NFL News: NFL Executive Admits That Football Head Trauma Is Linked To CTE
In an apparent concession after years of denial, NFL has finally confirmed Monday of the link between football-related head trauma and chronic encephalopathy or CTE.
Establishing a connection between extremely dangerous contact sports like football and the neurodegenerative disease came about after a roundtable discussion on concussions was convened by Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill who heads U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Citing the work of Boston University neuropathologist Dr. Ann McKee, Jeff Miller, the NFL's senior vice president for health and safety, answered a clear 'yes' after asked by Rep. Schakowsky if such a link exists.
"Well, certainly, Dr. McKee's research shows that a number of retired NFL players were diagnosed with CTE, so the answer to that question is certainly 'yes,' but there are also a number of questions that come with that," remarked Miller as quoted by ABC News.
Miller's admission was a major change in NFL's persistent efforts to out rightly deny medical research facts and avoid taking a stand. Not too long ago, NFL neurosurgeon Dr. Mitch Berger asserted the absence of any solid evidence that links football and CTE.
"The NFL is peddling a false sense of security. Football is a high-risk sport because of the routine hits, not just diagnosable concussions. What the American public need now is honesty about the health risks and clearly more research," said Rep. Schakowsky as quoted by ESPN.
NFL critics lauded Miller's game-changing admission in an effort to make the league accountable to deaths involving CTE.
Meanwhile, NFL proposed a $1 billion plan to settle concussion claims which would exclude future cases of CTE. The league has been fending off waves of lawsuits covering more than 20, 000 NFL retirees.
"Given that, the settlement's failure to compensate present and future CTE is inexcusable," lawyer Steven Molo said who represents the players as reported by Denver Post.
