Football bonded them. Its violence tore them apart.
There is increasing evidence that ApoE4, which 25% of the population carries, make traumatic brain injuries riskier, and repetitive "mild" TBI especially risky because so often ignored. This article from today's Washington Post, chronicles the complicated effects of repeated concussive head injuries from football and the difficultly a former teammate with a Ph.D in neuroscience, whose injuries now cause daily headaches, finds in talking to his college football teammates about their risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
In 2010 I got to meet and talk for about half an hour with Chris Nowinski before he spoke to college students movingly, with modesty and humor about his experiences. His commitment to preventing tragedy is the mark of a Hall of Fame athlete in my book. And while he couldn't save his friend and captain, he will never know the countless athletes who will live full lives thanks to his advocacy for preventing and recognizing concussions in all sports.
The most moving article on CTE--a must-read for all moms
The most moving article on CTE--a must-read for all moms
4/4 and still an optimist!
