Questioning the NFL CTE Admission
Posted on: March 18, 2016 NFL Concussion Lawsuits
The NFL has spent decades trying to discredit evidence that showed a link between playing football and the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy, also known as CTE. After years of denial, and untold millions of dollars in marketing to promote the safety of the game to parents of children who play the game, why would the league suddenly reverse course and admit there is a link between football and CTE? The most likely answer is to save itself money in future settlements.
Jeff Miller’s statement that there is “certainly” a link between football and degenerative brain disorders, like CTE, will make it tougher for future players to accuse the NFL of hiding the dangers of playing football. Miller’s admission effectively puts players on notice that there is a risk of degenerative brain disease that comes with playing professional football. Going forward, after this admission, the league may argue that future players diagnosed with CTE knew the risks associated with playing football and assumed those risks by continuing to play. So while this may seem like a step forward for the NFL, the motives behind the admission may not be as altruistic as the league might want you to believe.
For more information on the NFL concussion lawsuit and CTE, visit our NFL concussion page.