R.I.P. Dave Duerson

[SonnyJerg]

Is there something they can do in advancing the technology of the football helmet that could lower the risk of such injuries?

Football gets more and more aggressive as the years go on and wonder if anyone is working on more advanced protect equipment.

RIP Dave Duerson.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Three thoughts:

1) I hate when people say r.i.p. it's dumb, cliche, and meaningless.

2) by reading some of th comments here, it sounds like some of you have the position that the sad thing is we should have paid these older players more money before they killed themselves.

3) air traffic controllers, white male physicians, black security guards, and female artists, all have higher suicde rates than former professional athletes. Its trendy to correlate suicides with concussions, but the truth is, 11 out of every 100,000 deaths in the United States is due to suicide. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in this country.... Is it all because of concussions? Please. Former nfl players are at no higher risk of suicide than any one else in similar circumstances.

NFL players are people, just like you and me. People have problems. Some people can't deal and chose suicide.

This whole concussion-suicide link is a pseudo-scientific, media perpetuated delusion that exists because sane rationale people like you and me look for excuses to explain why someone would do something we can't fathom doing. It's no different than a grieving parent choosing to believe that their child died because God needed another angel in heaven. If God has the power to create the universe, he doesn't need to kill a baby to make an angel. Concussions damage your brain, but they don't alter thought patterns.

Google Dave Duerson and you'll find he had a history of personal problems and domestic abuse. In the years before his suicide, he went through a divorce and his company essentially went bankrupt. He was destitute and overwhelmed with personal problems... but that had nothing to do with his suicide. It was the concussions that did it. That's the better story anyway.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

Three thoughts:

1) I hate when people say r.i.p. it's dumb, cliche, and meaningless.

2) by reading some of th comments here, it sounds like some of you have the position that the sad thing is we should have paid these older players more money before they killed themselves.

3) air traffic controllers, white male physicians, black security guards, and female artists, all have higher suicde rates than former professional athletes. Its trendy to correlate suicides with concussions, but the truth is, 11 out of every 100,000 deaths in the United States is due to suicide. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in this country.... Is it all because of concussions? Please. Former nfl players are at no higher risk of suicide than any one else in similar circumstances.

NFL players are people, just like you and me. People have problems. Some people can't deal and chose suicide.

This whole concussion-suicide link is a pseudo-scientific, media perpetuated delusion that exists because sane rationale people like you and me look for excuses to explain why someone would do something we can't fathom doing. It's no different than a grieving parent choosing to believe that their child died because God needed another angel in heaven. If God has the power to create the universe, he doesn't need to kill a baby to make an angel. Concussions damage your brain, but they don't alter thought patterns.

Google Dave Duerson and you'll find he had a history of personal problems and domestic abuse. In the years before his suicide, he went through a divorce and his company essentially went bankrupt. He was destitute and overwhelmed with personal problems... but that had nothing to do with his suicide. It was the concussions that did it. That's the better story anyway.

1)RIP is a consoling phrase. It has a value to those who read/hear it and concur within there heart and soul. it may have deeper value, some certainly believe it does, but even if it serves only as a sincere expression of care and concern for one who has passed, it is a significant phrase.

2) I didn't reread the thread, but I would be shocked if the majority of posts reflected the attitude of pay them more, and be done with it.

3) I agree there are more factors in suicide, but unless you have a degree in brain medicine, I rhink it is a bit naive to say that there can't be a link. Other groups may find different increases in risks, and I am sure those are being studied to see if some thing specific could be identified. For football players, one of those things is likely head trauma. as for the troubles he was having, I don't know his life, maybe the head trauma impacted that which led him down to a hopeless point. because ultimately that is what drives a person to suicide, having more belief that his absence will do no harm than hope that his presence will do some good.

[SolidSnake84]

I don't really know how to feel as on one hand I think players back then played knowing the risks, but on the other hand i do agree that more should be done to keep them safe and take care of them after their careers are over.

What gets me mad is guys coming out of the woodwork and claiming cripppling injuries that are probably just looking to get paid.

Mark Rypien comes to mind, no dis-respect intended, but there was this story a few months back where he has concussion problems so bad that bright lights make him sick, he can't drive a car, etc...he forgets where he is going, etc, etc and is suing the NFL, and then a story comes out about him hosting a celebrity golf tournament. Makes you wonder...

[Defensewins]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

1)RIP is a consoling phrase. It has a value to those who read/hear it and concur within there heart and soul. it may have deeper value, some certainly believe it does, but even if it serves only as a sincere expression of care and concern for one who has passed, it is a significant phrase.

2) I didn't reread the thread, but I would be shocked if the majority of posts reflected the attitude of pay them more, and be done with it.

3) I agree there are more factors in suicide, but unless you have a degree in brain medicine, I rhink it is a bit naive to say that there can't be a link. Other groups may find different increases in risks, and I am sure those are being studied to see if some thing specific could be identified. For football players, one of those things is likely head trauma. as for the troubles he was having, I don't know his life, maybe the head trauma impacted that which led him down to a hopeless point. because ultimately that is what drives a person to suicide, having more belief that his absence will do no harm than hope that his presence will do some good.

There is a scientifically confirmed physical medical condition called Traumatic Encephalopathy. Watch the video on this page it is very enlightening.

Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy | Boston University

[44ever]

Originally Posted by Defensewins

There is a scientifically confirmed physical medical condition called Traumatic Encephalopathy. Watch the video on this page it is very enlightening.

Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy | Boston University

Scary stuff!

I don't see how concussion can be avoided in the NFL. The game would have to change dramatically to the point where it would not resemble in the least, football as we know it today.

The guys getting into the sport today must realize that they are putting their life in jeopardy. I don't think they should be allowed to sue the NFL, especially now that they "know" getting hit in the head can cause brain damage. Who would have thought...

I think at some point we will see something like a 3 and out rule regarding concussion in the NFL. (After so many concussions, career over).

[HailGreen28]

Originally Posted by 44ever

Scary stuff!

I don't see how concussion can be avoided in the NFL. The game would have to change dramatically to the point where it would not resemble in the least, football as we know it today.

The guys getting into the sport today must realize that they are putting their life in jeopardy. I don't think they should be allowed to sue the NFL, especially now that they "know" getting hit in the head can cause brain damage. Who would have thought...

I think at some point we will see something like a 3 and out rule regarding concussion in the NFL. (After so many concussions, career over).

Nerf helmets.