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Essay 4

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Thinking of how to describe further in the sound of the contact of the two players, I though of the sound rams butt heads.

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EPIC BIGHORN HEAD BUTTING with sound 2017 (4K)

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Concussion symptoms may occur hours or days after the impact to the head.
These symptoms are a commonly accusing problem with concussion victims. I
can relate to feeling the symptoms of a concussion in the days following the
concussion. I still don’t know why the symptoms are felt days later and not right at
impact. “Beyond a few days post-injury, sensitivity tapers off significantly, which
may lead to a premature diagnosis of “good health”.

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Visual-vestibular processing deficits in mild traumatic brain injury

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At the first impact of an concussion, the one who was hit and anyone watching
should get help right away. Help prevent concussions before they become
lifelong concussion symptoms. “ I couldn’t see very well, I felt light headed”.

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Life with Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) is hard. Symptoms can get in the way of anything that requires you to use your brain: school, work, social life, and hobbies all find themselves on the back burner while the brain slowly heals. Here are some tips about how to cope, from those of us that have been there.

Trust yourself: PCS is real.

Not everyone is aware of Post-Concussion Syndrome - even some doctors don't know that concussions can linger for so long. But rest assured, this is a real thing that happens to real people. The first step to recovery, after all, is admitting there is a problem. Don't listen to the haters.

Settle in for the long haul.

PCS doesn't get better tomorrow, but it does get better. Timelines for PCS are usually counted in weeks and months, not days. Along that timeline you will have good days and bad days, and often times you will make a big improvement, then plateau, and maybe even take steps backwards. Don't worry about it - eventually, the bad days will become the exception, not the rule. Try to take things day by day (even though it's hard!), and remember that you can have a bad day, or even a bad week, and still be on the right track to recovery.

Find a strategy that helps you manage your symptoms.

Every case of Post-Concussion Syndrome is different, and what works for some won't work for all. Find something that works for you, and stick to it. Be sure to keep trying new things, even after other strategies don't work. It's hard to know what will work until you try! Here are some things that have helped other PCS patients stay on the right track.

Ally is prepared.
Ally from Massachusetts has been suffering from PCS for several years. She makes sure to never leave home without her Concussion Kit - a small bag filled with sunglasses for when things get too bright, ear plugs for when things get too loud, an eye mask in case she needs a nap, and extra note pads to help her remember appointments and other things she's likely to forget. Read Ally's story.

Quentin has an escape plan.
Quentin has been suffering from PCS for years, and he's learned that he needs to have an escape plan to get out of social situations in case his symptoms get too intense. Working out his escape options before entering a situation gives him confidence to not worry about what will happen if his symptoms get worse, and makes for a quick exit so he can regain his composure when he needs to.

Scott is a nap ninja.
Scott from Scarsdale, NY has become an expert at grabbing some z's when he needs to, especially in the afternoons when his symptoms tend to get worse. Finding a quiet place to lay down during his free periods and making a point to nap when he gets home helps keep his symptoms at bay, and gives him something to look forward to. Read Scott's story.

Georgia knows what to expect.
The worst part for Georgia from Boston was not knowing when her symptoms were going to ruin her day, so she started keeping track of when her symptoms would appear and get worse. She realized that some symptoms would come and go no matter what she did, while others could be nipped in the bud with some quiet time. Knowing what to expect helps her be prepared for today, and watching her symptoms gradually improve as time passes keeps her optimistic about tomorrow.

Esther changed her game.
Esther suffered a concussion that took her out of school for a year, and out of soccer forever. After a difficult retirement from the sport she loved, she turned to other sports to find another activity that she could focus on. Her new pursuits led to new friends, new opportunities, and a positive new outlook, despite her PCS. Watch Esther's story or read blog posts from Esther on losing the sport she loved, how you can spread awareness of PCS, what you don't want to hear while battling PCS, and adapting to daily life with PCS.

Noah has a buddy to confide in.
Noah from Hull, GA says that so much goes through your head while you're living with PCS that it can feel overwhelming. A lot bothers you; you can feel hurt, depressed, not happy, anti-social. But you NEED to have someone you can talk to. Noah found that talking to someone about what is wrong and how he is feeling can help in unexpected, incredible ways. Holding in how you feel can push you to your limit and one day set you over the edge. Talking to someone can often allow the stress to roll off of you. Get a buddy and talk to them often! Watch Noah's story.

