Struggling with the Ethics of Loving Football Amidst CTE Concerns

Sundays in autumn bring one thing for many sports enthusiasts: football season. As a dedicated fan of the New York Giants, I'm excited to watch emerging talents like quarterback Jaxson Dart and wide receiver Malik Nabers this year. After years of disappointment, there's a flicker of hope for Giants supporters.

Yet, alongside my excitement lies an unsettling truth: many of the players I admire will suffer long-term consequences, including dementia, and some may tragically take their own lives. This duality prompts a question that weighs on my conscience: Am I a hypocrite for reveling in a sport that carries such dangers?

Recent research from the British Medical Journal reveals that nearly 25% of former football players who passed away between 2016 and 2021 showed signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repetitive head trauma. This study's reliance on donated brains suggests the actual prevalence of CTE could be even higher.

While the findings are alarming, I can't say I was surprised. Having been aware of CTE for around two decades, I even co-authored a book with sports agent Leigh Steinberg, who famously described concussion risks in football as a “ticking time bomb.” Despite this knowledge, I still cheer enthusiastically when my team makes a big play.

What's changed for me? Perhaps, as I approach my 70th birthday, I'm beginning to grasp the game's costs more profoundly—both in the context of sports and broader life experiences.

Seeking Perspectives from Football Insiders

To explore these feelings, I reached out to those intimately involved in the sport. My first conversation was with Bill Courtney, a high school football coach in Memphis and a friend, with whom I collaborated on the Academy Award-winning documentary “Undefeated.”

Courtney, now 58, shared his concerns: "I've learned that the game, as it's played today, can kill people." He recognizes how his experiences as a player shaped his current success, running a lumber business alongside coaching. However, he also sees room for safety improvements, suggesting that kids should refrain from using helmets and shoulder pads until sixth grade and that major changes to tackling techniques could begin in junior high. He proposes strict penalties for dangerous tackles as well.

His suggestions seem sensible, yet implementing such strategies would require immense commitment and collective effort from coaches nationwide. Even with changes, any impact wouldn't be appreciated at the professional level for years to come.

Reflections from Former Players

I also spoke with Everson Walls, a former defensive back who played for the Giants, Cowboys, and Browns. At 66, he echoed my feelings of hypocrisy, admitting, "Football is a big part of who I am." Though he was relatively unaware of the health risks when he played in the 1980s and '90s, he believes he would still choose the same path. "When you discover your talent," he said, "you accept the risks." Concern about dementia lingers in his mind; he noted that even his wife is often wary.

Finally, I turned to Leigh Steinberg again to discuss his own conflicts with football ethics. He conveyed similar sentiments, expressing, "I wrestled with this issue." Yet, he believes advocating for player safety from within the system is more constructive than abandoning the sport entirely. He reassured me that players today are increasingly aware of the risks, adding, "They would resent a backlash against the game due to its hazards." He highlighted improvements made in addressing concussion protocols but reminded me, "At the end of the day, it's a collision sport. There's a traffic accident on every play."

Confronting a Complex Dilemma

After these enlightening conversations, I find myself grappling with the same internal conflict as before—rooting passionately for the Giants while feeling troubled about the physical toll the sport inflicts on its players. There's a paradox here that’s hard to ignore.

As I engage with the game this season, the challenge remains: how can I enjoy something that carries the potential for such profound hardship? While the excitement of football continues to draw me in, it's imperative to acknowledge and address the very real implications of chronic injuries and CTE on the lives of these athletes.

Michael Arkush has written or co-written 18 books, including New York Times best-sellers with Phil Jackson, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Scottie Pippen.

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