Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


5

NFL Stars Donate Brains to Science

After death, players' brains will be used to help research into concussion injuries

Share

(Newser) – Three NFL players have agreed to donate their brains after they die to help scientists better understand sports brain injuries, HealthDay reports. Matt Birk of the Baltimore Ravens, Lofa Tatupu of the Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals' Sean Morey are the first active NFL players to join the brain donation registry at Boston University School of Medicine. University scientists are studying the link between sports brain injuries and dementia.

Over 150 former athletes, including 40 retired NFL players, have already pledged their brains and spinal cord tissue to the program studying Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. "CTE is the only fully preventable cause of dementia," said a professor of neurosurgery. By studying large numbers of athletes throughout their careers and examining their brains after death, researchers hope to learn more about CTE and devise strategies to prevent it, he said.

NFL players Matt Birk, left, of the Baltimore Ravens, Lofa Tatupu of the Seattle Seahawks, and Sean Morey of the Arizona Cardinals have agreed to donate their brains to science after death.
NFL players Matt Birk, left, of the Baltimore Ravens, Lofa Tatupu of the Seattle Seahawks, and Sean Morey of the Arizona Cardinals have agreed to donate their brains to science after death.   (AP Photo/File)
Sean Morey of the Arizona Cardinals says his donation will help improve the safety of retired and future athletes.
Sean Morey of the Arizona Cardinals says his donation will help improve the safety of retired and future athletes.   (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

The science is clear that CTE is a threat to the health and well-being of all contact sports athletes. I would like to do my part to raise awareness and help the research advance toward treatment and an eventual cure. - Matt Birk of the Baltimore Ravens

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
11.19.09
Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention
5 comments
VIEWING:
 
bewilderbeast
Sep 15, 09 5:09 AM CDT
I'm restraining myself. I won't say it. Oh, what the hell: Could be three empty jars in the lab, no? Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
IN RESPONSE:
laslow
Sep 15, 09 11:29 AM CDT
Hamster wheels; oddly motionless.
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
IN RESPONSE:
BOMBS_OVER_BAGHDAD
Sep 15, 09 5:55 PM CDT
I'm sure it took more thought from their minds to make this decision than it took from yours to write this blindly insulting post.
Vote up! Vote down!
-1
yoeydude
Sep 15, 09 5:31 AM CDT
this will go a long way in research , all players should be part , think of the data , tied to video ! think of the improvements in safety tech ,.....think of the stats on high school football injuries , think 17 year old kid with spinal / head injuries ........ Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
MarkFL
Sep 15, 09 5:39 AM CDT
Good for them. Everyone should donate their spare parts instead of wasting money and science burying themselves underground. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+4
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

11 Stories

OPINION

 Athletes Put Lives on the Line 


Jan 28, 09 3:25 PM CST
(Newser) - When Willis McGahee was wheeled off the field during the AFC championship game, “it was impossible not to fear the worst,” writes Wendy MacLeod in the Washington Post. And when she tried to find his status online, she turned up a YouTube video entitled, “McGahee Gets... More »

MORE ABOUT:
NFL • football • concussions • sports injuries • brain injuries • gladiators • head injuries • Willis McGahee

(Newser) - A sixth former NFL player has been diagnosed posthumously with a rare brain disease, lending credence to claims that concussions sustained playing football can have a cumulative, even deadly, effect, the Tampa Tribune reports. Tom McHale, who played for the Buccaneers, died from an overdose of painkillers and cocaine... More »

MORE ABOUT:
NFL • football • concussions • Tampa Bay Buccaneers • brain injuries • scientific study • medical study • head injuries • Tom McHale • chronic traumatic encephalopathy

Eyes, Brain Make Cards' Fitzgerald Quite the Catch

Star receiver has rare visual skills and a souped-up onboard computer for analysis

Jan 16, 09 11:41 AM CST
(Newser) - More than height, speed, or jumping ability, highly developed eyesight and an extraordinary internal computer make Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald a top-tier NFL receiver, a scientist tells the Wall Street Journal. Fitzgerald’s optometrist grandfather put him through drills to improve his “visual dominance,” enabling him to take... More »

MORE ABOUT:
NFL • Arizona Cardinals • brain • Philadelphia Eagles • eyes • Larry Fitzgerald • NFL playoffs • professional athletes • optometry • predictive control • hand-eye coordination

11 Stories


Sports  •  Science & Health 
TwitterFollow @NewserSports on Twitter

 
NFL • Arizona Cardinals • brain • Baltimore Ravens • concussions • Seattle Seahawks • sports injuries • Lofa Tatupu • chronic traumatic encephalopathy • football player • Matt Birk • Sean Morey

from our news partners