Are there coping strategies that have helped you live better with PCS? Let us know at info@concussionfoundation.org.

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Life with Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) is hard. Symptoms can get in the way of anything that requires you to use your brain: school, work, social life, and hobbies all find themselves on the back burner while the brain slowly heals. Here are some tips about how to cope, from those of us that have been there.

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Concussions can last for long periods of time, more than a week unfortunately.
Why can concussions last this long if treated following the proper procedures.
“When symptoms last more than a week or many weeks, these are post concussion
symptoms”

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Post-Concussion Syndrome, or PCS, is the persistence of concussion symptoms beyond the normal course of recovery. The majority of concussion symptoms will resolve within about two weeks, and with proper recovery almost all dissipate within a month. In cases where symptoms last longer than one or two months, doctors may diagnose Post-Concussion Syndrome. Patients with PCS can experience concussion-like symptoms at rest or in response to too much physical or cognitive activity, often forcing them to withdraw from their usual physical, professional, and social lives.

Is PCS normal?

Post-concussion syndrome is a relatively common complication of concussion recovery. In high school athletes diagnosed with concussion, researchers have estimated approximately 10% will develop PCS, and other estimates of other age groups and populations range from 5 to 30%. While most patients will not suffer from PCS, it is important for PCS sufferers to know they are not alone.

Risk Factors: Why do some people suffer from PCS, but others don't?

While it is difficult to predict who will suffer from PCS, research provides some clues as to who may be at more risk. Demographic variables play a role, with women and older adults being at greater risk than men and younger individuals. In addition to demographic variables, a person's concussion and medical history can affect PCS risk. Below are risk factors that appear to increase a person's odds of developing PCS.

Demographic Risk Factors

Medical Risk Factors

Injury Risk Factors

Female sex

History of previous concussion

Severe impact

Advanced age

History of prolonged recovery

Double impact

History of mood, anxiety, learning or seizure disorder

Duration of initial symptoms

History of migraine headaches

Major visual symptoms soon after injury

Interrupting a life: How serious is Post-Concussion Syndrome?

Post-Concussion Syndrome can be extremely disruptive to a patient's life. In addition to having to constantly manage concussion symptoms, which can intensify with normal activity, long-term PCS patients often have to restructure their lives to avoid activities and situations that cause symptoms to worsen. For children, this can mean extended absences from school and removal from sports and extra-curricular activities. In severe cases, it may be necessary for a child to repeat a grade. In adults, PCS can seriously impact a patients' personal and professional life, interfere with family life, as well as the ability to focus, communicate, and be effective at work.
Read about coping strategies for living with PCS.
Are there any treatments for Post-Concussion Syndrome?

Management of PCS is most often a matter of resting and allowing the brain's natural recovery process the time to heal the damage caused by a concussion. After a period of rest, doctors may prescribe active therapies to help alleviate symptoms of PCS, but there is no single treatment that is effective in all cases.

PCS therapies identify the worst symptoms for an individual patient, and target them with specific therapies to reduce the symptoms or eliminate their cause. These therapies are especially helpful in cases where one or two symptoms simply won't go away.
Learn more about PCS Treatments.
How can I help someone suffering from PCS?

Patients with PCS often report feeling isolated by their illness, and it is difficult for parents, friends and any outside observers to see how disruptive PCS symptoms can be. This can often lead to observers dismissing or minimizing a patient's symptoms, which hurts. They hear, "Are you still hurt?" or "Are you sure you're not faking to get out of school?" PCS is an invisible injury, and many patients often wish they had a more visible injury requiring crutches or a cast so that they would receive more respect.

Family and friends of a patient suffering from PCS can help by recognizing that PCS is a serious condition, and being understanding and supportive if the patient needs to socialize differently. A person with PCS may no longer be able to handle the noise or crowds of a party, but they still need to spend social time with friends, so offer a movie night or just pay them a visit and talk. Other situations may bring on more severe symptoms, so expect someone with PCS to sometimes remove themselves from a loud, bright, crowded, or otherwise over-stimulating situation. Instead of questioning if their headache is really that bad, a supportive friend will offer encouragement and remind their friend that they'll be ready to continue their activity when they're feeling better.

Learn more about what PCS is like by checking out our Personal Stories page, where sufferers of Post-Concussion Syndrome tell their recovery stories.

Is Post-Concussion Syndrome the same thing as CTE?

