Bob Probert- The Enforcer

Unlike most athletes discussed on this blog, Bob Probert was not one that relied on skill or finesse during his hockey career. Probert was an enforcer; and he did a good job of doing it, winning most of his 246 fights on the ice. After 16 seasons in the NHL with Detroit and Chicago, his 3,300 penalty minutes make him fifth on the league’s career list. Similar to other NHL enforcers, Probert suffered from alcohol and cocaine addictions during his career. Probert died of heart failure at the age of 45.

After examining Probert’s brain tissue, researchers at Boston University said that he suffered from degenerative brain disease - Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). This disease was also present in more than 20 deceased professional football players, which led to the NFL changing rules and policies in an effort to limit head injuries.

Although the NHL is trying to reduce hits to the head in hockey, they are still allowing players to fight. This puts enforcers in a dangerous position, due to possible brain diseases caused by fighting. The NHL will eventually have to ban fighting, if more enforcers continue to suffer from depression, brain diseases and alcohol and substance dependencies. The death of Probert has raised concussion awareness in the sport, and will continue to be monitored in order to ensure the safety of players.

Wasted Talent- Pat Lafontaine

Pat Lafontaine was widely known as one of the best American born players to ever play in the NHL. However, after suffering six concussions in seven seasons, he was forced to cut his career short in 1998. Lafontaine celebrated 468 goals and 545 assists in 15 NHL seasons with the New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, and New York Rangers, on his way to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

 At 5 foot 10, and 180 pounds; Lafontaine was able to dazzle with his amazing puck handling and scoring abilities. Even though he was immensely talented, he could not overcome the dreaded post-concussion syndrome. Lafontaine career was tragically cut short, as the talented center could have posted even more impressive numbers; had he not suffered numerous concussions.

He believes that once you get to a certain point with head injuries there is no turning back; which is why most players are cut short because of them. A muscular tear or sprain can heal with time; however, the human brain is a complex organ that sometimes takes years to recover from- if that. Lafontaine is making a large impact off the ice through his Companions in Courage Foundation, which helps children and their families overcome life-threatening obstacles. Lafontaine’s advice to young hockey players is to not come back too early from any concussion. Concussions are easily aggravated and can persist if athletes return to the ice without being fully recovered.

Lafontaine was first diagnosed with concussions after a vicious hit from Francois Leroux. Doctors advised Lafontaine not to return, but he did and was never the same player. Lafontaine finds it ironic that even 13 years after he was hit, there are a lot of similar situations left in the game. Hockey needs to be made safer and better for players, in order to ensure long and healthy careers and lives.

Keith Primeau

 

Keith Primeau was another NHL power forward whose career was affected by concussions. Primeau was a two time All Star in the NHL, and scored 266 goals with 353 assists from 1990-2005. Primeau suffered four documented concussions in the NHL, the last of which forced his early retirement.  

Primeau is actively involved in raising concussion awareness, through his website stopconcussions.com, along with former European pro Kerry Goulet. They also have a book called "Concussed! Sports-related Head Injuries: Prevention, Coping and Real Stories," which was recently released. He is also appearing in the concussion documentary, called “head games”.

 

Even after being seven years removed from pro hockey, Primeau still has headaches daily. He realizes that the stuggles he has gone through mentally and physically would be too hard to overcome in order to make a comeback to hockey. Similar to Eric Lindros, the more concussions Primeau suffered from, the harder they became to recover from. Recovery wasn't the only issue, as the post-concussion symptoms increased, making it harder for him to complete daily tasks without pain. He was unable to work out for years due to headaches and dizziness, but has recently been able to do so.

 

 Primeau has reached out to other players suffering from symptoms similar to his. He has found some comfort in being able to help guide others through his tough ordeal. Keith Primeau wants the NHL to take further steps in order to help limit concussions in hockey. He will continue to raise awareness by sharing his experiences, and become an inspiration to players who are affected by concussions.

 

The Case of George Visger

George Visger, former NFL offensive lineman has lived the last 20 years of his life in a post-concussion daze. Visger uses hundreds of small notebooks in order to remember the minutiae of his daily life. He is unable to remember where he lives, or even the closest coffee shop. His notebooks are his only source of memory, and if it isn’t written down it doesn’t exist to him.

Visger’s memory started to fade in 1982 due to a bone crushing hit that led to a concussion. His career was very brief because of this injury. After the hit, Visger went into a coma that would have led most men to death. The injury itself can also be identified with a life-time of using his head to make hits. He is just one of several former NFL players suffering from depression, memory loss, and sudden bouts of rage. Experts and doctors alike all believe that the source of the symptoms described above are from concussions. Visger believes that he had been suffering from concussions since childhood football, although they were never identified. Even though the medical community has become more educated in concussions, there are still many mysteries in this field.

Scientists have spent years explaining concussion symptoms, by examining athletes brains after they die. Visger believes he is getting worse from year to year and fears that his fate will be that of other concussed athletes. Many before Visger suffer from brain damage, or even deep depression that has led to suicide. Visger believes that the fish oil supplement he was prescribed to take has had some success in controlling his depression. George Visger wants to find some kind of resolution for his concussion symptoms, before it affects the relationship he has with his wife and children.