Kenny Habetz Injury Law | February 12, 2025 | Personal Injury
Research shows that football players can experience up to 1,400 hard hits to the head in a single season, including practice. Most of these hits can seem minor at the time and are often considered just part of the game. However, any head injury can contribute to long-term problems, and it’s vital for players and their families to be aware of them.
How Concussions Change the Brain
When a player takes a hit, their brain can impact the inside of their skull. This happens even with modern helmets.
What makes this especially dangerous is that damage can occur even without obvious symptoms. This condition is called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Repeated hits can cause a protein called tau to gather where it shouldn’t, gradually affecting the brain areas that control how we think, act, and remember things.
Unfortunately, doctors can only confirm CTE after someone passes away, which makes it particularly tricky to study.
However, research from Boston University’s CTE Center has uncovered some striking numbers:
- 99% of studied NFL players showed signs of CTE
- 91% of college football players demonstrated CTE symptoms
- High school players showed early signs of brain damage
- The risk increased by 30% for each year of play
These numbers are concerning, making awareness of the potential impact of football brain injuries crucial.
How Brain Injuries Change Lives
The effects of repeated brain trauma extend far beyond headaches.
Former players often struggle with the following:
- Memory problems that make learning new skills difficult and can lead to early dementia
- Mood changes that affect relationships with family and friends
- Balance issues that persist long after playing days are over and worsen with age
- Chronic headaches that become a daily struggle and resist normal treatment
- Sleep disorders that impact overall health and quality of life
- Depression and anxiety that can lead to severe mental health crises
For football players, these symptoms tend not to receive as much attention as other catastrophic injuries that affect their availability on the field.
Young Players and Brain Development
Such effects can be particularly worrisome in young players. A study in the Annals of Neurology found that playing tackle football before age 12 can lead to worse cognitive and behavioral outcomes later in life. Young brains are still developing, making them especially vulnerable.
The research showed early players were:
- Four times more likely to develop behavioral problems
- Three times more likely to experience depression
- Twice as likely to have issues with executive function
- More likely to struggle with impulse control
Parents and guardians should be well informed of the long-lasting impacts of such sports before allowing their children to participate.
Legal Rights In Louisiana When Protocols Fail
In Louisiana, you have legal options if you or your child sustained a brain injury because protocols weren’t followed.
Courts have recognized that teams and organizations have a duty to protect players, including by:
- Following established concussion protocols
- Removing players from games after suspected concussions
- Not pressuring players to return before they’re ready
- Properly maintaining and fitting protective equipment
- Teaching safe tackling techniques
As the understanding of brain injuries grows, football will need to keep evolving to put player safety first.
Playing the Game Safer
A key examination of 46 former NFL players’ brains revealed that all but one showed signs of CTE.
This has driven changes in the game, including:
- Concussion spotters at every game watching for signs of injury
- Mandatory baseline testing before the season starts
- New tackling techniques that reduce head impact
- Limited contact during practice sessions
- Stricter return-to-play protocols after head injuries
Such changes work to make the game safer for all players.
Protecting Players and Preserving the Game
Players may feel pressure to get back in the game after a serious injury, and parents can struggle with decisions about letting their kids play. It is important to keep finding ways to protect players while preserving what makes the game exciting. For players or families dealing with the aftermath of a brain injury, seeking legal guidance can also be helpful.
Contact the Louisiana Personal Injury Law Firm Of Kenny Habetz Injury Law for Help Today
If you’ve been injured in Louisiana, please call Kenny Habetz Injury Law for a free case evaluation with a Louisiana personal injury lawyer or contact us online. We have offices in Lafayette and Crowley, LA.
Kenny Habetz Injury Law – Lafayette
110 E Kaliste Saloom Rd Ste 101 Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 399-9000
Kenny Habetz Injury Law – Crowley
604 S Parkerson Ave. Crowley, LA 70526
(337) 329-8883
