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

[loochy]

I hope they have an electron microscope handy.

[Chief_For_Life58]

im kinda excited to see this documentary hes helping put together

[HolyHat]

I love how all these Athletes try and make us feel sorry for them. You signed the million dollar contract to get hit in the head thousands of times, nobody forced you to do it. You could have gone a different route with your free college degree. Shut the **** up and cash your check while the rest of us work 9-5. I don't care about your head problems, not even a little bit.

[Brock]

Originally Posted by @KCsporting

I don't care about your head problems, not even a little bit.

Stupid.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by @KCsporting

I love how all these Athletes try and make us feel sorry for them. You signed the million dollar contract to get hit in the head thousands of times, nobody forced you to do it. You could have gone a different route with your free college degree. Shut the **** up and cash your check while the rest of us work 9-5. I don't care about your head problems, not even a little bit.

You're an idiot. Just sayin'

[HolyHat]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

You're an idiot. Just sayin'

Go blow Tom Brady

[Molitoth]

Originally Posted by @KCsporting

You signed the million dollar contract to get hit in the head thousands of times, nobody forced you to do it. You could have gone a different route with your free college degree. cash your check while the rest of us work 9-5.

Totally this. edited.

[El Jefe]

Originally Posted by @KCsporting

I love how all these Athletes try and make us feel sorry for them. You signed the million dollar contract to get hit in the head thousands of times, nobody forced you to do it. You could have gone a different route with your free college degree. Shut the **** up and cash your check while the rest of us work 9-5. I don't care about your head problems, not even a little bit.

It's like, you are in my head thinking my thoughts. GREAT post!

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by El Jefe

It's like, you are in my head thinking my thoughts. GREAT post!

Great post? Are you ****ing reeruned?

How many of the 1,700 NFL players earn a million dollars per season?

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

How many of the 1,700 NFL players earn a million dollars per season?

I know most of them don't but you can bet your ass every single one of them is trying to get that multi million $ payday.

How many of them do you think aren't aware of the risks?

Lets go one step farther, how many don't know the risks and would walk away once they know the risk?I believe that number to be 0.

[cosmo20002]

Originally Posted by @KCsporting

I love how all these Athletes try and make us feel sorry for them. You signed the million dollar contract to get hit in the head thousands of times, nobody forced you to do it. You could have gone a different route with your free college degree. Shut the **** up and cash your check while the rest of us work 9-5. I don't care about your head problems, not even a little bit.

So, you're kind of a dick, huh?

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

So, you're kind of a dick, huh?

No, he's being sarcastic.



Well, that was his excuse after being called a dumbass numerous times.

[mikey23545]

Originally Posted by @KCsporting

I love how all these Athletes try and make us feel sorry for them. You signed the million dollar contract to get hit in the head thousands of times, nobody forced you to do it. You could have gone a different route with your free college degree. Shut the **** up and cash your check while the rest of us work 9-5. I don't care about your head problems, not even a little bit.

I can understand your lack of human compassion.

Besides your career as a big time NFL scout which must have led to your obvious penis envy, it is also very clear you've had way too many concussions yourself...

[HolyHat]

Originally Posted by mikey23545

I can understand your lack of human compassion.

Besides your career as a big time NFL scout which must have led to your obvious penis envy, it is also very clear you've had way too many concussions yourself...

I spent 6 months working with my uncle for a pro team, I've never claimed to be some super scout. I was a piss on intern pretty much. I did it to pass time and try something that I thought I would love, I hated it so much that I decided to go defend your country for 4 years instead. Is that ok with you? You ****ing dumb dick clown douche excuse for a human. Go piss on your balls loser.