No. Post-Concussion Syndrome is completely separate from other long-term consequences of brain trauma, such as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). While symptoms may appear similar, the onset of PCS symptoms by definition follow a concussion. PCS does get better over time and in most cases eventually resolves completely. It is not progressive, and it is not degenerative. You will feel better, especially if you work with an experienced medical professional! Click here to learn more about CTE.

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Post-Concussion Syndrome, or PCS, is the persistence of concussion symptoms beyond the normal course of recovery. The majority of concussion symptoms will resolve within about two weeks, and with proper recovery almost all dissipate within a month. In cases where symptoms last longer than one or two months, doctors may diagnose Post-Concussion Syndrome.

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I conducted my interview with a friend that has the effects of a long-lasting
concussion. Life long Concussion victims that have had a sport taken away from
them, it is hard to talk about the concussion. Why did a concussion end your
rugby carrier early? “ Why should I risk my only head and brain to win in the
game and get yelled at after the game? It just doesn't make sense, it was just fun
to compete on the field and it would be very enjoyable to remember the fun times
on the field”.
Killeen, Bryan (Personal Interview) 11 Aprile 2019.

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Concussions are very serious and should be treated with the proper procedures. When
one believes that they are concussed, never not seek medical attention. The smallest concussions are the ones that will last the longest. “I was somewhat naïve
and had no idea that the throbbing headache, immediate nausea, and unbearable
dizziness all indicated a traumatic brain injury” (According to Kohli)

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Thursday, April 14, 2016 was the day that my life turned upside down. I suffered a concussion, my first one ever, during water polo practice. An accidental hit to the head and my world was spinning. I was somewhat naïve and had no idea that the throbbing headache, immediate nausea, and unbearable dizziness all indicated a traumatic brain injury. After finishing the practice, I went straight into a full weekend of Model UN, which involved late nights, stimulation, and not eating properly. Not an ideal situation for someone with a severe concussion.

At school Monday morning, I could not focus on the Spanish presentation as the words were jumbled and I couldn't bear to look at the screen longer than a few minutes. I had never felt like that before, so that's when I knew that something was wrong. Over the next fifteen months, my life as I knew it was completely different.

I took three weeks off from school to rest and recover. Unfortunately, I do not remember much from that time, as I was in a dark place. Literally, I stayed in my room with the curtains drawn and slept, a lot! Sitting on the main floor of my house was too bright and too loud for me. My head would constantly throb in pain. Some days I would wake up just to eat lunch, nap until dinner, and then go right back to bed. Other days I wouldn't even eat because the headache pain made me so nauseous. This routine was repeated again and again. Time kept going, but I felt like I was standing still.

When I was awake, I walked around the house with a hoodie, sunglasses, and a hat on and only emerged from my room to go to a doctor's appointment. We went to see so many doctors that I lost count. They all said the same thing, "you will get better, but it will take time. Unfortunately, we don't know how long." No one could tell me how long this would last, when my pain would subside, or when I would get my life back. That was so hard for me to understand. I was ending my sophomore year of high school and wanted nothing more than to get back to school. Throughout these three weeks, I had minimal contact with my friends.

What made things worse was that others could not understand my pain. No one from my team (players or coaches) reached out to me. The kids at school knew I was hurt, but they didn't really know how bad things were. As time went on and no one reached out, my loneliness grew. I thought if I broke my leg, the kids would see the cast, sign it, hang out with me, and eventually I would heal. Unfortunately, there is no cast with a concussion, no obvious sign of pain or trauma. No tests to show progress.

After 3 weeks, I tried going back to school. To be clear, this did not mean full time, it meant showing up and seeing what I could handle. I went for a couple of days, but my headache would go from bad to worse. Each day my headache increased from the normal throbbing to the splitting "I need to lie down" category. Going to school was just too much - the noise, the lights, the questions, the incomprehensible material. It was overwhelming! Not only did I have to deal with the stress of sitting in classes and not understanding any of the material, I also received minimal support from my classmates. When my friends saw that I was back at school looking "normal", they assumed that I was 100% better. Many of them asked, "how are you still concussed?" or questioned my dedication to the water polo team by asking "are you even still a part of the team?" I was not prepared to face these social hurdles and all the hurtful questions. After finding out that I didn't have to complete my final exams that year, I was so relieved. But when my friends heard, there was a chorus of "omg you're so lucky" or "ugh, I wish I could be concussed!" They just didn't understand. Students recovering from a concussion need to be supported, not challenged or ostracized. After some discussion with the school, I was given final grades based on my year-to-date strong academic performance and told to focus on my recovery. Unfortunately, this relief was short lived as the severity of my concussion started to become more apparent.

