Football is widely viewed as the most popular sport in America. The players exhibit speed and strength that can seem otherworldly to most normal human beings. However, they do have to take care of their bodies just like the rest of us, something that the NFL may not want you to know.

A rising concern among fans and players is concussions. Several concussions over time can lead to a degenerative brain disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or more known as CTE.

According to a study done by Dr. Jesse Mez just this year, the percentage of former NFL players who exhibited signs of CTE was just over 99 percent (110 out of 111 players). The NFL draws in its audience with its highlight plays and violent collisions. However, it is these collisions that can cause the potential downfall of its players’ health.

While the NFL has made strides in trying to make the game safer for its players, there is still a long road ahead of them. They have attempted to eliminate certain types of tackles to protect the players and have initiated a concussion protocol for players to go through if they exhibit symptoms. However, there have already been two instances this year of not properly following this protocol, first with the Indianapolis Colts and then with the Seattle Seahawks.

I believe that the best step the NFL can make is redesigning the players’ helmets. Today’s helmets used by the NFL only protect against skull fractures and not against brain and neck injuries, according to a TED talk given by David Camarillo of Stanford.

Today’s helmets are almost used more as a weapon than a protective device. Players will launch into opponents and lead with their helmet. This only produces more and more head trauma. Camarillo suggested an airbag type of helmet to correspond with the sturdiness of today’s helmet. He said the airbag would prevent a large number of concussions because it is able to slow the head down at contact.

As a huge NFL fan, I would hate to see the game of football be tarnished by putting another human’s health in danger.

Matthew is a senior in LAS. 

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