(CNN) -- His was a suicide with a macabre twist. In February, former Chicago Bears safety David Duerson shot himself in the chest, but not before leaving behind a note requesting his brain be studied for evidence of a disease striking football players.
The plaintive note read, "Please, see that my brain is given to the NFL's brain bank."
Today, scientists announced that Duerson's brain tissue showed "moderately advanced" evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a dementia-like brain disease afflicting athletes exposed to repeated brain trauma.
Duerson's wife described him as articulate and bright, but that over time his personality and brain function changed. After games, he would be dizzy or not himself, and asked her to drive. Sometimes he had emotional outburts, which is not surprising when a study revealed the affected parts of his brain controlled mood and impulse control. It explains why he shot himself, but doesn't make the loss any easier for those who loved him.
Some may make the argument that athletes enter this knowingly, and accept the terms in exchange for fame and money. I respectfully disagree. Young athletes are pushed and directed without concern for their long-term health. Signing waivers to protect colleges and pro teams is no the same as having a conversation in which the injuries are not only diagnosed, but truly assessed. If players know of the dangers and accept them willingly, what to do then? What safeguards can be put into place to make sure that a bright and talented professional can have a life on the side, and a retirement to look forward to?
It's a game. Nobody's life or quality of life is worth scoring. I don't care what the coaches say. However, I don't have any good ideas for resolving the problem besides upping the care players receive, and the intent of those deciding when they are healthy and safe.
Your thoughts?
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