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Concussions. One of the more common injuries in the National Football League. That would make them much too common. With the hits continuing to get harder, it sure isn't making the game any easier on the head. Unlike an arm or a leg, the brain doesn't just heal. Every time an NFL player gets a concussion, it can cause permanent brain damage, and the more concussions a player suffers, the higher the risk of permanent life-altering brain damage.
Former New England Patriots player Ted Johnson has put this problem into the spotlight. Since the end of his playing career, Johnson has had many problems. During his playing career, Ted Johnson was known as one of the true tough linebacker who lacked great speed but always played hard for the love of the game and was a fan favorite in New England. Even after retiring in 2005 due to the six-plus concussions he sustained over the course of his career in Foxboro, he became an analyst for WBZ and was well-received by the fans. That's why it was surprising when in July 2006, Ted Johnson got into an argument with his wife supposedly over amphetamines and was arrested, which was followed shortly by his resignation from WBZ. It seemed that this was unlike Johnson's behavior, and although no charges were filed and it was a mutual case of assault, Johnson's reputation was hurt. It also raised a major question. What was Ted Johnson on amphetamines for?
Now we can understand. Johnson's concussions have caused permanent damage to Johnson's brain. Ted Johnson now has trouble remembering people's names, misses appointments, suffers memory loss, goes through depression, and is addicted to amphetamines. These post-concussions problems were likely what caused him to start using amphetamines and why his relationship with his wife turned sour. That is likely why Ted Johnson was forced to leave WBZ (as well as his arrest). Making it even worse, Johnson's neurologist, Dr. Robert Cantu, believe Johnson will suffer from severe Alzheimer's by the time Johnson is in his mid 50s. These brain symptoms will not get better, they will only get worse.
One name Johnson didn't forget was Bill Belichick, as he is blaming Bill for his brain problems, because he was pushed to practice the week following he suffered a concussion, and suffered one that day in practice. What needs to be understood is that as a responsible adult, Johnson should have listened to medical advice and told Belichick he could not practice. However, the Patriots were in the playoff hunt, and Johnson being one of the toughest players out there, I'm sure more than anything he wanted to get back to practice. And not to accuse Ted, but with his brain problems, there is a good chance he could be getting the story wrong. And strangely enough, just in December, the Boston Herald reported that Ted Johnson would have returned to play for the Patriots if called by Belichick, following Junior Seau's season-ending arm injury.
A name that comes to mind for all of us is Andre Waters. In November, Andre Waters committed suicide, believed to be due to concussions. We have to hope that Johnson and other players who suffer concussions will not take the same route, but that is a big reason why the NFL needs to get the concussion issue under control as soon as they possibly can.
With all this news regarding Ted Johnson, it makes us worry for guys like Dan Morgan and Troy Polamalu. Morgan's future is uncertain, and in terms of his health for the rest of his life, he is best off just retiring now before taking any more hits to his brain. It seems to be an annual occurrence that Morgan ends up with a concussion and who knows how much damage has already been done. Troy Polamalu has also suffered at least six over his lifetime, and if he continues to suffer concussions, he could end up with some permanent brain damage as well.
While Ted Johnson is bringing it out to the public, he is not the only one and he won't be the only one. Football is important, but the health of each and every one of the players in the National Football League is more important than the games themselves. So while Roger Goodell and Gene Upshaw are saying how things will be done, starting tommorrow, with the season over, this needs to be one of the issues in the forefront of the National Football League so that future players do not have to suffer what Ted Johnson is suffering right now. |
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