My summer was comprised of more than 100 medical and non-medical appointments. No, that is not a typo! While the medical profession has come a long way on many injuries, diagnosing and treating concussions is still in its infancy. From the doctors, therapists, acupuncturist, psychologist, we tried everything. Sometimes, I felt pain relief, but typically it was just temporary. Many times, the treatment made my headache worse! I had to re-learn the basics. My balance was off, my hand-eye coordination was severely diminished, and my mind wasn't able to find the right words or I would mix words up in my head. My cognitive therapist originally assessed me at a 3rd grade level. Think about that - I was a 16-year-old girl about to go into her junior year with the cognitive abilities of an 8-year-old. Although this was one of the hardest things I have ever heard, it was a catalyst that made me want to work harder to get back to my old self.

My 16th birthday was six weeks after my injury, but I didn't feel much like celebrating. My headache was still constant. The noise, music, and chatting all amplified my pain. Even though I didn't want a party, my parents insisted that I needed something to get my spirits up. I hadn't seen any of my friends outside of school for six weeks, yet there was little curiosity about my health. Most of what we talked about was prom. I'm not saying that I needed that night to be all about me, but my friends showing a little more compassion would have helped. On my actual birthday, a girl from my math class, someone who I would call an acquaintance, texted me happy birthday and said, "I hope you feel better soon! Math class isn't the same without you!" That little text message meant the world to me as it showed that someone cared. Just because my best friends didn't care, doesn't mean that other people didn't. A note to friends of people dealing with a concussion: a small message showing you care means the world.

My life before April 14th was normal, as can be for a teenager. I enjoyed school and participated in many after-school activities, which included being on the varsity swimming and water polo teams. In fact, while I wasn't the best player on the water polo team, I was chosen as a co-captain for the varsity team as a sophomore. Most of the girls that swam also played water polo, so we were all super close, or so I thought. Only one of the 20 girls on my team eventually reached out to me. My best friend of 12 years did not call or text for two whole months after she found out I got a concussion. I had a little bit of an easier time understanding why my friends at school didn't reach out to me, but I was so hurt and baffled by the lack of care from someone who I considered my best friend. Looking back, I realize that the physical limitations from a concussion are difficult but they are emotionally compounded if you don't have support from your friends. I guess it's true when they say you really find out who your true friends are in times of need.

Before the start of junior year, I had a few meetings with some faculty and collectively concluded that I should drop my elective that year: AP Chemistry. I was so excited to take that class and challenge myself, but I was held back by my cognitive capabilities. This wasn't ideal and added to the anxiety of my recovery. On my first day of classes, I spoke to all my teachers to explain my situation, as I wasn't able to complete my summer assignments. Other students heard me telling teachers that I was still concussed, and they once again questioned me, "Simran, are you sure you still have a concussion?", "How is it possible that you are still concussed?", or "You have to be better by now. When I had a concussion, I was better in a week!" When I got home that day from school, I broke down, and began to question myself: did I really have a concussion for 5 months? Had I gotten so used to the constant headache that I didn't even have a headache anymore? That was one of the hardest days of my recovery. However, I remember my parents offering great advice: you have to try your best to stay positive and only focus on what you can control. From that point onward, I decided that I would do everything in my power to get through this important year. This was the first year that I used extra time on tests, had a diminished homework load, and used Learning Resources at my school. Because I had all new teachers, I had to prove to them that I was willing to work hard and do my best even with my limitations. For the first two months of junior year, I wasn't able to attend full days, as my headaches would be limiting part way through the day depending on the workload. I had a constant headache from April to October, six whole months, 175 days. At that point, the pain started to ease.

Throughout my various treatments, I pushed myself to stay positive. After a while my sunglasses came off, I could walk around without my hoodie, and was able to sit on the main floor of my house without exacerbating my symptoms. The lights didn't bother me and nor did the sound of TV or music. As I went from appointment to appointment for pain relief and therapy, I started to notice progress there too. My balance was coming back, I could find the words in the word search without any help. In late 2016, I finally got an appointment with a well-known concussion doctor in Chicago: Dr. Labella. She knew concussions, she had an integrated plan for assessments, and a variety of treatments in case one didn't work. One treatment she suggested was sub-occipital nerve block injections. These were injections in the back of my head attempting to numb the nerve that amplified my pain. The irony is that the most painful option was the only one that worked for me. For the first time in months, I was pain free!

