Author Topic: Are all these football players' anger issues a result of head trauma?  (Read 8665 times)

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Offline Ed Hollison

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After watching bits and pieces of Greg Hardy's interview with Adam Schefter yesterday, this thought came to mind once again.

The evidence linking football to CTE is now overwhelming. And it's not just pro football. The effects of repeated head trauma at young ages, starting in pee-wee perhaps, are serious. And CTE is linked to wild mood swings and anger, among other cognitive issues.

Some of these guys' violent offenses are so mind-bogglingly crazy (with Hardy's being a good example) that I really wonder if there's a physiological component. I just can't believe it's because football players are likelier to be poorly educated or from rough upbringings. The physical effect of the sport on the brain, and maybe the steroids too, have to be a part of this puzzle.

Curious to hear if people agree (or care)...
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Re: Are all these football players' anger issues a result of head trauma?
« Reply #1 on: April 06, 2016, 11:27:27 AM »

Offline TheTruth

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Drugs. Steroids. Head trauma. Playing a crazy physical game that promotes violence.

All of the above.

Re: Are all these football players' anger issues a result of head trauma?
« Reply #2 on: April 06, 2016, 11:35:03 AM »

Offline D Dub

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The things they do on the field, playing football, would put the average person in jail for assault and battery. 

Why do we expect them to be so much different off the field?


Re: Are all these football players' anger issues a result of head trauma?
« Reply #3 on: April 06, 2016, 11:41:10 AM »

Online Donoghus

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The things they do on the field, playing football, would put the average person in jail for assault and battery. 

Why do we expect them to be so much different off the field?

Because of lot of them can be.  Just like a lot of people, there are plenty of football players who can compartmentalize things.


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Re: Are all these football players' anger issues a result of head trauma?
« Reply #4 on: April 06, 2016, 12:00:48 PM »

Offline mgent

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I know plenty of people who have never played football a day in their life, but you give them 1 million dollars or something, and they could do literally anything (any crime, any despicable/mind-boggling thing).

You don't have to play football or have head trauma to be a bad person or a violent person.  Culture/upbringing is probably a much bigger factor than injuries.  Probably wouldn't immediately dismiss steroids either.
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Re: Are all these football players' anger issues a result of head trauma?
« Reply #5 on: April 06, 2016, 12:25:19 PM »

Offline Smitty77

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Please watch "Concussion" if you have not yet seen it.

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Re: Are all these football players' anger issues a result of head trauma?
« Reply #6 on: April 06, 2016, 12:34:30 PM »

Offline fairweatherfan

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I'd expect that it's part of the picture for some guys, but it's not a categorical explanation. 

There are football players of all kinds of personality types and a fair number of physical builds, but it disproportionately attracts guys who are big, strong, athletic, and enjoy violent collisions.  A lot of those guys would still have a violent streak if football had never been invented. 

Then you add PEDs, a very macho, aggressive culture, the uncertainty of short careers and little guaranteed money (for most), plus a lot of wealth and social attention, both good and bad, before you get to the head trauma.  Some guys are fine with all of it but it's a pretty toxic cocktail for a decent percentage.

Re: Are all these football players' anger issues a result of head trauma?
« Reply #7 on: April 06, 2016, 12:35:26 PM »

Offline PhoSita

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Seems like PEDs and repeated head trauma are likely candidates.

Growing up in an intensely competitive environment that rewards aggression, impulsive action, and violence probably plays a part as well.

I agree with FWF.
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Re: Are all these football players' anger issues a result of head trauma?
« Reply #8 on: April 06, 2016, 12:54:54 PM »

Offline guava_wrench

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Personality is the bigger problem. A violent game like football that requires so much strength will lead to people with anger issues being over-represented. There are a lot of people with anger issues. Add to that being rich and being treated special in HS and college (and even in the pros) and you have the dangers anger+entitlement mixture.

Re: Are all these football players' anger issues a result of head trauma?
« Reply #9 on: April 06, 2016, 01:44:51 PM »

Offline PhoSita

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Personality is the bigger problem. A violent game like football that requires so much strength will lead to people with anger issues being over-represented. There are a lot of people with anger issues. Add to that being rich and being treated special in HS and college (and even in the pros) and you have the dangers anger+entitlement mixture.

Don't you think it works both ways?  The game attracts competitive, aggressive, violent people.  It also reinforces those innate tendencies.  Teaches and rewards them, in fact.

Then you add repeated head trauma to erode whatever self control and coping mechanisms these guys might have.
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Re: Are all these football players' anger issues a result of head trauma?
« Reply #10 on: April 06, 2016, 01:49:11 PM »

Online Roy H.

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I'd expect that it's part of the picture for some guys, but it's not a categorical explanation. 

There are football players of all kinds of personality types and a fair number of physical builds, but it disproportionately attracts guys who are big, strong, athletic, and enjoy violent collisions.  A lot of those guys would still have a violent streak if football had never been invented. 

Then you add PEDs, a very macho, aggressive culture, the uncertainty of short careers and little guaranteed money (for most), plus a lot of wealth and social attention, both good and bad, before you get to the head trauma.  Some guys are fine with all of it but it's a pretty toxic cocktail for a decent percentage.

Nailed it.


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Re: Are all these football players' anger issues a result of head trauma?
« Reply #11 on: April 06, 2016, 01:52:22 PM »

Offline Denis998

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Damage to the frontal lobe can cause personality changes. As people above are saying though, it is probably due to a number of different circumstances.

Re: Are all these football players' anger issues a result of head trauma?
« Reply #12 on: April 12, 2016, 01:58:52 PM »

Offline Forza Juventus

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I think mental health is also a factor as well as some of the factors mentioned in this thread.
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Re: Are all these football players' anger issues a result of head trauma?
« Reply #13 on: April 12, 2016, 02:14:22 PM »

Offline PhoSita

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I think mental health is also a factor as well as some of the factors mentioned in this thread.

Good point.

I don't doubt for a moment that guys brought up in the football culture are even less likely than the general population to seek treatment for mental health issues.
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Re: Are all these football players' anger issues a result of head trauma?
« Reply #14 on: April 12, 2016, 02:29:44 PM »

Offline HuskerCeltic

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Is CTE a factor for the wild off the field behavior of NFL players? It is possible in some instances.

Is it the primary reason for these events? Heck no.

The NFL is having an identity crisis. It is a violent sport and that contributes to its popularity. Violence tends to hurt people. If you promote the NFL you promote serious damage to other peoples brains for your entertainment.