The New York Times has an interesting article about a number of lawsuits filed by former players against the National Football League and helmet manufacturers.

The lawsuits deal with whether the NFL knew, or should have known, about the effects of repeated blows to the head on athletes.  The article quotes one of the lawyers for the players as arguing that the consequences of multiple concussions — including dementia, disorientation, memory loss, and anger control issues — were well documented.  Counsel for the NFL responds that the League makes player safety a priority and has never misled players.

I never played competitive football, and I can’t imagine what it would be like to have one concussion, much less several.  And if you know anyone who played high-level football, you’ve likely seen the general bodily wear and tear the game imposes — from gimpy walks to scarred legs to gnarled, misshapen fingers.  Regardless of the outcome, the lawsuits should remind everyone that those crushing hits that we cheer on Sundays come at a cost for the human beings inside the uniforms.