I think his point is, if CTE is the pervasive problem in the NFL that much of the made has made it, then it would show up in the general player population at a greater rate than non-players. All separately evaluating the diagnosed population against the masses would potentially do is prove CTE increases suicide risk, period. NFL, no NFL it just does-which I believe is a fairly accepted idea. I don't believe the NFLs stance, is not that CTE isn't a problem, but that it's not a bigger problem in the NFL than anywhere else. Also, to get an accurate statistic on all the player population that has CTE would be impossible. Way too much bias built into the data. Only players/ex-players with symptoms seek treatment. Only those who seek treatment get diagnosed. Fact remains the percentage of players that actually have CTE are estimates. Statistical analysis based on estimates seems useless.
Also, the fact that it's using the general NLF population speaks volumes about NFL players post career OVERALL quality of life. Many people in the 40's and 50s and older, have chronic illnesses. This reduces quality of life. Many people have mental illness than causes suicidal thinking. Ex-NFL players typically have the resources (unless they are older or blew it), to care for themselves and compensate for whatever losses the NFL life brought them. The pros outweigh the cons. I think that's the main point. I'll smash myself into a bick wall a hundred times a year for the money most of these guys get. Minimum salary is over half a million dollars.
11 May 2016, 3:35 pm
