TBI: Football greats speak out

This morning, one of our attorneys was in court with a parent whose child suffered a TBI, Traumatic Brian Injury.  TBI is a serious problem in our country.  Recently, well-known football players have been speaking out about TBI.  Thomas Jones, a retired running back who played for five teams in 12 NFL seasons, has decided to donate his brain upon his death to the Sports Legacy Institute to be studied for evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Jones said he has no idea how many concussions he sustained, but that he’s concerned with what they could mean for his future.  “Honestly, like I couldn’t give you a number because you just play with them,” Jones said. “You can’t know; nobody does. I think the guys counting the concussions were the ones that got knocked out.”  The Sports Legacy Institute won’t confirm individual donations, but a spokesperson said that more than 600 living athletes have decided to donate their brains to be studied. Of 34 neural tissue samples from NFL players, 33 had evidence of CTE. Jones said he can only guess at what has happened to his brain after 20 years of games and practices — and numerous “baby concussions” — through his NFL, college and high school career.

Jones is in the editing process of a documentary series, “The NFL: The Gift or the Curse?” The first of six planned episodes, produced by Jones’ company Independently Major Entertainment Films, deals with concussions and suicide.