The link between ALS and football should not be overlooked or downplayed
NBC Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- Former NFL running back Chris Johnson publicly revealed his ALS diagnosis without emphasizing the established link between ALS and football, despite studies showing NFL players face nearly four times the risk compared to the general population.
- The NFL recognizes ALS as a compensable condition under its concussion settlement fund, highlighting the disease's connection to football-related head trauma.
- Media coverage, including a Good Morning America segment on Johnson, notably omitted explicit mention of the football-ALS link, drawing criticism from commentators who argue the connection must be openly discussed.
- Tom Brady acknowledged the risks athletes take, including head injuries, but suggested these risks are part of the sport, underscoring the need for players and parents to be fully informed about potential long-term health consequences.
- While football's future talent pool may be affected by growing awareness of brain injury risks, other sports also carry significant risks of head trauma, and participants often weigh these risks against the benefits of playing.
