Stephen Davis already experiencing memory loss

[Montsta]

doesn't take much to realize that the hits coming from 22-40 year old professional athletes are going to be harder and therefore more damaging than coming from those 8-21 years old. also those professional athletes are in those situations for longer every year than those much younger. compare the length of season for pop warner, high school, and college to the pros.

I wasn't trying to argue if a 25 year old pro hits harder than pop Warner so I apologize if that's how it came across. I'm saying a 12 year old with a 12 year old neck, head, and skull might take as much brain damage from a concussion as a grown man being hit harder from another grown man. Basically I'm saying that simple physical development of the brain may be affected more at a young age from a blow to the head moreso than a harder hit at an older age. Not sure if that makes sense what I'm trying to say.

[rayzor]

I wasn't trying to argue if a 25 year old pro hits harder than pop Warner so I apologize if that's how it came across. I'm saying a 12 year old with a 12 year old neck, head, and skull might take as much brain damage from a concussion as a grown man being hit harder from another grown man. Basically I'm saying that simple physical development of the brain may be affected more at a young age from a blow to the head moreso than a harder hit at an older age. Not sure if that makes sense what I'm trying to say.

i understand what you're trying to say, but there's a jump in the amount of power going from even the college ranks to the pros.

it's brought up quite frequently in draft discussions but overlooked in this one. also with the seasons being significantly longer the risk is greater. another thing to consider is the ability of the body to recover is much greater when you are younger. as you age, your ability to recover takes longer.

[Montsta]

i understand what you're trying to say, but there's a jump in the amount of power going from even the college ranks to the pros.

it's brought up quite frequently in draft discussions but overlooked in this one. also with the seasons being significantly longer the risk is greater. another thing to consider is the ability of the body to recover is much greater when you are younger. as you age, your ability to recover takes longer.

That makes sense. But one could also argue that a blow to the head while the brain is still developing could have more long term effects than when it is fully matured. I don't pretend to know at what age this happens, just throwing it out there.

[rayzor]

it's good for discussion, but what is constantly thrown out of the argument or at least ignored is the fact that the players get his harder and more often in the pros than at any time in their "careers". and most of them came into the league only thinking about today and not worrying about potential long term issues. why? BECAUSE THEY ARE KIDS! and they count on those teams, their employers being able to take care of them and not expose them to more injury than necessary and that their employers are taking whatever measures are necessary to protect them or at least help limit the effect that the game has on them. employers, if they are worth a crap, will try to provide as safe an environment as possible for their employees while still trying to make the best product possible.

research is just now getting to a point where they can see just exactly what kind of damage takes place and they are changing the way they do things all across the board and for all age groups to help protect them from serious brain damage. players were putting themselves and getting put in situations where they are playing when they shouldn't because of hits they had taken. everyone was working with incomplete information. it makes sense that the league in some cases helps carry an extra burden that former players have to carry financially because of injuries that wouldn't have been as severe if they knew what was going on.

[TANTRIC-NINJA]

This is why Robot Boxing will be the biggest sport in 2021....im from the future.

[stankowalski]

In my opinion I think that...hey what were we talking about?

[pantherclaw]

These NFL players should ask how rough it is for a rugby player.

Seriously.

[thatlookseasy]

These NFL players should ask how rough it is for a rugby player.

Seriously.

Rugby players take significantly fewer shots to the head. Because nobody is stupid enough to tackle with their head if they aren't wearing a helmet.

[Vampire the buffet slayer]

Quote

Davis, 38, told Nathan Fenno of the Washington Times he’s having trouble remembering conversations with his wife or paying bills.

If forgetting what my wife says and not remembering to pay bills are the results of concussions then I must be Dan Morgan.

[88 Bronco]

I agree that the players should accept more responsibility for their health, but does anyone remember the backlash Jay Cutler received when he sat out a playoff game injured?

[weymouthst]

except it's only been recently that the long term effects have been studied. it's only recently that they've found what kind of impact those injuries are having on the brain.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to deduce that getting knocked repeatedly in the dome is bad for you.

[TANTRIC-NINJA]

Quote

Davis, 38, told Nathan Fenno of the Washington Times he’s having trouble remembering conversations with his wife or paying bills.

If forgetting what my wife says and not remembering to pay bills are the results of concussions then I must be Dan Morgan.

I told my student loans that because of being hit excessively on madden, I will have to defer my payments...possible simulated concussion syndrome

[top dawg]

Priest Holmes saw different colored skies sometimes.

I feel bad for Davis and the rest of the guys of that era. They were just ignorant warriors. Guys coming through today will get less sympathy years from now.

[GRWatcher]

I believe that all NFL Players have a medical plan, if so...there medical coverages through the NFL, should cover the injuries. This plan should work much like the medical plans many of us has on our jobs.

They are covered under the team's plan while playing. If they played for more than 3 years, recent era players have a retirement plan but I don't think it covers medical. Older former players do not have the same level of retirement pay. How would you like to pay $2000-3000 per month for medical coverage with a high deductible just for you, not your family, because you played pro football? I heard once that is the amount charged the retired players by insurers.

I agree that the players should accept more responsibility for their health, but does anyone remember the backlash Jay Cutler received when he sat out a playoff game injured?

Or the year long criticism of Rothlesberger by Hines Ward just a few years ago?

Priest Holmes saw different colored skies sometimes.

I feel bad for Davis and the rest of the guys of that era. They were just ignorant warriors. Guys coming through today will get less sympathy years from now.

I support this lawsuit. Most of these players were in leather or thin plastic helmets with little padding. And were 'encouraged' to return to the game. Most team doctors back then couldn't spell concussion let alone know the symptoms to look for. If there was scholarly knowledge back then, it took the NFL way too long to implement any safety precautions. Then the amount of money provided the retirees for treatment was meager and fought the whole way.

LP is correct about what a lawsuit does to business cultures. And the larger the group bringing the suit, the better. That is what Davis has done. Added his name.

He's only 38 years old. 38! Not 70 or 80. And knows this will happen sooner rather than later:

there isn’t no telling what day I’ll forget everything