The Catch from 1981. That's the catch that sent the 49er's on a streak for the next 10 years or so.

That's a shame. I don't think they can deny the correlation between repeated head injuries and ALS. You'd think with all the technology available they could make a helmet that would far lessen those impacts.

Notice all the players that are being diagnosed played in 70's and 80's. Do you think it was the equipment then? The way practice was? The way the game was? I guess what I'm asking is, do you think 25 years from now...we'll be seeing todays greats showing up with the same issues?

Gman - yes, poorer equipment IMO contributed heavily. The players still knock the snot out of each other. Not sure you could say they're more athletic when you look at a Lambert or Nitschke or some of the DBs then. And the repetitive hits are believed to be more of a cause than just one or two shots, although those are bad.

I think 25 years from now we won't see it as badly because drugs-technology-rehab is so much better. These guys have the money (some, many of them) to get great medical care throughout their careers and post-career. But we'll still see repetitive brain injury no matter what.

The changes in helmet technology just in the last 10 years is amazing.

There is also a lot less hitting all the way through football at practice these days.

I don't know if there will be changes in the health of the players. But, I know the industry is doing everything it can to reduce head trauma. There aren't many of the smelling salts get back in the game, who cares if you have a concussion situations now.

I don't doubt it but that is what they (media) are telling us. I would like to see percentage of football players with ALS vs non-football playing general population with ALS. That would definitely speak volumes.

Also seems the overwhelming majority are white men! Anyone else notice that?

Im afraid it will only be worse. Players are bigger faster and stronger than they were 20 years ago

NFL has a problem and they know it; they are the soft and rich target for litigation. Even though many of the hits take place in high school or before. As the NCAA get wealthier; they will become a target.

I wonder what the ALS disease rates run with soccer, Lacrosse, boxing and other contact sports are?

I know boxing is high. If I remember correctly boxing was the original sport under this type of medical research in the 40s.

I have said that for years. None of the studies compare rates in athletes to the general population.

Personal opinion here but I think it is a combination between the way they practiced, the size and strength of players, and (IMO most importantly) the way they are taught to tackle. Also I guess the nature of football with a set number of downs and a certain yardage to obtain lends itself to unsafe tackling. Using your head as the leading object in a tackle is not safe. We were taught throughout middle school, high school, and college to use the face mask to help line up the tackle. Putting your head in front of the ball carrier is risky. I don't care how they design the helmet, that is dangerous and foolish. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out.

Wasn't until I took the pads and helmet off and played rugby that I found out you could tackle without your head being involved. Better form being coached at the point of impact would help but when a game is centered around stopping the opponents momentum and keeping them from gaining an extra few feet, it's tough to find a good middle ground in terms of contact. Plus a high percentage of players make contact, not just in a tackle, every single snap. Not sure what a solution would be. The NCAA is taking steps to head off the legal ramifications of the head injury cases. I got a letter not too long ago informing me that I was a part of some class action suit that would allow for a couple of examinations free of charge if I felt I needed them. Not sure of exactly how that's all going but I don't think I've been impacted compared to those that played professionally. It does give me pause though. Again, not for or against football but I think there could be a little more done to help curb the head injuries.

There's been a few that compared to general population.
The one in Italy showed soccer players having ALS 6X as much as gen pop.

The odd thing about the Italian study was trying to figure out if the headers or just general physical activity brought about the onset of ALS.
Still plenty to learn about in regards to all of this.