I have learned so much about myself through this recovery. I have grown as a person and am so much stronger and more mature than I was before. There were days when I moped around the house, crying and my frustration would eat away at me. Why did this happen? What did I ever do to deserve this? Honestly, no one has the answers to these questions. What I do believe is that everything happens for a reason. This setback has taught me patience, dedication, perseverance, and the power of positive thinking. I knew I would get better, it was only a question of how long will it take. I now have the confidence to face any future adversity head-on and know that I can be successful. I recently finished my junior year and am happy to report that I received really good grades. As a wise man told me, it's not how you start the race, Simran, it's how you finish that counts. I believe I finished strong.

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Thursday, April 14, 2016 was the day that my life turned upside down. I suffered a concussion, my first one ever, during water polo practice. An accidental hit to the head and my world was spinning. I was somewhat naïve and had no idea that the throbbing headache, immediate nausea, and unbearable dizziness all indicated a traumatic brain injury.

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Being on the receiving end of the concussion and not knowing he was concusses was what lead him to a life of pain. “ My concussions were recognizable, but I wasn't aware of or able to remember most of them... After a while, a teammate saw that I was having seizures and reported it to the team, but I was never told this may be serious or that I shouldn't play anymore…Arrington is still living life with seizures that could have been prevented earlier in life”(Adrian Arrington)

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As a kid I grew up in a small town of 2,000 black people in Shaw, Mississippi. I appreciate my hometown because it's where I learned about how to get through struggles and how to work hard, but there was no diversity and there were few job opportunities. Then my family moved, and I discovered football. I started playing at the age of 10 when I first moved from Mississippi to Bloomington, Illinois. I saw that they had Junior Football League, and I was in awe because we didn't have those programs when I was growing up. Football gave me a chance to see the world, to dream about seeing something different outside of Shaw. I saw that it gave me an opportunity to stay out of trouble and gave me an incentive to want to do something in life. Football gave me hope.

But I want people, both players and fans, to understand that this is a game. People say so many negative things about the players who are struggling. It hurts my heart to hear, "They knew what they were getting into. They knew what was going to happen." That's hard to deal with when the doctor tells you that your seizures are so severe that you may die at any time.
I love football, but we are not prepared enough to handle the risks that come with playing the game. My goal growing up was to use football to get out of poverty, to stay out of the homeless shelter, and to provide something different for my kids. To be in the situation I am in now-it hurts.
My concussions were recognizable, but I wasn't aware of or able to remember most of them. The concussions came from big collisions when I played strong safety in college. It was a hard-hitting position and there were times I'd be knocked unconscious. Usually I'd be told about them later by teammates or friends. I'd also be told that I was placed back into that same game a few plays afterwards. This happened a few times. After a while, a teammate saw that I was having seizures and reported it to the team, but I was never told this may be serious or that I shouldn't play anymore.

The consequences of the trauma started to show back in 2009, and they've continued up until now. There are blackouts. Memory loss. Seizures.

I wake up every day wondering if I'm going to have a seizure. On days that I have one, I'm unable to do anything. Being a former student athlete, I've felt fatigue, but never the type of fatigue that I have after a seizure. Every muscle in your body hurts. You're in a bed for a full day.

I usually have at least two or three seizures a week. Some weeks I'm lucky and I'll have one, but a seizure-free week is rare. I take medications that slow down my seizures and make them less frequent, but they've never stopped. I've never had anything that stopped my migraine headaches. Some days I can't handle it. It's just mentally frustrating to try get through everything and not be understood.

Doctors don't want me to be alone with my kids. They don't want me to drive. They don't want me to work, but social security doesn't provide much for our family.

As someone who has pride in his work ethic and wanted to finish school and start a business, it's hard for me to go through everyday life knowing the doctor has told me I can't work. I struggled with finishing school due to my brain injury.

I don't want to be on disability. I don't want government assistance. But this is the reality of what I go through because the doctor is telling me I can't work. If I sneak off and get a job to try to work to pay a bill, they would take the benefit. And if I end up having a seizure I risk losing that job because I have to sit at home for days or be in the emergency room to recover.

