Former NFL Guard's Story Similar to Chris Brymer's

In a March, 2011 Tampa Bay Times article, Stephen F. Holder writes of former Buccaneers offensive lineman, Aaron Sears and his suffering from apparent mental instability.  Sears is the most recent NFL vet to join the class-action suit against the league involving debilitating brain injuries.  Sears' story is similar to that of former USC standout, Chris Brymer--also an offensive lineman:

"Media Coverage of Hidden Brain Damage Mounts" --J. Paul Zoccali, Communication By Symbol

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An Editorial Note on CTE and Offensive Linemen

A Glimpse of CTE Litigants by Position--So Far

J. Paul Zoccali

In my October 13, 2010 post, "Media Coverage of Hidden Brain Damage Mounts," I stated that Owen Thomas, a University of Pennsylvania football player who committed suicide was an offensive lineman.  In Sports Illustrated's coverage of the death of Junior Seau, it was indicated that Thomas was a defensive end.   In a September 14, 2010 article, "Penn's Owen Thomas had CTE," ESPN referred to Thomas as...

Ho...Hum

Since I was sitting in a very comfortable chair, had nice copy of The Economist to leaf through between plays and an eclectic jazz mix played in the room, I remained in front of the TV after the Ohio State Buckeyes late in the third quarter exteneded their lead over the Michigan Wolverines to 30 points.  No longer able to stand the boredom

Football Helmet Impact Measurement Tech

Here's a very interesting article from today's New York Times by Alan Schwarz on the HIT system, an electronic device that measures and records force and location of helmet impact in football players.  North Carolina University leads the way in utilizing the technology:


http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/06/sports/ncaafootball/06helmets.html?_r=1&ref=sports




 "That's it, baby!  If ya got it..."  (I felt compelled.  Hhhhawww.  Do I hear an echo?)
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Media Coverage of Hidden Brain Damage Mounts

Recently Deceased College Football Player Diagnosed with CTE

J. Paul Zoccali

            Former University of Southern California standout and professional ranks surface-scratching offensive lineman, Chris Brymer made a seemingly graceful transition from a brief, journeyman’s professional football career to founding his own mortgage company.  He then gradually slipped into a delusional state, which started with severe bouts of paranoia involving his wife before progressing to his making claims that he can control the weather and spending most of his workdays staring out his office window watching birds.  As outlined in Peter Jamison’s in-depth SF Weekly article, “Head Case,” Brymer’s story, which will likely become a watershed case in the study of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, recently took a decisive turn.  After months of living on the streets of San Francisco, Brymer is currently charged with four counts of felony assault stemming from an altercation at a soup kitchen allegedly including a racial epithet.