Earlier than Brett Favre revealed his Parkinson’s prognosis, the NFL alum defined why he thinks ‘concussion’ continues to be a unclean phrase on the earth of soccer.
Favre spoke at size about what the league is doing to guard gamers in a latest interview on the “Me, Myself & TBI: Facing Traumatic Brain Injury Head On” podcast with host Christina Brown Fisher, which was recorded previous to Favre sharing his prognosis throughout a congressional listening to on Tuesday.
Throughout the interview, Favre mentioned he had severe doubts about whether or not new analysis into how a traumatic mind harm can have an effect on an athlete’s well being will change the best way professional footballers play. He mentioned he wonders if the NFL is basically doing probably the most it could actually to guard gamers from long-term hurt.
The quarterback advised Fisher, herself a survivor of TBI, that he can be “shocked” to listen to about gamers even discussing concussions privately, not to mention the “repercussions that they may have on their life after.”
″‘Concussion’ is a nasty phrase to the NFL,” he defined, later additionally calling the subject “taboo.”
Analysis has proven intensive hyperlinks between contact sports activities like soccer and continual traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative situation which can lead to reminiscence loss, despair, nervousness, complications, stress, sleep disturbances and different neurological points.
Kevin Dietsch by way of Getty Pictures
Whereas larger understanding round CTE has prompted the NFL to introduce new guidelines and stronger security measures, like betters helmets and game-day neurologists, Favre mentioned he’s cautious of how a lot impression they’ll have when profitable is every thing.
“If you can perform, and up the ratings for the NFL, that neurologist is not going to take you out of the game,” he reasoned. “If it’s a Super Bowl and Tom Brady, or Aaron Rodgers, or Patrick Mahomes or any player with a high value gets tackled and shakes his head, you think that neurologist is going to pull that player out of the game?”
The Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer additionally mentioned with Fisher how traumatic mind accidents aren’t handled with the identical gravity as different sorts of accidents.
Remarking on how New York Jets quarterback Rodgers’ season-ending harm dominated headlines final 12 months, Favre mentioned, “Had he suffered a major concussion on that play rather than [tearing his] Achilles [tendon], I think we[’d have] had a total different dialogue after that.”
Whereas the retired Inexperienced Bay Packers star mentioned he believes the NFL “feels obligated to protect players,” he additionally mentioned that “the most important thing for the NFL is money and ratings.”
However when it comes right down to getting again on the sphere after a severe hit, Favre mentioned the choice is in the end as much as every participant.
“Players, first and foremost, have to take the initiative on what they feel is best for their body,” he mentioned, including, “You can’t necessarily hold the team 100% accountable for [your] life after.”
Favre, who was recognized for his relentless grit throughout his staggering 20 seasons within the league, additionally advised Fisher that he would have tried to be “a little less reckless” on the sphere if he knew what he is aware of now throughout his days as a professional.
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He mentioned he thinks he’s most likely endured someplace round a thousand concussions throughout his profession. “I mean, it’s kind of like asking Muhammad Ali how many jabs have you had,” he advised Fisher.
On Tuesday, Favre went public together with his Parkinson’s prognosis whereas testifying about allegations of fraud within the Mississippi welfare system in entrance of the Home Methods and Means Committee on Capitol Hill.
Favre was a prime investor within the drug producer, Prevacus, which promised to be growing a brand new remedy for concussion and obtained $2 million of Mississippi’s Non permanent Help for Needy Households, or TANF, funds.
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