My family knows I'm worried, stressed, and battling depression because I don't know how to provide for my kids, or what's going to happen if I die. Is social security going take care of my kids? Am I going to die in front of my kids? What consumes me is the pain of figuring out everyday life.

When it comes to my family, I'm amazed at the support system that I have. There are situations where guys have committed suicide with their family not being aware of what they're really going through, and it's hard for them to get through that. I know my family sees that I'm struggling through pain and these seizures and my depression. It's really important for them to recognize. But it's still a huge struggle for us.

When we were in college, I ran away from my wife because I was so embarrassed by the fact that I had seizures, that I had to drop out of school, that I had memory loss, that there were times when I would use the bathroom and I would pee on myself, or throw up from my headaches. I didn't want her to see me as a weak man. But we fought through it over the last seven years and she stood by my side.

My family is what brings me joy-my stepson Isaiah, my nephew Kendrick, and knowing I'm coming home to three little girls, my daughters, Andria, Ayana, and Nina. I know that if I'm going through anything, they're worried about "Daddy did you have a seizure? Are you ok? Do you need some pain medicine?" And when Nina gets picked up for daycare because they don't want me to be alone with her, Nina just runs in the house straight to me saying "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy." Those moments are my world, my motivation.

I went into motivational speaking because I wanted to reach at-risk youth and kids who grew up in situations like I did. I grew up in a poor, rural community and spent a year and a half in a homeless shelter when my family fell on hard times. But I made it out by working hard at something I loved to earn a college scholarship. I wanted to be able to mentor kids about mental toughness and how to get through things. About taking your health seriously and about taking your life seriously. But life didn't turn out as the dream I wanted it to.

For people who are struggling with these things and for families who have lost their loved one to the struggle with depression, I understand how hard it is for you. I love everybody that is out here fighting and who's out here on the forefront of the situation with concussions and mental health.

I struggle, but every day I wake up happy about being able to see my kids, happy about trying to be a motivational speaker or getting my own community center. I'm a survivor, and I hope my story can help others who may be battling with the same issues.

If you want to reach me, send a message to deontearrington@gmail.com

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As a kid I grew up in a small town of 2,000 black people in Shaw, Mississippi. I appreciate my hometown because it's where I learned about how to get through struggles and how to work hard, but there was no diversity and there were few job opportunities.

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Many athletes that are dedicated to the game that they play, have a very hard time
dealing with concussions. These concussions are becoming career ending and life
long effects on the brain. The professional athletes that are getting paid, should
have more awareness around protection of the brain. “ Gronkowski is only the
latest among a growing number of NFL athletes who have decided to retire while
in their prime”(Doug Most)

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Ann McKee, BU CTE Center director: Pats star's retirement a relief, hopes other players pay attention

New England Patriots fans were sad when Rob Gronkowski announced on Instagram over the weekend that he was retiring from the NFL at age 29.

Ann McKee felt a different emotion. "I was relieved," she says. McKee, a School of Medicine professor of neurology and pathology and director of BU's CTE Center, has been studying the impact of concussions on the brain for over a decade. Her lab, which has grown to nearly 30 people, has almost 700 brains to study, donated by those who have died or their families.

The team's work on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has led to profound discussions about the lasting impact of concussions (and repetitive, low-level hits to the head) on the brain and the dangers of football to both children and adults, and has found that CTE is associated with dementia, mood changes, and aggression and that it particularly afflicts many athletes and soldiers.

So when one of the NFL's biggest stars, a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, decided to hang up his cleats and walk away from the game before turning 30, BU Today asked McKee for her take on it. Gronkowski is only the latest among a growing number of NFL athletes who have decided to retire while in their prime. McKee says she's become close to another, Chris Borland, who retired from the San Francisco 49ers in 2014, after just one stellar year in the league, and has spoken out about his decision and his concern for other players and military veterans who might have CTE.

Although Gronk had suffered a slew of leg, arm, back, and head injuries over the years, including several concussions, his Instagram post still caught fans off guard: "It's time to move forward and move forward with a big smile knowing that the New England Patriots Organization, Pats Nation, and all my fans will be truly a big part of my heart for the rest of my life."

BU Today: Were you surprised when you heard Rob Gronkowski announce he was retiring?

McKee: I was relieved. The hardest thing for me is to follow these players over the years and see them struggle.

What do you make of the decision?

