Fiedorowicz is retiring

[spliff45]

Due to the number of concussions he's had.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/22775117/houston-texans-te-cj-fiedorowicz-retiring-concussions

 

[Hawkfnntn]

Dang and he'd just signed a phat extension last yr just before he got dinged last. Hope he saved up what he'd made previously.

 

[HuckFinn]

His health is the important thing, of course. And, in retirement, I doubt that he will have trouble finding grocery money.

 

[Fryowa]

Super smart move.

Ask Jim McMahon or Bernie Kosar if they'd give up every penny of their career earnings to get their brains back.

 

[okeefe4prez]

Super smart move.

Ask Jim McMahon or Bernie Kosar if they'd give up every penny of their career earnings to get their brains back.

Bernie's dad absconded with his money so Bernie couldn't come up with the funds to take that deal. The interviews with Keith McCants and Bernie Kosar in that ESPN show Broke were just absolutely heartbreaking, but the wisdom those guys have is remarkable.

 

[mrolympia]

when it comes to this, can't be too cautious

 

[Fryowa]

The worst part about this whole thing is that with three concussions in less than a calendar year he’s most likely already going to have some permanent damage show up at some point. Being an NFLer I’d have a hard time believing he didn’t have at least two or three before that.

 

[uihawk82]

The worst part about this whole thing is that with three concussions in less than a calendar year he’s most likely already going to have some permanent damage show up at some point. Being an NFLer I’d have a hard time believing he didn’t have at least two or three before that.

We cant say 'most likely' with any of this as it pertains to an individual. Collectively as a group we can say with a higher confidence level that some people randomly will likely have a problem. There just is not enough known about what could be the many variables in CTE and a whole range of brain related activities. It is amazing the progress that is being made mapping areas of the brain using MRI, scans, etc to find where injuries act, how various drugs good and bad decrease and increase brain mass in different areas.

But this definitely seems like a smart move by CJFed and I wish him the best. And it is terrible when family, agents, and friends steal money from these players or really anybody. Unfortunately it happens way too often.

 

[SmokeTownHawk]

I remember reading about Reggie Roby getting quite a sum of money taken from him either by a relative or skimmed off by an agent. As for The Polish Hat I wish him all the best in his future. Sounds like getting out was a smart move.

 

[CP87]

The worst part about this whole thing is that with three concussions in less than a calendar year he’s most likely already going to have some permanent damage show up at some point. Being an NFLer I’d have a hard time believing he didn’t have at least two or three before that.

With the data so far, # of concussions does not seem to correlate with risk of CTE. The strongest correlate is the total time spent playing football, whether concussions were suffered along the way or not.

That said, CTE is only one type of dementia, and the concussions could certainly impact other types.

On a slightly related note, anyone see anything about the Dave Duerson Act in Illinois? I think one of the best bets to "save football" from the spectre of long-term brain damage is to shorten the amount of time people play. Put pads on them later, shorten seasons, limit contact in practice, etc.. I think that, combined with more players looking to retire early, will have more impact than any changes in equipment or rules.