Did Football Kill Former Eagles DB Andre Waters?

[AlvinWalton'sNeckBrace]

Originally Posted by Buster

Really, I didn't believe it. Later, we saw Mohammed Ali on TV and my wife commented on why she wonders why boxers would want to do that to themselves. I said, it doesn't happen to all of them, look at George Foreman...he's fine and he fought Ali a few times.

It's not a widespread problem with older football players. I think Waters' problems were more genetic and by chance than as a result of football. He's always had psychological issues and has been a hothead...so I don't think you can blame the sport.

Now with Aikman...yeah, he'll be messed up, but that's because he played longer than he should've with his injuries.

Did he lead with his head a lot on hits, moreso than other players?

Didn't George Foreman name every one of his sons "George?" He also says "sammich" a lot...so maybe all those punches had more of an effect than people think.

[riggoraider]

Originally Posted by AlvinWalton'sNeckBrace

Didn't George Foreman name every one of his sons "George?" He also says "sammich" a lot...so maybe all those punches had more of an effect than people think.

You may be able to thank God that your diction is better than Georges' but I am sure that he has MILLIONS of reasons to be thankful himself.

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by AlvinWalton'sNeckBrace

Didn't George Foreman name every one of his sons "George?" He also says "sammich" a lot...so maybe all those punches had more of an effect than people think.

But he's still aware enough to tell all of his Georges apart. At least I hope so.

[dmek25]

Originally Posted by Buster

Did he lead with his head a lot on hits, moreso than other players?

not to pile on, but Andre waters was easily THE dirtiest player the NFL has seen in a long time. would ALWAYS lead with his helmet, no matter what. but todays players, seems like are getting farther and farther from this technique. probably better coaching, starting at pee wee.

[budw38]

Originally Posted by dmek25

not to pile on, but Andre waters was easily THE dirtiest player the NFL has seen in a long time. would ALWAYS lead with his helmet, no matter what. but todays players, seems like are getting farther and farther from this technique. probably better coaching, starting at pee wee.

Yes he was , he broke J. Atkinsons ankle < he kicked for us > and Took some cheap shots at D. Williams , actually punched Williams in the stomach . As far as football / concussions leading to his death ? Anyone who played football growing up has probably had many , as with boxers and hockey players . I would assume rugby players get many of them . When we were kids < in the 70's > , we would get knocked out cold and countinue to play because head injury's never seemed to get any attention . lets hope that the medical community can find answers and cures sometime soon .

[sportscurmudgeon]

A former colleague of mine - a well regarded physicist who worked for NASA for a while and then became a professor at a major US university - has what is diagnosed as early onset Alzheimers and it is the rapidly developing variety of that disease. The current thinking is that it was brought on by a severe head injury he incurred skiing about 5 years ago.

Because no one actually knows how Alsheimers gets started, this is still conjecture, but there is a segment of the medical community - not the fringies out there screching about theoritical nonsense - that believes that blows to the brain can sometimes trigger the onset of Alzheimers. There are brain studies ongoing to try to demonstrate the mechanisms by which this might happen.

My former colleague has been given another 12-18 months to live. He just had his 52nd birthday last month...

[jamf]

Sometimes these types of reports are misleading.
I'm sure in some way concussions did have an effect on his brain, but he likely would've had alzheimers if he had never played football.

Keep in mind, it's finacially beneficial for this doctor to blame concussions for his death. the NFL is going to send him MILLIONS for research.

And no I do not have a medical background, But I did stay at the Holiday Inn Capital while visiting DC

[MTK]

Alzheimers is such a mysterious disease I don't think anyone can say whether Waters would have developed it or not had he not been a football player.

[RobH4413]

Very very sad. Thoughts and prayers to the family...


I think it goes without saying that we need to watch our heads.

The Human Brain - Watch Your Head

[Redskinhog1963]

andre waters was the dirtiest player in the history of the nfl!
i would rate rodney harrison,conrad dobler,dan hampton,and dan dierdorff very close seconds.i remember watching the skins and the cards playing in the 70s,and dobler would through out the leg whip,and dierdorf would try to stomp your hand,nuts,anything he could.

[Redskinhog1963]

look at all the players who seem to die early like waters,and reggie white who died because he had sleep athenia.i'm sure getting the hell knocked out of you every play can't be too good for you.

[SmootSmack]

The NFL's treatment (pension plans) of former players is extremely sad. In fact, HBO's Real Sports, will have a piece on that tonight at 10.

[Redskinhog1963]

Originally Posted by TAFKAS

The NFL's treatment (pension plans) of former players is extremely sad. In fact, HBO's Real Sports, will have a piece on that tonight at 10.

if i'm not miataken,o think mr clean conrad dobler is one of the former players they are going to interview.i doubt ypu'll ever see ex players like merlin olsen,rosey grier,deacon jones,or
butkus on any of them since they all found wealth away from the game.the league should
be ashamed that they pay these guys as little as they do,but the nba is the same way.last year,shaq paid for george mikan's funeral because he could'nt!