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.

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.