Keenan: Unravelling hits to the head
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The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has confirmed that specialized tests will be conducted. Pathologists will slice up Tamura's brain, looking for an abnormal buildup of a protein called phosphorylated tau. The results could take weeks or even months.
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As of now, the only evidence that he had CTE comes from reports from high school classmates, including one who said Tamura took some 'big hits' on the field. In an interview with The Independent, teammate Tobenna Okunna recalled that Tamura 'had occasional moments of looking 'empty,' or spaced-out.'
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Although the gunman never played in the NFL, the letter found in his wallet accused the league of concealing the dangers to players' brains. 'Study my brain for CTE,' he pleaded after carefully shooting himself in the chest to preserve his brain tissue. He charged that 'the league (NFL) knowingly concealed the dangers to our brains to maximize profits. They failed us.'
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In 2016 Congressional testimony, Jeff Miller, the NFL's senior vice-president for health and safety, acknowledged a link between football head injuries and CTE. The league has paid out more than $1.4 billion to retired players to settle claims. Still, watching Monday Night Football demonstrates that head injuries still occur in professional football. According to an NFL press release, there were 182 concussions during games and practices in the 2024 season, a drop of 17 per cent from 2023.
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The league attributes this improvement to better helmet technology as well as the mandatory use of Guardian Caps for certain high-risk positions during training camp and practices. These foam-padded helmet covers are designed to reduce the impact of head collisions. I guess they look too silly for televised regular games, but they do appear to significantly reduce injuries.
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As for Canada, the federal government introduced the Canadian Safe Sport Program (CSSP) in April 2025. It mandates an e-course called Safe Sport 2025 for athletes, coaches and staff. The program has some teeth, because failure to comply can result in a loss of funding.
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The government also funded the Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport. It is available on parachute.ca, the website of the non-profit that is most active in concussion education and prevention in Canada. According to them, 'Any blow to the head, face, or neck, or a blow to the body that jars your head, could cause a concussion.'
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Calgary Herald
09-08-2025
- Calgary Herald
Keenan: Unravelling hits to the head
The recent mass shooting in Midtown Manhattan has catapulted chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) into the headlines. In a suicide note, shooter Shane Tamura claimed that he was suffering from this degenerative brain disease from playing high school football in California. Article content The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has confirmed that specialized tests will be conducted. Pathologists will slice up Tamura's brain, looking for an abnormal buildup of a protein called phosphorylated tau. The results could take weeks or even months. Article content Article content Article content As of now, the only evidence that he had CTE comes from reports from high school classmates, including one who said Tamura took some 'big hits' on the field. In an interview with The Independent, teammate Tobenna Okunna recalled that Tamura 'had occasional moments of looking 'empty,' or spaced-out.' Article content Article content Although the gunman never played in the NFL, the letter found in his wallet accused the league of concealing the dangers to players' brains. 'Study my brain for CTE,' he pleaded after carefully shooting himself in the chest to preserve his brain tissue. He charged that 'the league (NFL) knowingly concealed the dangers to our brains to maximize profits. They failed us.' Article content In 2016 Congressional testimony, Jeff Miller, the NFL's senior vice-president for health and safety, acknowledged a link between football head injuries and CTE. The league has paid out more than $1.4 billion to retired players to settle claims. Still, watching Monday Night Football demonstrates that head injuries still occur in professional football. According to an NFL press release, there were 182 concussions during games and practices in the 2024 season, a drop of 17 per cent from 2023. Article content Article content The league attributes this improvement to better helmet technology as well as the mandatory use of Guardian Caps for certain high-risk positions during training camp and practices. These foam-padded helmet covers are designed to reduce the impact of head collisions. I guess they look too silly for televised regular games, but they do appear to significantly reduce injuries. Article content As for Canada, the federal government introduced the Canadian Safe Sport Program (CSSP) in April 2025. It mandates an e-course called Safe Sport 2025 for athletes, coaches and staff. The program has some teeth, because failure to comply can result in a loss of funding. Article content The government also funded the Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport. It is available on the website of the non-profit that is most active in concussion education and prevention in Canada. According to them, 'Any blow to the head, face, or neck, or a blow to the body that jars your head, could cause a concussion.'
