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01-16-2013, 10:54 AM | |
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Thomas Jones to donate brain for study after death
Thomas Jones fears developing CTE
Updated: January 16, 2013, 10:00 AM ET By Jane McManus | ESPNNewYork.com Thomas Jones, a retired running back who played for five teams in 12 NFL seasons, has decided to donate his brain upon his death to the Sports Legacy Institute to be studied for evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Jones said he has no idea how many concussions he sustained, but that he's concerned with what they could mean for his future. "Honestly, like I couldn't give you a number because you just play with them," Jones said. "You can't know; nobody does. I think the guys counting the concussions were the ones that got knocked out." The Sports Legacy Institute won't confirm individual donations, but a spokesperson said that more than 600 living athletes have decided to donate their brains to be studied. Of 34 neural tissue samples from NFL players, 33 had evidence of CTE. Jones said he can only guess at what has happened to his brain after 20 years of games and practices -- and numerous "baby concussions" -- through his NFL, college and high school career. "It's like taking a fresh, ripe apple and tapping it with your thumb over and over again," Jones said. Jones is in the editing process of a documentary series, "The NFL: The Gift or the Curse?" The first of six planned episodes, produced by Jones' company Independently Major Entertainment Films, deals with concussions and suicide. He interviewed Ann McKee, co-director of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy at Boston University and co-director Chris Nowinski about the issue. Jones decided to make his donation after conducting interviews for the project. Last week, Junior Seau's family revealed that his brain showed evidence of CTE when he committed suicide last year. This generation of players is the first to play with concrete evidence that they could be compromising not-too-distant futures by playing professional football. In the documentary, Jones also interviewed former defensive end Adewale Ogunleye, who was drafted by the Dolphins in 2000. Ogunleye sees ominous signs in what might just be everyday forgetfulness. "Somebody might tell me their name; I don't remember it right away," Ogunleye said. "Now I kind of laugh it off but when stuff like that happens, I'll be like, 'Damn, I hope these concussions don't come back to haunt us in the end.' And if they do, I just pray someone is there to help me through the tough times that may come." In the rough cut, Ogunleye then puts his face in his hands. Jones comes over and puts his arm on Ogunleye's shoulder. These issues are personal for NFL players. Jones uses the example of Dave Duerson's suicide in February of last year. "His suicide, you see it on TV and it's just news," Jones said. "But to us, it's more than that." Jones envisions the series as the players speaking directly to the fans about the pitfalls of playing in the NFL. He understands that many people see attaining the dream of playing in the NFL as a dream come true, but wants to show what it looks like through the eyes of the men who reached that goal. "The fans look at it as money," Jones said, "but once you've bought everything you want, you realize there is more you want out of life." The series also will focus on issues such as domestic violence and financial pressures. Jones is talking with possible distributors for the project. http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/stor...n-science-dies |
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01-16-2013, 11:32 AM | #16 |
No mayonnaise for me today!!!
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01-16-2013, 11:36 AM | #17 | |
Rockin' yer FACE OFF!
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01-16-2013, 11:36 AM | #18 | |
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I'll spend a few minutes on this, though God knows why because I damn well know it's a waste of time: 1. until the last few years, nobody really understood just how damaging multiple concussions could be to the quality of life of football players post-career. So yes, they understood the risk of injury, but did they understand that multiple concussions might leave them seriously mentally impaired on a daily basis by the time they were 50? Hell no. 2. You say they are whining and want sympathy. I didn't see any whining there. I saw a bunch of statements of obvious facts, and CONCERN that he MIGHT be in trouble in the future. Like any normal human would be concerned. 3. It seems to me that donating one's brain to scientific study, and discussing this issue, can only help future players and the NFL try to figure out how to play the game in a way that we recognize as football, while trying to avoid having a psychiatric ward full of mentally impaired former NFL players. What, exactly, did Jones do that was wrong here? Answer: nothing. But by all means go back to your knuckle-dragging, mouth-breathing "he knew da risks, **** 'im" point of view. I'm sure that will be very beneficial to former, current and future NFL players.
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01-16-2013, 11:37 AM | #19 |
Rockin' yer FACE OFF!
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There doesn't appear to be much for them to study, so I'd say don't bother...
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01-16-2013, 11:39 AM | #20 | |
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Yeah, most of us can't relate. Even if you played all the way through high school, varsity, you DID NOT play in a major college program for 4 years (where the speed and force of collisions are what? Double? Triple your average HS?) and then for years more at the NFL (where you can probably double or triple them again). Also, some positions are going to be far more prone to this than others. QB? Kicker? Punter? Offensive Line? Defensive line? Chances are you probably aren't taking the kind of repeated head shots that players at other positions are taking.
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01-16-2013, 11:39 AM | #21 | |
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01-16-2013, 11:40 AM | #22 |
No mayonnaise for me today!!!
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What more can they possibly do to make the game safer without making it flag football is my point.
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01-16-2013, 11:40 AM | #23 |
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You're really ****ing stupid
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01-16-2013, 11:41 AM | #24 |
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Jones was already about as useful as a brain in a jar when we got him.
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01-16-2013, 11:44 AM | #25 | |
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My point is, it's depressing because at the end of the day, there is not much more that can be done to make the game safer. It is what it is.
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01-16-2013, 11:45 AM | #26 |
Say hello to my little friend
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01-16-2013, 11:46 AM | #27 |
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okay...that is equatable.... or.... just ****ing stupid.
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01-16-2013, 11:48 AM | #28 | |
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01-16-2013, 11:49 AM | #29 |
No mayonnaise for me today!!!
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I understand that you guys dont know me, so I should probably lay off the sarcasm a bit.
The point is, what else can be done to make the game safer? Donating your brain is great. In the long term what is that going to accomplish? It's going to show more evidence of how violent the game really is. Its going to scare parents off from teaching there kids the game. |
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01-16-2013, 12:25 PM | #30 |
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suspose his brain never was right .....
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