Brain Traum Football s Final Fight - 1919 Words

Omar â€Å"Chico† Salinas Honors English 10 Mrs. Kline 16 March 2016 Brain Trauma: Football’s Final Fight? Most people can agree that sports are deeply imbedded in America’s culture. But through the years, more concern is being raised about a specific injury that is becoming more common while playing a sport- traumatic brain injury (TBI). A traumatic brain injury arises from an external force, causing damage to brain tissue. Brain trauma from youth football and the levels beyond can have devastating long-term effects. Traumatic brain injuries can have many effects that vary in both severity and symptoms. CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy is one effect of a TBI. CTE was discovered by Dr. Bennet Omalu. In a CNN article, the authors state†¦show more content†¦One could even have a brain scan, and it would not be able to detect if one sustained a concussion. Concussions are rated on a mild to severe scale. A mild concussion might result in a small change of consciousness. While a severe concussion could have symptoms ranging from unconsciousness, coma, to even death. A concussion is one of the most common sports-related injuries. Concussions have also been found to be related to CTE. In her book, McClafferty reports that, â€Å"17% of people develop chronic traumatic encephalopathy that have had repetitive concussions† (McClafferty 77). This helps support the link between traumatic brain injuries and concussions. Scientists, before brain trauma was considered an exceedingly ser ious element of sports, expressed their disquiet for football and long-term mental illness. A scientist by the name of Guskiewitz and his research group conclude that their â€Å"findings suggest that the onset of dementia-related syndromes may be instituted by repetitive cerebral concussions† (Fainaru-Wada and Fainaru 343). Ultimately, brain traumas known effects are expanding with each study that is done; it raises an even grander amount of concern for the safety of those who participate in sports. Suicide is another disturbing effect of brain trauma. One of the many disheartening examples of suicide from brain injuries is the case of Joseph Chernach. This young man hung himself in summer 2012. Chernach’s brain was later found to have