Edmonton Journal
09-08-2025
- Edmonton Journal
Keenan: Unravelling hits to the head
The recent mass shooting in Midtown Manhattan has catapulted chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) into the headlines. In a suicide note, shooter Shane Tamura claimed that he was suffering from this degenerative brain disease from playing high school football in California. Article content The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has confirmed that specialized tests will be conducted. Pathologists will slice up Tamura's brain, looking for an abnormal buildup of a protein called phosphorylated tau. The results could take weeks or even months. Article content Article content Article content As of now, the only evidence that he had CTE comes from reports from high school classmates, including one who said Tamura took some 'big hits' on the field. In an interview with The Independent, teammate Tobenna Okunna recalled that Tamura 'had occasional moments of looking 'empty,' or spaced-out.' Article content Article content Although the gunman never played in the NFL, the letter found in his wallet accused the league of concealing the dangers to players' brains. 'Study my brain for CTE,' he pleaded after carefully shooting himself in the chest to preserve his brain tissue. He charged that 'the league (NFL) knowingly concealed the dangers to our brains to maximize profits. They failed us.' Article content In 2016 Congressional testimony, Jeff Miller, the NFL's senior vice-president for health and safety, acknowledged a link between football head injuries and CTE. The league has paid out more than $1.4 billion to retired players to settle claims. Still, watching Monday Night Football demonstrates that head injuries still occur in professional football. According to an NFL press release, there were 182 concussions during games and practices in the 2024 season, a drop of 17 per cent from 2023. Article content Article content The league attributes this improvement to better helmet technology as well as the mandatory use of Guardian Caps for certain high-risk positions during training camp and practices. These foam-padded helmet covers are designed to reduce the impact of head collisions. I guess they look too silly for televised regular games, but they do appear to significantly reduce injuries. Article content As for Canada, the federal government introduced the Canadian Safe Sport Program (CSSP) in April 2025. It mandates an e-course called Safe Sport 2025 for athletes, coaches and staff. The program has some teeth, because failure to comply can result in a loss of funding. Article content The government also funded the Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport. It is available on the website of the non-profit that is most active in concussion education and prevention in Canada. According to them, 'Any blow to the head, face, or neck, or a blow to the body that jars your head, could cause a concussion.'
National Post
07-08-2025
- National Post
NFLPA confirms to players that the use of smelling salts is not banned
The NFL Players Association confirmed to players Wednesday that the NFL's new policy on smelling salts only prohibits teams from providing them to players on game days. The measure does not ban players from using them, the union clarified. Article content 'The NFL Players Association is aware of the memo issued by the league Tuesday regarding the use of smelling salts and ammonia capsules,' the NFLPA wrote in its memo, a copy of which was obtained by The Washington Post. 'We were not notified of this club policy change before the memo was sent out. To clarify, this policy does not prohibit player use of these substances, but rather it restricts clubs from providing or supplying them in any form. The NFL has confirmed this to us. If you have any questions, please reach out to your player director.' Article content Article content Article content The NFL informed teams Tuesday that they are prohibited from supplying ammonia capsules or any form of smelling salts to players on game days. However, a ban on use by players would have to be negotiated with the union. Article content The league's memo to teams, a copy of which The Post obtained Tuesday, noted that last year the Food and Drug Administration 'issued a warning to companies that produce commercially available ammonia inhalants (AIs), as well as to consumers about the purchase and use of AIs, regarding the lack of evidence supporting the safety or efficacy of AIs marketed for improving mental alertness or boosting energy. The FDA noted potential negative effects from AI use. AIs also have the potential to mask certain neurologic signs and symptoms, including some potential signs of concussion.' Article content That FDA warning led the NFL's head, neck and spine committee to recommend a prohibition on the use of ammonia inhalants 'for any purpose during play in the NFL,' according to the memo. Article content Article content 'In light of this information, effective for the 2025 NFL season, clubs are prohibited from providing or supplying ammonia in any form at NFL games,' the league said. 'For clarity, 'ammonia' refers to ammonia capsules, inhalers, ammonia in a cup, and any form of 'smelling salts.'' Article content The NFL told teams that the prohibition 'applies to all club personnel (including but not limited to team physicians, athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coaches and coaches or other personnel)' and will be in effect 'through the entirety of all NFL games, including during all pregame activities, and halftime, and applies on the sideline and in stadium locker rooms.' Article content San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle walked onto the NFL Network set at the team's training camp Tuesday to 'air a grievance,' he said. Article content 'Our team got a memo today that smelling salts and ammonia packets were made illegal in the NFL,' Kittle said, adding that he uses them on every offensive drive, 'and I've been distraught all day. … I considered retirement. … So we've got to figure out a middle ground here, guys. Somebody help me out. Somebody come up with a good idea.'
