A Former Athlete Reflects on His Role in Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

....Imagine for a minute an athlete making every attempt to make it appear to the crowd that he was not in the least fazed after just being run-over like common road kill. He painstakingly picks himself up from the ground only to be met with ear-popping laughter, which is gleefully displayed by individuals described as fans and spectators, they endure the wrath of their coaches, their teammates and their “supporters” all while having to wonder if they will be able to make the next play.....

....I can only wonder if I caused anyone to have received a debilitating injury such as CTE. The violent nature of our sport (football) is certainly ripe to cause such injuries.

Being “that guy” is no longer “glamorous,” and to be honest, I am saddened by the permanent damage I may have caused to someone all in the interest of self-gratification and seeking that “Alpha-Male” status. It was once extremely important to me to be “THAT GUY.”...