One of my medically related interests is a neurological disorder know as CTE, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. I became aware of this disorder largely through an exceptional documentary on PBS Frontline,
League of Denial. It's a history of the discovery of this disorder as found in NFL players and the lengths the NFL had gone to deny that this disorder is common among those in NFL and football players in general. If you're not familiar with CTE and its connection to playing tackle football, I strongly suggest that you see this documentary. And consider reading and watching much of the source material. The work in this area continues to progress with more and more sufferers of CTE being discovered among those who were NFL players. Many of the changes in the rules and football equipment has been driven by research on CTE and the accumulating findings.
CTE is not the only type of brain damage that afflicts older NFL players. CTE is particularly troubling because its severity on suffer's cognitive and emotional functioning. There are brain damage related disorders are not at the level of severity as CTE that plague older football players.
A few days ago I ran across a treatment system that trains damaged brains. Many of the former football players, particularly those from the hard-hitting NFL, live in a kind mental haze, as if they were living in a dream state. They're unable to concentrate or focus for even a short period of time on anything without mentally drifting from the task at hand. This training system has been shown to significantly increase lift patient's emotions and apparently, lift them out of the mental hazy they have been living with for years. Here's a link to video and the article:
https://denver.cbslocal.com/2016/02/08/former-broncos-seek-concussion-relief-through-neurofeedback/
The treatment system is called neuro-feedback. Because it appears to run on a computer, it would seem that it would be something that a patient could use on their own home computer.
Now, one of the reason's I mention this is because one of the people mentioned in the article and who is in the video is Jon Keyworth (and his wife). I mention that because Jon and I were childhood friends. He and I grew up in the same neighborhood. Jon is a few years older than I am. And we went to different high schools and different universities. Our paths diverged, but I haven't forgotten Jon. I followed his career from a distance and I've been in contact with people who have known him over the years.
Jon was an exceptional athlete. (Interestingly enough, the only person I've ever know who had athletic skills at Jon's level is my younger brother.) Me? I'm no athlete. I kept trying and continue to ride a road racing bicycle at respectable speeds, low to mid 20s MPH over reasonable distances, but in truth my athletic skills are at the opposite end of the bell curve from Jon. I'm not ashamed to say that I'm jealous. I always wondered what it would be like to have athletic skills at his level. (I bet there are others out there who have wondered the same thing.)
Let me go through Jon's success as a football player. Jon played for the Denver Broncos as number 32 for his entire NFL career from 1974 to 1980. (Seven seasons.) He was fullback meaning that his primary job was as a blocking back, nevertheless Jon is listed the 10th best all time rusher for the Broncos. He played in Super Bowl 12. (Not only can I not imagine what it's like to play in an NFL game, I certainly can't imagine what it would be like to play in the Super Bowl. I haven't had anything close to that kind of an experience. I guess it must have been nice, but that's something I'll never know.)
One more thing I want emphasize. Jon was, is and will be a much nicer, kinder person than I ever have been or will be. Forget about any stereotypes that you might hold about NFL players, particularly the stars of the game. At least as it applies to Jon. Jon is someone filled with warmth, kindness and generosity. And when I ran across the article and video above that talked about Jon's plight and his way back, I felt that I needed to share this treatment as well a little bit of Jon's story. It could be that these players and the treatment they're undergoing may have an impact on a much wider group, maybe people suffering from dementia, especially early dementia. Maybe it can be slowed or possibly reversed. But these former players may be blazing a trail for the rest of us.
So, thank you, Jon. And your wife. And thanks to the people who have developed the treatment and continue to refine it.
