monk222: (Noir Detective)
monk222 ([personal profile] monk222) wrote2009-01-28 09:31 pm
Entry tags:

Dumb Jocks?

Playing football causes brain damage

Here's news to fuel the anti-jock stereotypes. Looking at the donated brains of former football players, researchers are surprised by how severe and deep is the brain damage they have found:

CTE [chronic traumatic encephalopathy] has thus far been found in the brains of six out of six former NFL players.

"What's been surprising is that it's so extensive," said McKee. "It's throughout the brain, not just on the superficial aspects of the brain, but it's deep inside."

CSTE studies reveal brown tangles flecked throughout the brain tissue of former NFL players who died young -- some as early as their 30s or 40s.

McKee, who also studies Alzheimer's disease, says the tangles closely resemble what might be found in the brain of an 80-year-old with dementia.

"I knew what traumatic brain disease looked like in the very end stages, in the most severe cases," said McKee. "To see the kind of changes we're seeing in 45-year-olds is basically unheard of."

The damage affects the parts of the brain that control emotion, rage, hypersexuality, even breathing, and recent studies find that CTE is a progressive disease that eventually kills brain cells.
Maybe it's a good thing I wasn't athletic enough for varsity and college football. Then again, maybe it would've been worth it, if it meant sacking all the babes.

Football and brain damage

[identity profile] poovanna.livejournal.com 2009-01-29 08:32 am (UTC)(link)
The poor things may not have any idea of what they were getting into.

Are we paying our star footballers enough, to justify this kind of damage?

I. Think. Not!

Re: Football and brain damage

[identity profile] hardblue.livejournal.com 2009-01-29 02:34 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't know, they do make a lot of money. And talk about the sexual opportunities! But it does make one think that maybe such violent sports may be heading to the list of the extinct, albeit much later in the future since it is such an American passion.

Re: Football and brain damage

[identity profile] poovanna.livejournal.com 2009-01-29 03:18 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't know, they do make a lot of money.
I was being sarcastic, dude. :-)

And talk about the sexual opportunities!
Hmm... I think everyone is having it easier these days. Going by the trends, all it takes to get some action is to look soulful and speak in mono-syllables.

I shit you not, you could be distracted thinking about car insurance or whatever, in the middle of a party. And someone will notice that you are silent and will be intrigued. It is like some weird condition college kids have these days. Bah! I cannot understand them.

Re: Football and brain damage

[identity profile] hardblue.livejournal.com 2009-01-30 01:43 am (UTC)(link)
all it takes to get some action is to look soulful and speak in mono-syllables.

I think you at least have to be cute to make that work for you. If anything could be said about me, it is that I'm very soulful, but I could go ahead and take that to church as far as anyone cared.

Re: Football and brain damage

[identity profile] poovanna.livejournal.com 2009-01-30 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
Aw man, you are selling yourself short.
You are a cool guy - you have a genuine interest in philosophy. (which is something the ladies like.) That is nothing to sneeze at.

While there are some awesome women out there, most are not worthwhile. Read CliffsNotes on Sartre or whatever and talk to them, and they will still be impressed. A fellow like you does not need validation from those chicks.

You are a great catch for the ladies and do not need to do anything more. But consider investing in black lipstick and emo eyeliner, just to be safe (heh). These are weird times we live in.