Off Their Heads?

The Australian Sports Brain Bank has received 21 donated organs from former players. The Brain Bank found that 12 of these brains showed signs of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a condition resulting from concussion (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/feb/28/concussion-in-sport-cte-found-in-more-than-half-of-sportspeople-who-donated-brains). There is no doubt that CTE is a post-mortem sign of serious damage to the brain. It is also obvious, that sports characterised by physical contact, are likely to produce concussion. Apparently worryingly, the Bank Bank's report noted CTE in some of their younger subjects. These would have participated in their chosen sports for shorter periods of time. One must remember, however, that these were self-selected, donated brains. People (or their representatives) would be more likely to agree to donate the brains when they a) felt that death was likely and b) feared the subject was already experiencing neurological symptoms. Concussion in sport is a serious issue. Every attempt should be made in all contact sports, to reduce its impact (with head guards, equipment changes and post-concussion protocols). Having said that, playing sports is generally beneficial to health and can/has lifted some people out of poverty. This may be a babies and bathwater issue?