Paul Kariya gets Crunched

After suffering numerous hits in the NHL, Paul Kariya was forced to retire following the 2010-2011 with post-concussion symptoms. Kariya retired after 15 seasons in the NHL as a point per game player. While Kariya has accomplished great things as an undersized hockey player, he will always be remembered for the injuries he suffered during his career. Kariya suffered numerous concussions in his career; as well as, two brain injuries from 1996 to 1998 from dirty hits.

Kariya was selected third overall by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, during the 1993 NHL Draft. He scored more than 50 goals during the 1995-1996 season, and scored more than 40 on two other occasions. Kariya will always be remembered as the captain of the Ducks and the face of that franchise for over nine seasons.

A player that dazzled many with his natural talent and faster than light speed, Kariya registered 989 points in 989 NHL games. All the speed in the world couldn’t prevent Kariya from connecting with Scott Stevens during the 2002-2003 Stanley Cup Finals. Kariya was flattened by Stevens in open ice, leading him to lay on the ice motionless for several minutes before being assisted off by the training and coaching staff. After leaving Anaheim to play for Colorado, St. Louis, and Nashville Kariya’s career was never the same. While Kariya is finally symptom free after 15 years in the NHL, he is still a strong advocate for concussion awareness. Kariya believes that players suffering concussions should re-habilitate themselves fully before returning to the ice. A player with amazing skill, and blazing speed was never the same after suffering this injury, showing readers how serious concussions can be.

 

 

Scott Stevens- Concussion Causer

After a career of successfully dealing concussions to his opponents, Scott Stevens was forced to retire after suffering post-concussion syndrome. Stevens was hit in the head by a puck during the 2003 NHL playoffs, en route to his third Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils. Scott Stevens’ impact on the NHL can simply be defined by his ability to destroy opponents through bone rattling hits (just ask Paul Kariya or Eric Lindros). To the surprise of few, Stevens originally wanted to become a football player. However, Stevens fell in love with the game of hockey which led him to becoming great NHL defensemen. Even though Stevens’ career was ended by a concussion, his impact on the game will always be for providing concussions.

During the 1999-2000 Eastern Conference Final series with the Philadelphia Flyers, Stevens would send Eric Lindros to the doctor with a levelling hit. Lindros was never the same after suffering this hit, leading to his decline. Although this hit was clean; it was a reminder to many, that any player was one hit away from being concussed at the hands of Scott Stevens (or should I say shoulder).

Controversy struck Stevens once again during the 2002-2003 Stanley Cup Finals series with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Stevens would destroy Paul Kariya with a menacing hit that would knock him out cold. However, Kariya would return and finish the game leaving Stevens unpunished for what could be viewed as a dirty hit. Even though Kariya finished the game, similar to Lindros his career was never the same after being hit by Stevens.

 

Junior Seau- Hit Hard

A team of scientists, who analyzed the brain of NFL linebacker Junior Seau, have concluded that he most likely suffered from a brain disease caused by two decades worth of hits to the head. Junior Seau was a monster middle linebacker during his NFL career, racking up 1184 tackles, as a 10 time all-pro, 12 time Pro Bowler, and named to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. Seau was known as a passionate defender, dealing numerous punishing blows to his opponents on the field. Seau was the star of the San Diego Chargers defense for 13 seasons before playing for the Miami Dolphins, and New England Patriots. Seau retired after the 2009 NFL season without winning the vaunted Super Bowl Ring that he so desired.

In May 2012, Seau shot himself in the chest at the age of 43, leaving his four children puzzled. Seau's family donated his brain to neuroscientists at the National Institutes for Health who are conducting ongoing research on traumatic brain injury and football players. Similar to Bob Probert, Seau suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative disease caused by multiple hits to the head. One side effect of this disease is patients feeling deep depression that can lead to suicide. Unfortunately for Seau, the numerous concussions and hits the head he suffered as a warrior on the football field lead to his premature death. Junior Seau’s ex-teammate said that he suffered 1500 concussions. A case such as Seau’s raises much concussion awareness, due to the severity involved when ex athletes lives are at stake.

Aikman Hangs Up His Cleats

Troy Aikman hung up his cleats after nearly 12 years as the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys. After celebrating an illustrious career as a three time Super Bowl Champion, Aikman was forced to retire due to concussion issues. After being released by America’s Team near the end of his career, other teams weren’t willing to take a risk on Aikman due to various doubts surrounding his health. The fact that no team would take a risk on Aikman speaks volumes, considering the amount of talent he possessed as an NFL quarterback.

 Known as one of the most clutch and accurate quarterbacks in the history of football, Aikman ended his career with 2,898 completions on 4,715 pass attempts for 32,942 yards, and 165 touchdown passes. Troy will always be known as the leader of the great Cowboys teams of the late 80s and 90s.

Aikman suffered a variety of injuries in his career which also included as much as 10 concussions. Due to the severity of the concussions he suffered, Aikman said he would never encourage his son to play football. Even though Aikman suffered vicious head shots that have knocked him out cold, he currently has no post-concussion symptoms. Aikman is 46, completely healthy, and lives an active lifestyle. Aikman is one of the few athletes who can celebrate a clean bill of health after suffering various concussions.

The Chris Benoit Tragedy

Doctors have pointed to the fact that Chris Benoit’s tragic death can be attributed to years of concussions. These concussions led to premature dimension, causing Benoit to kill wife and son before killing himself. Doctors stated that Benoit had “shocking” brain damage, due to tests showing Benoit’s brain was so damaged from concussions from wrestling that it was similar to Alzheimer patients.

 Benoit spent a majority of his life in the ring as a professional wrestler, most notably with the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) from 2000-2007. Benoit celebrated much success as a wrestler winning the WWE and WCW World Championships during his illustrious career. Also known as the Canadian Crippler, Benoit’s success was attributed to his skill within the ring rather than his persona. With high flying moves like the diving head-but, and vicious submissions like the sharpshooter and crippler cross face, Benoit became a fan favourite. Chris Benoit was always known a kind and caring person, which led many to surprise after hearing of the murder-suicide.

The wrestler’s father, told reporters he agreed to brain testing due to the murder-suicide being out of character for his son. Later after the killings, he discovered a diary written by his son, indicating he was extremely disturbed at the time.

The human brain is not built to withstand the blows to the head from tables and chairs that professional wrestling provides. The level of brain damage Benoit had was most likely the cause of his depression and irrational behaviour. Benoit’s brain showed the same kind of damage effecting former football players who also committed suicide. In Benoit’s case concussions not only stole his career, but his life and families as well. This case should raise awareness to the danger and severity of concussions if they are not noticed and treated effectively.

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