Let’s start with the science. Brain tests confirm Junior Seau suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Common symptoms are depression, mood swings, insomnia and forgetfulness. He had them during his final years. Gary Plummer, Seau’s former teammate estimates Seau suffered approximately 1500 concussions in his career with the NFL, although there was never an injury report of a concussion filed.
This is not uncommon. Concussions often, if not usually go unreported. As an injury attorney I’ve dealt with cases ranging from mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) to very severe life-changing brain injury cases. A problem is that concussions or mild traumatic rain injury cases are often not recognized in emergency rooms and not recognized by many primary care physicians.
Only recently, partly due to lawsuits brought by many former NFL players, has there been an increase in awareness by the public, school officials and doctors. Separate from cognitive deficits, there can be learning deficits, personality changes and other problems caused by traumatic brain injury. 4000 former NFL players have filed about 190 suits against the National Football League, alleging the NFL knowingly failed to protect players from concussions or warn them of the potential long-term effects. Many of the players suffered depression and early dementia. Stay tuned – a greater understanding of brain injury may occur as a result of the players’ lawsuits .
