Thomas Jones to donate brain for study after death

[nychief]

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

[HolyHat]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

You're an idiot. Just sayin'

Go blow Tom Brady

[InChiefsHeaven]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

So let's assume you started when you were at 8 years old, which is about as early as it gets. You played 8 years, total. And when you're young you seriously just aren't moving all that fast. The violence of the collisions increases as you get older.

If Jones started at the same age as you, he played your 8 years, plus 2 more HS years, plus 4 more college, plus 12 pro, so a total of 26 years. More than triple you, and MOST of those were when the action is much, much faster/harder, and the chances of concussion that might higher.

That, more than anything else, is why you're almost definitely fine, and he is probably ****ed.

Agreed, totally. I guess I was trying to illustrate that none if us can know the toll it takes on your body because there are no professional or hell very few college athletes (if any) on this board, so we can't go off our own life experience of "Sucking it up and get through it".

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by @KCsporting

I don't care what anyone says, my mind will not change about this. You choose your path. You knew the risks involved, don't come crying about it. You could have taken your free college education and gotten a great job working for 6 figures, and not had to worry about concussions. Instead you wanted big money so you took the risk. I don't give a shit. Go play tennis next time pussy

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.

[InChiefsHeaven]

Originally Posted by @KCsporting

I get a headache if I don't drink 2 red bulls in a day. Should I donate my brain?

There doesn't appear to be much for them to study, so I'd say don't bother...

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by InChiefsHell

Agreed, totally. I guess I was trying to illustrate that none if us can know the toll it takes on your body because there are no professional or hell very few college athletes (if any) on this board, so we can't go off our own life experience of "Sucking it up and get through it".

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.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by InChiefsHell

There doesn't appear to be much for them to study, so I'd say don't bother...

[HolyHat]

What more can they possibly do to make the game safer without making it flag football is my point.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by @KCsporting

I get a headache if I don't drink 2 red bulls in a day. Should I donate my brain?

These guys all want to come out after they retire and cry about injuries. Ok, thats fine please return all your money to the NFL vault and we will fix your brain.

You're really ****ing stupid

[RealSNR]

Jones was already about as useful as a brain in a jar when we got him.

[InChiefsHeaven]

Originally Posted by @KCsporting

What more can they possibly do to make the game safer without making it flag football is my point.

That didn't seem like the point you were making.

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.

[Brock]

Originally Posted by @KCsporting

What more can they possibly do to make the game safer without making it flag football is my point.

No, that wasn't your point. Your point was the same as every other sidewalk commando who thinks addressing brain trauma in football players is whining.

[nychief]

Originally Posted by @KCsporting

I get a headache if I don't drink 2 red bulls in a day. Should I donate my brain?

These guys all want to come out after they retire and cry about injuries. Ok, thats fine please return all your money to the NFL vault and we will fix your brain.

okay...that is equatable.... or.... just ****ing stupid.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by @KCsporting

I don't care what anyone says, my mind will not change about this. You choose your path. You knew the risks involved, don't come crying about it. You could have taken your free college education and gotten a great job working for 6 figures, and not had to worry about concussions. Instead you wanted big money so you took the risk. I don't give a shit. Go play tennis next time pussy

The we have to hear about preventing knee degradation in tennis players

[HolyHat]

Originally Posted by nychief

okay...that is equatable.... or.... just ****ing stupid.

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.

[boogblaster]

suspose his brain never was right .....