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Sobering Numbers In CTE Study Has Observers Wondering If This Is A "Tipping Point"

The recent study showing CTE was found in the brains of 110 of 111 examined deceased former NFLers depict "grim numbers that people have to really take seriously," according to ESPN's Michael Wilbon ("PTI," ESPN, 7/25). USA TODAY'S Nancy Armour in a front-page piece writes the study's numbers are "staggering enough that they ought to finally bring an end to the double talk and denials by the NFL, NHL, FIFA and other professional sports organizations about the role their sports play in the deaths of those who played it" (USA TODAY, 7/26). SPORTING NEWS' David Steele wrote the results "might be the last straw," and "if they're not, they definitely should be the tipping point." Steele: "This is beyond the NFL now. ... This puts the entire sport of football on the clock" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 7/26). A N.Y. DAILY NEWS editorial states that the evidence of a connection between football and CTE is "now overwhelming." The editorial: "We can’t unlearn this, not even with preseason enthusiasm bubbling. A lifetime of playing football correlates strongly with lasting harm to the human brain. Barring major changes to the game, it’ll be hard to ever cheer the same way again" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/26). ESPN's Mina Kimes said the study is “undeniably comprehensive and it sheds light on the fact that the NFL needs to continue investing in CTE." Kimes: "Not just investing money anymore, but investing money in independent research like this, because we still have a lot to learn” (“Around The Horn,” ESPN, 7/25).

MORE QUESTIONS STILL LINGER: In Philadelphia, Mike Sielski wrote the numbers in the study are "eye-popping, if incomplete" (PHILLY.com, 7/25). Boston Univ. CTE Center Dir Dr. Ann McKee admitted that it is "unclear" whether "lifestyle habits -- alcohol, drugs, steroids, diet -- impacted the results" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 7/26). YAHOO SPORTS' Eric Adelson wrote under the header, "Why The Latest Round Of Daunting CTE Reports Should Come With An Asterisk." Adelson: "This latest study, while important, doesn’t move us a lot farther in what we know about the effects of football on later-life clinical symptoms." For "every major news story you see on CTE, there are several studies that aren’t as widely circulated." Adelson: "Headlines travel fast. Science takes time" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 7/25). The GLOBE & MAIL's Andre Picard asks, "What do we do with this information?" This science is "in its infancy." Picard: "We still have no idea how many football players over all suffer from CTE -- though it is probably a small minority" (GLOBE & MAIL, 7/26). Regardless, the WALL STREET JOURNAL's Laine Higgins writes the study reinforces the "dramatic toll" football can "take on its participants" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 7/26). 

WHAT NOW? In Houston, Jenny Dial Creech writes the research is "another step in the right direction." Football "isn't going anywhere, but the more people know about this disease, the more every league -- from the NFL down to PeeWee -- can try to find ways to make the sport safer" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 7/26). ESPN's Jemele Hill said, "Fast forward 10 or 15 years from now. With things like this study basically warning us of what will happen to many of these kids and adults who go on to play football, I wonder if that pipeline (of future players) will ever exist” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 7/25). On Long Island, Lane Filler writes under the header, "Can Football Fans Still Enjoy The Game After CTE Study?" (NEWSDAY, 7/26). But in N.Y., Steve Serby writes under the header, "Shocking CTE Report Won’t Keep Diehards From Playing Football" (N.Y. POST, 7/26). FS1’s Greg Jennings said, “Even with seeing these numbers, yes, I would still play. I don't think it's going to stop guys from playing football. It might stop the parents from putting their kids in football” (“Undisputed,” FS1, 7/26). ESPN's Michael Smith: "I don't know if this is something that is going to scare players straight. Right now, they’re less concerned about finding a different line of work or avoiding this line of work or playing a different sport than they are about getting more money for playing this sport. The conversation right now is, ‘How do we get more guaranteed contracts?’ not, ‘Should we be doing this?’" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 7/25). In Chicago, Rick Telander writes under the header, "Wealth, Fame, Success -- And CTE" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 7/26).

FORMER PLAYERS NOT IMPRESSED: Former NFLer Harry Carson said the study is "not really an eye-opener." Carson: "If you’ve played football and if you’ve gotten hit and knocked around, you probably have sustained some kind of trauma to the brain" (NEWSDAY, 7/26). Former NFLer Danny Kanell: "No new information in latest CTE report. But perfect time to release it for maximum clicks/reaction in slow football news cycle" (TWITTER.com, 7/25).

FOR THE GOOD OF THE GAME
: Patriots WR Andrew Hawkins retired yesterday and also announced he would "donate his brain to the Concussion Legacy Foundation" for CTE research. Hawkins: "I owe it to football to help make it better" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/26). 

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