By Isaac Cox, Oct. 22, 2024
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered the third concussion in his four-year-long National Football League career against the Buffalo Bills Sept. 12, again sparking controversy in the sports community about the risk of a degenerative brain disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
Tagovailoa collided with Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin while running up the middle of the field and collided with Hamlin’s forearms as he hit the back of his head on the ground.
He became unconscious, and his hands started to seize in an immediate response known as “fencing,” a traumatic brain injury response symptomized by unnaturally flexed hands and curled fingers.
One-third of former professional football players, who played between 1960 and 2000, reported that they believe they have CTE, the recent study, published in the JAMA Neurology medical journal, revealed.
After his latest head injury, fans speculated about his retirement on social media after the Dolphins’ administration placed Tagovailoa on injury reserve, preventing him from competing for at least week eight of the season.
“I think Tua should seriously consider retirement from football,” said Ade Latinwo, a communication student at CPP. “The long-term effects of playing football are not worth the risks it presents. If the past has taught us anything, it’s that the effects of CTE are real. His brain trauma is so repetitive to the point where I think he should prioritize his health and family first and foremost.”
Despite concern from fans about his wellbeing, Tagovailoa made a statement that he has no plans to retire and will pursue second opinions from other neurologists, according to ESPN.
Tagovailoa signed a four-year contract extension during the offseason with $167.2 million guaranteed, making him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league.
If he chooses to retire, he will forgo $124 million, but if he is forced to retire for medical reasons, then he will receive the money.
“He cannot play anymore and there’s no reason for him to, even if he didn’t have the money,” said George Mangum, a sports and performance psychology graduate student from Cal Baptist University. “In Tua’s case, it affects those around him too, and my biggest concern with him is the chance of him developing dementia.”
Mangum teaches seminars on defeating dementia, a disease that is a possible side effect on the brain once trauma or collision occurs, in addition to dizziness, headaches, vomiting and other symptoms.
According to Mayo Clinic website repeated trauma to the head can also result in CTE, the death of nerve cells in the brain also known as degeneration. CTE is often found in athletes who participate in contact sports such as football or hockey.
Former linebacker Junior Seau played 20 seasons in the NFL before reportedly shooting himself in the chest in 2012, according to Los Angeles Times. Researchers from the National Institutions of Health confirmed that Seau had suffered from CTE.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas was diagnosed with stage two of CTE after he passed away from a seizure in 2021 at the age of 33.
His family members said they noticed Thomas isolated himself and, in the years before he died, he developed depression, trouble with his memory and experienced anxiety attacks.
The only way to diagnose the disease is during an autopsy of the brain. Therefore, there is limited research on the effects of CTE and education on prevention.
CPP kinesiology student Victor Flores, a head coach for a JV football team, advocates to his players that football is a part of life, not life itself.
“It’s important because there’s so many potential injuries that can go wrong with trauma to the head,” Flores said. “I always teach my players, if you’re going to tackle, you tackle with your shoulder. It’s way safer and avoids the concussions, and the less concussions you have, the lower your chances are of developing CTE.”
Victims who’ve been exposed to CTE can be at risk of memory loss, aggression, impulsive behavior and suicidal thoughts, among other symptoms.
The surveyed former professional athletes who believed they had CTE experienced other related symptoms, such as depression and cognitive difficulties, the JAMA Neurology medical study revealed.
The NFL concussion protocol was amended in September 2022, after Tagovailoa was allowed to re-enter the game after what looked like a head injury. A few days later, he hit his head again and was officially diagnosed with a concussion.
The current protocol requires an athletic trainer or team doctor to examine the player for any “no-go symptoms” such as loss of consciousness, fencing response, confusion, impact seizure, gross motor instability and amnesia.
If any symptoms are present, the player is not allowed to return to the field and will undergo a neurological exam and an evaluation by the medical team. The return timeline can vary depending on the player as their concussion history and injury severity is taken into account.
Featured image courtesy of Miami Dolphins