The NFL has recently been under scrutiny as more and more Americans are receiving increased scientific information regarding brain trauma and its connection with the game of football. Before recent medical breakthroughs, all brain studies dealing with the high-impact sports would have to come post-mortem. However, doctors now are able to study the human brain before death occurs, which has elevated the amount of information revolving around how certain sports (boxing, hockey, the NFL, rugby) influence the lives of athletes well after they stop competing professionally.
Recently, Sony Pictures released the movie “Concussion” which dramatizes the astounding medical breakthroughs by Dr. Omalu and his research into CTE and national football players. While more information becomes available everyday, there are some titans of the game that have already fallen victim to the traumas of CTE, which include certain Hall of Famers: Junior Seau, Mike Webster, Andre Waters, Dave Duerson, and Bernie Kosar.
Junior Seau
Junior Seau needs no introduction to the average football fan. Seau starred at the University of Southern California before being drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the 5th Overall in the 1990 NFL Draft. Seau’s storied career lasted 20 magnificent seasons, making the Prow Bowl 12 times and being named All Pro 10 times. After such a triumphant career on the gridiron, Seau, suffering from CTE tragically took his own life by shooting himself in the chest In 2012. Seau was posthumously inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2015.
Mike Webster
Many consider iron Mike Webster the poster boy of football players and CTE; in fact, the Hollywood hit movie Concussion was based on Webster’s life. Webster was drafted in the 5th round of the 1974 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Known as an ironman of the sport, Webster’s career spanned 16 seasons of which he was named to the Pro-Bowl and All-Pro team 9 times. The 4 time Super Bowl champion was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1997 before dying at the age of 50 in 2002.
Andre Waters
Andre Waters was best known throughout the NFL for being one of the hardest hitting safeties over his 12-season tenure in the League. Waters went undrafted in 1984, but signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. After his great career he tragically committed suicide in 2006 at the young age of 44.
Dave Duerson
Dave Duerson was another hard hitting safety who received great acclaim over his time spent in the NFL. Duerson was drafted in the 3rd Round of the 1983 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. Duerson played a total of 11 seasons in the league, being named to the Pro-Bowl squad four times and winning the Super Bowl twice. Duerson also tragically committed suicide in 2011 at the age of fifty by shooting himself in the chest.
Bernie Kosar
Bernie Kosar is the sole quarterback on this list of NFL players who suffered from CTE. Kosar was drafted in the 1st Round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. Over his 12 seasons in the league, Kosar made one Pro-Bowl and was a Super Bowl champion once as well. While Kosar is the only man on this list who is still alive today, since his retirement he has been at the forefront of CTE research in an effort to help prevent other players from having to suffer from CTE.
This list is far from exhaustive, but shows how even titans of game are prone to serious brain injuries. It does not matter if you play offensive line, run routes across the middle, or are a franchise quarterback, all players are susceptible to brain trauma when playing the game of football. The popularity of the game will inhibit its shutdown, though we are witnessing a dramatic drop in participation at the junior and high school levels. While different companies will spend millions of dollars to create better and safer equipment, this violent game will always have the possibility for players to lose everything on the next big hit.
-Kevin Lipton, ESQ
Managing Partner – Lipton Legal Group, A PC – Beverly Hills, CA