Marcus Wenger

English 102
Mr. Padgett
2/16/16
Risk of High School Football
Over the past 20 years doctors and medical examiners have made incredible strides in
understanding the human brain. As we begin to understand the brain better we learn what can
also affect our brain. Doctors have discovered through research and studies that concussions
and repeated head trauma causes a disease known as CTE in the brain. CTE destroys the brain
leaving the recipient debilitated. Recent discoveries on the effect of repeated head trauma
through concussions and CTE prove why football is too dangerous of a sport to be played in
high school.
Repeated head trauma including concussions cause a disease in the brain recently
discovered called CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy). This disease is most commonly
found in retired athletes that participated in contact sports like football and boxing. CTE can
only be diagnosed post mortem by finding concentrations of tau protein in the brain. The tau
protein in the brain builds up and destroys gradually deteriorating the brain. Symptoms of CTE
include, loss of memory, difficulty controlling impulsive or erratic behavior, impaired
judgment, behavioral disturbances including aggression and depression, difficult with balance,
and a gradual onset of dementia.(BIRI) These effects leave the individual suffering from CTE
debilitated and completely dependent on others. Life for athletes suffering from this disease
end very early and are found commonly in the news now a days as suicides. This life killing
disease is easily preventable by avoiding repeated blows to the head which in the end is all
what football is about.
Arent only professional athletes susceptible to CTE such as NFL football players and
professional boxers? That is not the case as CTE has been found in athletes as young as the age
of 18 years old. The 18 year olds post mortem exam found that concentrations of tau protein
had already started to build up in his brain. Young athletes and amateurs commonly receive
concussions from football just like professionals. A study was done by Robert M. Guthrie
researching the probability of concussions in youth football, high school football, and college
football. The study also evaluated where concussions either in games or practice. The study
concluded that 1 in every 30 youth players sustain one concussion in a competitive year. 1 in
every 14 players at the high school level and 1 in every 20 players at the collegiate level. As one
can see that concussions are quite common for anyone participating in the sport of football. A
majority of football players who play in high school and college started out at a very young age.
The chance of the athlete suffering not only one but multiple concussions throughout their

Commented [AP1]: You should probably define this more

clearly after the first time you use it. Dont assume your
audience knows what this means.

Commented [AP2]: Dont forget your hyphens.

youth is very high especially since once an athlete receives his first concussion they are more
likely to receive another one.
Football should not be played at the high school level due to the effect of repeated head
trauma caused from the contact sport. The repeated head trauma causes concussions and
develops the process of CTE in the brain. High School football players range between the ages
of 15-18 years old. This key developmental part of a teenagers life is very important and
concussions during this time period makes the teen more susceptible to mental illness. Despite
this sports history, tradition, and ongoing attempt to make the game safer, football has proven
to still not be at the level of safety needed for developing teenagers to participate in.

Are the effects of football on the brain making the sport too dangerous?
Why are you interested in this research question?

I am interested in this research question because this topic touches very close to home
for me. Football has been such a big part of my life and I have played the sport for 10
years starting in 2nd grade. I have suffered concussions and now that I am done playing I
fear what we all now know about concussions and their effect.
How does this research question affect you and your values, or does it not?

This research has changed my values about football. I still love and respect the game but
at the same time something needs to be done to make the game safer. When I was in
high school I knew about the dangers of concussions but I still put my team and that
moment ahead of my safety and future. This culture and situation needs to change for
the safety of everyone participating in this sport.
What is your personal experience regarding this?

I have played football my whole life and have firsthand experience facing this topic. I
have suffered concussions and continued to play until I graduated from high school. I
know what it is like to want to play through the concussion for your team but I also now
see what is more important in life post football.
What makes you qualified to write about this?

I am qualified to write about this topic because I have done a lot of research on this
topic. I have closely followed this topic through the news over the last couple years. My
personal experience from before, during, and after all of the concussion studies and
awareness.

Three Sources

Commented [AP3]: Okay, so this seems like the claim you

would like to make. So whats more? Are you saying schools
should stop having football teams? Or that parents just
shouldnt send their kids?