Reading between the lines about Rob Gronkowski, he's had big hits. He's read the headlines. He has said playing football abuses the body and abuses the brain. I'm sure he thinks, these will catch up with me if I don't put an end to it.

I think he's smart player. I know he's a goofball, but he's intelligent. I think he does recognize that the brain is a very precious part of you, and you don't get a second chance with it.

Do you think CTE is now a talking point around the league, that players are openly thinking about it?

Much more than it used to be. With the active players, there was this imaginary curtain-we're not going to go there, not going to look at what might happen. But now I do see players talking about CTE; they mention protecting their brain. And even if they don't discuss CTE amongst themselves, they definitely are aware of it. They're also getting more information from family members. CTE isn't just a personal disease, it affects the whole family. Players talk to their wives, girlfriends, parents, and their level of concern is higher than it used to be.

Gronk isn't even 30. This is not a disease that strikes people only when they're older, is it?

Our lab is almost at 700 brains-670 or 680. We're seeing younger players with more severe CTE as a trend. There's no data yet, but it's just something that we're watching. Players under 30 seem to have more disease than I saw 10 years ago. Is that real? I don't know. But there is no escaping the fact that young players are developing this disease. Smart players like Rob Gronkowski know that stopping playing is the single best way to limit the damage to their brain.

Do you think the NFL is also talking about it enough?

I don't hear much from the league, and when I do, I hear a lot about concussions. They've made rule changes to protect the players from concussions, but I am not seeing fundamental changes to limit the number of low-level hits than can lead to CTE. I definitely don't think the league is doing enough to reduce the subconcussive hits.

Tom Brady is the opposite of Gronk. He has played for almost 20 years.

Anyone who has played at that high level for a long time is at higher risk. I don't think Tom Brady is immune from that risk.

But it does seem like more players are doing what Gronk is doing rather than what Brady is doing, doesn't it?

I know Chris Borland pretty well now. He showed a lot of courage and foresight in retiring when his career was just beginning. Players are more aware there is life after football, and they are talking about their future brain health much more than they used to.

What's next with your lab?

We are looking at genetics as risk factors for CTE. We know there are individual differences that might make a difference in whether you get CTE, like cardiovascular health, cognitive reserve, and educational attainment. The main focus of our work is not just to document who has CTE and who doesn't. Looking into the brain gives us insight into how the disease develops, insight into what are the first changes in the brain, and what we can do early on to detect it and stop it. Our basic mission is to develop ways to intervene and treat this disease. By having a lot of brains to study and distributing samples of brain to other researchers, you accelerate research. And that's the fastest way to get to answers.

The family of Olympic cyclist Kelly Catlin, who died from suicide at age 23, recently donated her brain to your lab. Why was that significant?

We are seeing a big uptick in the number of women's brains donated, which is important because historically we had very few brains from women, and there is some evidence that women may be more prone to concussions and recover more slowly from concussions. We know women get CTE, but we don't know if they are more prone to developing it than men. If they are, it's important for us to understand why.

We're also getting the word out in other sports, ice hockey, soccer, rugby, sports that are more popular worldwide. And we're very interested in domestic abuse, because that can also cause these injuries.

It sounds like the lab's work is growing.

We are definitely expanding, stretching out. We're developing other centers in the United States, starting with Mount Sinai [in New York City]. We want to maintain the momentum that we have built, but we need additional support. We have about 30 people in the lab, and we continue to expand. We're like a major start-up company. It's been really rewarding, but it's also incredibly hard work.

I think as we see more and more scientific advances about CTE, more researchers will be attracted to the field, and that will really speed things up.
Editor's note: The line in the story about repetitive, low-level hits to the head was added for clarity after this was published.

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Gronk Retires. Were Concussions and CTE a Factor? | BU Today | Boston University

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Ann McKee, BU CTE Center director: Pats star's retirement a relief, hopes other players pay attention New England Patriots fans were sad when Rob Gronkowski announced on Instagram over the weekend that he was retiring from the NFL at age 29. Ann McKee felt a different emotion. "I was relieved," she says.

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Once hit at initial impact, the brain goes into auto-control. From here it can be very hard remember information. What cannot be remembered
is jumbled about in the brain while the brain is in autopilot. I believe that beside
the heard the brain controls the body and when it is hurt damaged it goes into
auto-pilot Why does the brain go into auto-pilot when the brain is in shock? “We
all know the feeling of driving home along your daily route and suddenly
realizing you’ve arrived with no real memory of the drive. The skills involved in
driving have become so automatized that you can run the routines unconsciously.
The conscious you – the part that flickered to life when you woke up in the
morning – is no longer the driver, but at best a passenger along for the ride”
(Eagleman).

