The recent news of Steve 'Mongo' McMichael's posthumous diagnosis with CTE has once again brought the spotlight on the long-term effects of head trauma in athletes. McMichael, a former NFL player and Super Bowl champion, succumbed to ALS complications, but his brain revealed a more sinister legacy: stage three chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This diagnosis is a stark reminder of the pervasive and often deadly consequences of repeated head injuries, particularly in sports like football and soccer.
What makes McMichael's case particularly poignant is the clear connection between CTE and ALS. His wife, Misty McMichael, emphasizes the need for awareness and research, as too many NFL players are developing ALS during their lifetimes and being diagnosed with CTE post-mortem. The Concussion and CTE Foundation's research confirms this link, with Dr. Ann McKee noting that about 6% of individuals in their CTE brain bank also have ALS. This statistic is alarming, especially considering the prevalence of CTE in former NFL players.
The foundation's CEO, Dr. Chris Nowinsky, highlights a crucial point: CTE is not solely a professional athlete's problem. It affects athletes who played college sports and even those who never played after high school. This broader scope of the issue underscores the need for comprehensive awareness and prevention strategies. The concern extends beyond the NFL, as concussions and CTE are also prevalent in soccer, primarily due to the headers involved in the sport.
Spero Mandakis, a soccer coach, emphasizes the importance of long-term brain safety for athletes. He and other coaches agree that the issue has become more prominent in the past decade, with high-profile cases involving NFL stars with CTE. However, Nowinsky also points out that there are still many misperceptions and that much more work needs to be done to educate and protect athletes across all levels of sports.
The McMichael family's decision to donate Steve's brain to research is a powerful act of advocacy. It serves as a catalyst for further investigation into the link between CTE and ALS, potentially leading to better prevention and treatment strategies. As the sports world grapples with this grim reality, it is imperative to heed the call for increased awareness and action to safeguard the brains of athletes, ensuring their long-term health and well-being.
