NFL brutality to benefit science

This fall, three professional football players agreed to donate their brains and spinal cords to science when they die. Given the violent beatings their bodies take day-in and day-out during the 5-month season, the knowledge to be gained from this exclusive group is extensive.

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu, Arizona Cardinals receiver Sean Morey and Baltimore Ravens center Matt Birk -- all current NFL athletes and past Pro-Bowlers -- are the first three active players to make the commitment. They will be interviewed annually for the rest of their lives as part of a study conducted by the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy (a partnership between the Boston University Medical School and the Sports Legacy Institute). The questions will examine issues surrounding the players' current cognitive, behavioral and mood symptoms in hopes of providing information about Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive degenerative brain disease found in individuals who have a history of repetitive concussions.

I think it's great. Who better to help us learn about the effects of head trauma than the men who voluntarily participate in a sport as brutal as professional football? Why not take advantage of this violent sport to better understand how to prevent and treat athletes and non-athletes alike who are at risk of CTE-caused dementia?

--Jef Akst, Associate Editor, The Scientist