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This is a very subjective question. Meaning it always depends on who you're asking. Because none of this has yet to be "proven" people will argue forThis is a very subjective question. Meaning it always depends on who you're asking. Because none of this has yet to be "proven" people will argue for whoever's research and theories they agree with. I can give you some of my own personal (and I try really hard to be objective and steer clear of opinions, but that will always have a role so that's just my warning label of sorts, ha) but because this is such a big topic today it'd help if you were more specific... do you mean subconscious mind just basically like how we make decisions, fears, etc or do you want to go deeper meaning the abnormal subconscious mind and/or subconscious mind of trauma, etc. there are so many good out there. If you want recs let me know, but another good way to find is to do a bit of research online and/or going to a book store and looking at several books that deal with your specific questions... I hope this helps! ...more (less)

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This is a very subjective question. Meaning it always depends on who you're asking. Because none of this has yet to be "proven" people will argue forThis is a very subjective question. Meaning it always depends on who you're asking. Because none of this has yet to be "proven" people will argue for whoever's research and theories they agree with.

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Now more than ever concussion victims are finding out what can happen if a
concussion is not treated under protocol. I am far from the ladder stage of life, but I can feel the effects of past concussions that still affect me. Paul Hornung Sues the Helmet Maker Riddell Over Concussions.”

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Paul Hornung of the Green Bay Packers carrying the ball in a squad game in August 1959. Credit Credit Associated Press

Paul Hornung, the Hall of Fame running back with the Green Bay Packers, has sued Riddell, asserting that the company knew of the dangers of brain trauma more than 50 years ago but failed to warn him and other players that their helmets would do nothing to prevent concussions.

The lawsuit, which seeks damages of at least $50,000, is the latest legal challenge against Riddell, the biggest sports helmet manufacturer in the country. Riddell is a co-defendant with the N.F.L. in a class-action lawsuit filed by thousands of former football players who accused the company and the league of hiding the dangers of concussions from them.

In that case, Riddell was able to separate its claims from the N.F.L., which has agreed to a settlement that could pay hundreds of millions of dollars to players with severe neurological disorders. Once that case is fully resolved - it still may be appealed - the federal judge overseeing it, Anita B. Brody, will return to the question of whether the players have a legitimate claim against Riddell.

Hornung, though, sued only Riddell, so that his case would not be lumped together with the class-action suit, which is being heard in Philadelphia.

In his complaint, filed in state court in Illinois, Hornung claims that Riddell should have warned players that its plastic helmets, while helping to prevent skull fractures, "provided no protection" against brain trauma, including concussions.

"Prior to, during and after Paul Hornung's N.F.L. football career, Riddell knew of the harmful long-term effects of brain traumas sustained by football players while wearing Riddell's supposed protective equipment; however, it misrepresented and concealed these facts from Paul Hornung," the complaint said.

Erin Griffin, a spokeswoman for the company, said that Riddell was not aware of Hornung's lawsuit and that it did not comment on continuing litigation.

Hornung, 80, sustained concussions and subconcussive hits during his career, which lasted from 1957 to 1966. In college, at Notre Dame, he wore a leather helmet without a face mask. It was only when he made it to the N.F.L. that he wore a plastic helmet with a face mask.

Hornung's lawyers said that players were led to believe the plastic helmet would offer more protection, which emboldened them to take risks they never would have taken with leather helmets.

"Riddell made promises to everyone that wore that helmet, and the evidence will show that they built an industry based on the safety of the device, analogous to filters on cigarettes," said Brad Sohn, one of the lawyers representing Hornung. "People relied on them to make the game safer, when in fact it made it more dangerous."

A version of this article appears in print on , on Page B14 of the New York edition with the headline: Hall of Famer Hornung Sues Helmet Maker. Order Reprints | Today's Paper | Subscribe

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Paul Hornung Sues the Helmet Maker Riddell Over Concussions

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Paul Hornung, the Hall of Fame running back with the Green Bay Packers, has sued Riddell, asserting that the company knew of the dangers of brain trauma more than 50 years ago but failed to warn him and other players that their helmets would do nothing to prevent concussions.