1. The Physician and Sports medicine

a. Concussions is becoming a big issue not only for the professionals but also for the youth. 1 In
every 14 high school football players suffer a concussion during 1 year of play that goes
recorded. 57.7% of high school concussions occur during practice making it clear that everyone
who plays football needs to know their risks at all levels of the game.
b. The major value at stake in this article is its research about how common it is for football
players at each level to receive a concussion. The frequency at all levels is very high which is
hard to believe especially in kids that are so young. This proves the importance of keeping their
brains safe as they mature and grow. Concussions impede this process.
c. The source is very credible since it is written from a well published research study performed
by doctors that are professionals in the field. The study is thoroughly explained and sourced
with well documented specific data. The research was also published helping prove its
credibility. The author does not have any bias since all of his information and conclusions come
from the well published study that he ran.
2. A late hit for pro football players
a. CTE is a late hit for pro football players since the effects do not occur until later on in the
athletes life. Tau protein builds up in the athletes brain from repeated head trauma and
causes what we know as CTE. The fact that an 18 year old football player who died was found
with CTE helping raise the question how young is too young for these dangerous contact sports.
b. The major values and interests at stake for this article are making the reader aware of the
question how young is too young to participating in dangerous sports like football. Especially if
an 18 year old boy was found to have already been suffering from this disease that we typically
only see in much older athletes.
c. The original article was originally published by American Association for the Advancement of
Science. The study and research was executed by professional doctors. The author does not
have any bias because the information the author used were from well recognized studies and
doctors.
3. BIRI Protect the Brain
a. CTE is a brain disease caused by repeated trauma to the head typically found in football
players and boxers. The condition persists over a period of years and decades. CTE can be
debilitating and impact friends, family, and loved ones. The disease can only be diagnosed post
mortem and can be associated with Alzheimers.
b. The major values and interests at stake for this article are the effects of CTE on the brain. CTE
destroys the brain causing it to loss mass leading to all types of completely debilitating
complications further down the road in life. The accumulation of tau protein is the best way to
diagnose CTE causing an interference between neurons in the brain.

c. The article source comes from the Brain Injury Institute Research website. This is a very
credible site that is written by professionals in their field. The author does not have any bias
viewpoints because it is strictly based on research findings and evidence proven through
repeated research studies.

How is the research question arguable, and why?

This research question is arguable because some may believe that there is not enough
evidence linking football as a cause. Others might argue saying that football has become
safer and will continue to become safer allowing for future play.

Commented [AP4]: Who are these people, and what

valid points do they make?

What are some agreements and disagreements among the sources you have found?

A lot of researchers agree that more and more research is still coming up and needs to
be discovered. Many sources also say that this is a rising issue that will force change to
happen with how we play football.
How do the different perspectives of the sources affect your own?
The different perspectives helped solidify my stance that football is too dangerous of a
sport unless new technology and rules create a much safer game.
How might you need to revise your research question?

I might need to revise my research question to be more specific as to why I believe and
what evidence I have to argue with. I could also incorporate a counter argument to help
strengthen my paper.
Marcus,
I like this timely and important topic youve begun researching. Seems like youve done
some thinking on this topic before, and your research thus far is quite detailed in terms
of your understanding of CTE. I need to get a better sense of your specific inquiry
question. I dont think there is any real doubt that repeated concussions are good for
brains, and I dont think theres any doubt that professional athletes suffer multiple
concussions throughout a career. But I want to see what it is that you want to uncover
or where you want to fit your voice in this conversation. Is your question: is football safe
for kids? Or should we discontinue football in schools? Or is football so dangerous that
we should discontinue it in high schools? Maybe you could simply ask: At what point is
a sport too dangerous? Im not sure how you want to formulate this, but I need to get
a better sense of a specific direction you want to take this research. Again, what youve
composed so far is great and really compelling.

Commented [AP5]:
Commented [AP6]: Okay, so this seems like a gray area,
right?