League of Denial Quiz Week 5

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Questions and Answers

What is a concussion?

A type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth.

Who was Mike Webster?

He was a strong defensive player for the Pittsburgh Steelers; 'Iron Mike'.

What happened to Mike Webster after he retired?

He had a lot of health problems (heart, suspected Alzheimer's, etc.) and died at the age of 50.

Who are Steve Fainaru and Mark Fainaru-Wada?

Brothers, investigative reporters, investigating how the NFL has handled evidence that football may be destroying the brains of NFL players. Signup and view all the answers

What other sports story did Mark Fainaru-Wada cover?

Barry Bonds' steroid story. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of player was Mike Webster?

He was an aggressive player, did anything he could to prove he was the best player. Signup and view all the answers

What was Mike Webster's favorite 'weapon' in the trench warfare of an NFL line?

His head. Signup and view all the answers

How often and how hard do players hit each other's heads in a year?

1,000-1,500 times a year, 20 g-force or more. Signup and view all the answers

What symptoms of traumatic brain injury did Webster show after retirement?

Angry, no patience or stamina, confused, couldn't keep thoughts in order, outbursts of rage. Signup and view all the answers

What did Mike Webster do with his teeth?

Super glue them back into his mouth when they fell out. Signup and view all the answers

What is Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)?

A disease of progressive neurodegeneration where the end stage leaves a protein deposition in distinctive areas of the brain. Signup and view all the answers

Is there a cure for CTE?

False Signup and view all the answers

What is a tau protein?

Proteins that stabilize microtubules and are abundant in neurons of the central nervous system. Signup and view all the answers

What diseases are associated with excess tau proteins?

Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Signup and view all the answers

When did 'Monday Night Football' begin?

<ol start="1970"> <li></li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Does the NFL market violence? If so, how?

Yes, the logo for Monday Night Football featured two helmets crashing together. Signup and view all the answers

What are Troy Aikman's 'memories' of concussions?

He is confused and doesn't know why he's in the hospital. Signup and view all the answers

How did the NFL respond as concerns over concussions grew?

Created MTBI, backed by someone who didn't think concussions were a big problem. Signup and view all the answers

What problems developed immediately as the NFL began to research concussions?

They started 'studies' on concussions, developed their MTBI. Signup and view all the answers

Who did the NFL choose to lead their studies on concussions?

Dr. Elliot Pellman. Signup and view all the answers

What did the initial NFL committee on concussions conclude?

That concussions in football didn't cause brain problems later in life. Signup and view all the answers

How were the NFL studies fundamentally flawed?

They downplayed the risk of concussions and denied long-term problems. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Dr. Bennett Omalu?

He is a neuropathologist who examined Mike Webster's brain tissue and found CTE. Signup and view all the answers

How does CTE alter behavior?

Aggression, depression, memory loss, confusion, dementia. Signup and view all the answers

How did the NFL react when Dr. Omalu tried to tell them about his discoveries?

They said he should retract his findings. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Concussions and Their Impact

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, leading to rapid movement of the brain within the skull.
Concussions can result in severe physical and cognitive impairments.

Mike Webster

Known as "Iron Mike," he was a strong defensive player for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
After retiring at the age of 50, Webster faced numerous health problems including heart issues and suspected Alzheimer's disease.

Investigation into NFL Practices

Investigative reporters Steve Fainaru and Mark Fainaru-Wada are looking into the NFL's handling of evidence regarding brain injuries in players.
Mark Fainaru-Wada previously covered the steroid controversy involving baseball player Barry Bonds.

Mike Webster's Playing Style

Webster was an aggressive player who pushed himself to be the best in the league.
His choice of "weapon" in on-field conflicts was his head, emphasizing the brutal nature of the sport.

Injury Statistics

Players hit each other’s heads approximately 1,000-1,500 times a year, each impact comparable to driving a car into a brick wall at 30 mph (20 g-force).

Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury

Post-retirement, Webster displayed symptoms such as anger, confusion, inability to organize thoughts, and rage outbursts.
He resorted to super gluing his teeth back when they fell out.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

CTE is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by tau protein deposits in the brain.
There is currently no cure for CTE.

Tau Proteins and Associated Diseases

Tau proteins are essential for stabilizing microtubules in neurons, with excess production linked to diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Popularity of "Monday Night Football"

Launched in 1970, "Monday Night Football" capitalized on societal trends towards violence and instant gratification, turning the game into an entertainment spectacle.

NFL's Marketing of Violence

The NFL has been known to market violence, evident in the logo for "Monday Night Football" which depicted crashing helmets.

Troy Aikman's Experiences with Concussions

Aikman recounted disorienting memories post-concussion, struggling to remember basic details about the game and hospital visit.

NFL's Initial Response to Concussion Concerns

The NFL created the MTBI under Dr. Elliot Pellman, who downplayed the seriousness of concussions as a health issue.

Flawed Research Studies

Initial studies minimized the risks of concussions, wrongly suggesting players could return to play immediately following a concussion without long-term consequences.

Dr. Bennett Omalu’s Findings

Neuropathologist Dr. Omalu discovered CTE in Mike Webster's brain tissue, highlighting the dangers of repeated concussions.

Behavioral Changes Due to CTE

CTE can lead to behavioral changes such as aggression, depression, memory loss, confusion, and dementia, all seen in Webster towards the end of his life.

NFL's Reaction to Discoveries on CTE

The NFL pressured Dr. Omalu to retract his findings regarding CTE, indicating resistance to acknowledging the severity of brain injuries in football.

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Description

Test your knowledge on concussions and their impact from the League of Denial study material. This quiz covers key figures and concepts related to traumatic brain injuries, especially in sports. Challenge yourself with important information about Mike Webster and the nature of concussions.