NFL Already Backtracking From CTE Link Comment
By Ty Duffy
Yesterday, an NFL Senior VP for health and safety acknowledged the link between football and CTE. Less than 24 hours later, the NFL is backtracking from that comment.
NFL PR limited the scope of his comment and placed the emphasis on the “questions” that need to be answered.
"“He was discussing Dr. Mckee’s findings and made the additional point that a lot more questions need to be answered,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement. “He said that the experts should speak to the state of the science.”"
The NFL also wants to let “the science go where the science goes.”
"“We want the facts, so we can develop better solutions,” McCarthy continued. “And that’s why we’re deeply committed to advancing medical research on head trauma, including CTE, to let the science go where the science goes. We know the answers will come as this field of study continues to advance.”"
The NFL’s waffling resembles fossil fuel industries with climate change. We have an imperfect understanding of the universe. Science always “goes where the science goes.” Novel findings on the frontier only raise further inquiries. Science most often deals with best conclusions, not facts. One can cite “questions that need to be answered” ad infinitum if desired.
Researches at BU have found evidence of CTE in 90/94 brains of former NFL players. It’s not clear how many middle-aged former NFL players need to shoot themselves in the chest and donate their brains to satisfy the NFL’s standard of proof. If the number does not affect the business model, it may never be enough.