
Today’s biggest headline grabber is the NHL’s most recent attempts to discredit the science of concussions and CTE, and because of this, I decided to put out a special edition of the Blitz to focus on this important issue. The sports leagues need to realize that people are watching, and moreover, that they care, and in that vein, please consider re-tweeting items you feel are important or sharing articles on Facebook or other social media platforms in order to insure that coverage of this doesn’t slip through the cracks. In this issue I’ve tried to round up some recent essential information. Pass it on.
~Sheilla
?NHL seeks to deny concussion/CTE link with sports related head trauma:
While the NHL’s been trying to avoid damages in a class-action lawsuit for a while, hiring their own Exponent-style “expert” who seeks to discredit the work of researcher such as Dr. Bennet Omalu and Dr. Ann McKee, I found these tweets by TSN’s Rick Westhead shocking. – (Note – Westhead’s been on top of this lawsuit from the beginning and is a phenomenal source of info in that regard.)
Researchers in Toronto announced today they found CTE in the brain of man who suffered from ALS but did not have history of concussions. /1
— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) March 2, 2017
The Canadian Concussion Centre at Toronto Western Hospital said the man was not a pro athlete. /2
— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) March 2, 2017
This could have implications for NHL concussion lawsuit if NHL points to case to suggest maybe other reasons beyond concussions for CTE. /3
— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) March 2, 2017
Exactly. That would be a good counterpoint. https://t.co/l3DdZaf1SP
— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) March 2, 2017
NFLCSFacts located the study:
(And compared it to another study we’re all aware of)
Researchers report first known case of CTE in patient with no known head trauma https://t.co/Ishtws1VeV Lili-Naz Hazrati et al. take bows. pic.twitter.com/P2x5RJiM9W
— NFLCSFacts (@NFLObjectors) March 3, 2017
First #CTE Patient assumed to have Had No Prior Brain Injury https://t.co/YTrRqMTQq4 …#TBI pic.twitter.com/D6virMhqL6
— NFLCSFacts (@NFLObjectors) March 3, 2017
Law360’s Zach Zagger covered BU researcher Dr. Ann McKee’s Response:
Researcher Says NHL Trying To Discredit Concussion Work – via @ZachZagger https://t.co/EOZkHHuZpU 1/3 pic.twitter.com/bSiHKjNfix
— Sheilla Dingus (@SheillaDingus) March 3, 2017
More from #NHL #concussion injury litigation https://t.co/4xZ2GRfdTk
BU researcher Ann McKee:
2/3 pic.twitter.com/Uf3WEGLTZl— Sheilla Dingus (@SheillaDingus) March 3, 2017
Researcher Says NHL Trying To Discredit Concussion Work 3/3 https://t.co/VmfTLpcw0H pic.twitter.com/f2diDmf0tA
— Sheilla Dingus (@SheillaDingus) March 3, 2017
Boston University CTE Center researcher Dr. Ann McKee tells court NHL is trying to undermine & discredit their work. https://t.co/jhxzFna1NW pic.twitter.com/8fB7RFQMoy
— Zach Zagger (@ZachZagger) March 2, 2017
Dr. Bennet Omalu addressed the NHL’s aggressive attacks on CTE research earlier this month:
ICYMI#CTE Expert Dr. Bennet Omalu Challenges #NHL’s “Alternative Facts” https://t.co/xQw7wE6xaQ
— Sheilla Dingus (@SheillaDingus) March 3, 2017
?Here’s some recent and relevant concussion discussion as it relates to the NFL:
.@CyndyFeasel knows first-hand the high human cost of #CTE https://t.co/zOsAQkVsu4
— Sheilla Dingus (@SheillaDingus) March 3, 2017
Chris Brymer: From USC to #NFL – to homeless and in jail #concussion #CTE https://t.co/tJUobslpno via @abc7 h/t @RobertinSeattle
— Sheilla Dingus (@SheillaDingus) March 3, 2017
#Panthers Michael Oher has been in #concussion protocol since September h/t @theobserver
— Sheilla Dingus (@SheillaDingus) March 3, 2017
It’s “un-American” to let your kid play football, says brain injury expert https://t.co/MyXAuh4EYW #TBI
— NFLCSFacts (@NFLObjectors) March 3, 2017
While attorneys deserve to be paid, it remains to be seen how much of this #concussion settlement will actually go to the players. https://t.co/Fl3cPu9HAf
— Sheilla Dingus (@SheillaDingus) March 3, 2017
NFL Concussion Objectors Want Piece Of $112.5M Atty Fees via @FolaAk https://t.co/uYvQlyTgA2 pic.twitter.com/jOB7GclLz1
— Sheilla Dingus (@SheillaDingus) March 3, 2017
And Now the Fun Begins…
The #Concussion Settlement is far from settled. https://t.co/DIyu6wgrgx via @RobertinSeattle— Sheilla Dingus (@SheillaDingus) February 28, 2017
ICYMI – from last week… More on #NFL #concussion settlementhttps://t.co/fxzmA4jPpt
— Sheilla Dingus (@SheillaDingus) March 3, 2017
ICYMI
Discovery is ongoing in another #NFL insurers lawsuit re #concussion settlement https://t.co/mm9LnODcvz— Sheilla Dingus (@SheillaDingus) March 3, 2017
Another ICYMI
Positive court ruling in #CTE wrongful death lawsuithttps://t.co/3Z8Gw2HXsV— Sheilla Dingus (@SheillaDingus) March 3, 2017
Concussions are also a concern in other sports:
?Rugby
New lawsuits bring Rugby into #Concussion Discussion https://t.co/QaGMBMNCrj via @JamieMarcuson @smh
— Sheilla Dingus (@SheillaDingus) February 26, 2017
?NASCAR
As Earnhardt Jr. returns from injury, #NASCAR takes on #concussion questions https://t.co/8tkU1RAkoi via @TDesOrmeau
— Sheilla Dingus (@SheillaDingus) February 24, 2017
#NEWS NASCAR reveals their updated concussion protocol, effective immediately. https://t.co/B9GM1Bd2EI
— HeadSmart (@BeHeadSmart) March 3, 2017
Though she’s never missed a race because of injury, Danica Patrick suspects she’s had a concussion #NASCAR https://t.co/MgXwQBsTji
— Sports Law Scoop (@SportsLawScoop) February 24, 2017
??Horseracing
Unlike the #NFL horseracing recognizes the #concussion problem by has little funding to address it. h/t @flysofree https://t.co/QEdjZJdrM5 pic.twitter.com/1bwKPlE591
— Sheilla Dingus (@SheillaDingus) February 11, 2017
British Horseracing Authority Enhances Concussion Management Protocols https://t.co/aBEB7dxgdN
— Horse Racing Reform (@RacingReform) July 19, 2016
US jockeys to undergo three-year concussion pilot study #HorseRacing https://t.co/XiO4otHd3s via @@HorsetalkNZ
— Lisa (@Lisa4horses) June 17, 2016
?Rodeo
With a star’s death, rodeo meets its NFL moment #concussion #CTE https://t.co/1RTu7Kswnx via @macleansmag h/t @flysofree / @racing_matters
— Sheilla Dingus (@SheillaDingus) February 11, 2017