NFL executive admits link between football and CTE
An NFL official has acknowledged a link between football and the brain disease CTE for the first time.
Jeff Miller, the NFL’s senior vice president for health and safety, spoke about the connection during an appearance Monday at a congressional committee’s roundtable discussion about concussions.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Illinois) asked Miller: “Do you think there is a link between football and degenerative brain disorders like CTE?”
Miller began by referencing the work of Boston University neuropathologist Dr. Ann McKee, who has found CTE in the brains of 90 former pro football players.
“Well, certainly, Dr. McKee’s research shows that a number of retired NFL players were diagnosed with CTE, so the answer to that question is certainly `yes,’ but there are also a number of questions that come with that,” Miller said.
Schakowsky repeated the question: “Is there a link?”
“Yes. Sure,” Miller responded.
The NFL has not previously linked playing football to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a disease linked to repeated brain trauma and associated with symptoms such as memory loss, depression and progressive dementia. It can only be detected after death. Among the players found to have CTE in their brains were Hall of Famers Junior Seau and Ken Stabler.
During Super Bowl week, Dr. Mitch Berger, a member of the NFL’s head, neck and spine committee, would not draw a direct line from football to CTE.
Raji taking year off: B.J. Raji quoted Vince Lombardi in announcing his decision to leave football for a year.
While the late Hall of Fame coach for the Green Bay Packers would have been proud, the current team now has a hole to fill on the defensive line.
Raji said Monday that he was taking a “hiatus” from the NFL and would not play in 2016 following seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers.
“This decision was made after hours of conversation with close family members and mentors and considerable self-introspection and is one in which I am absolutely certain,” Raji said in a statement. “I cannot rule out a return to the NFL in the future, but I will definitely not be playing during the 2016 season.”
Weddle signs with Ravens: The Baltimore Ravens and safety Eric Weddle agreed to terms on a four-year contract.
An All-Pro in 2011 and 2014, Weddle has spent his entire nine-year career with the San Diego Chargers. But that ended in an ugly manner last season.
Bills fire DL coach: The Buffalo Bills have fired defensive line coach Karl Dunbar in an abrupt move announced by Rex Ryan.
In a statement released by the team Sunday night, Ryan called it a difficult decision but added he felt he needed to make a change “and go in a different direction.” No other details were provided.
Bears re-sign TE Housler: The Chicago Bears have re-signed tight end Rob Housler to a one-year contract.
Housler played in the final four games for Chicago last season and had three catches for 27 yards. He has appeared in 65 games with 27 starts over five seasons with Arizona (2011-14), Cleveland (2015) and the Bears (2015).