing padded football in 5th grade. I know I had at least 1 concussion back then. It's not just the helmet to helmet contact, but banging your head on the ground really makes your head ring.