A history of concussion awareness in the NFL:
2002: Steelers Hall of Famer Mike Webster dies. Dr. Bennet Omalu examines Webster’s brain and discovers damage that he attributes to repeated football collisions. He names it Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE.
2005: Omalu’s findings are published in the journal Neurosurgery in an article titled: “Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy in a National Football League Player.”
2006: Former Philadelphia Eagles safety Andre Waters kills himself with a gunshot to the head. Test reveal Waters had CTE.
2007: NFL holds its first concussions summit.
2009: The New York Times reports that an NFL-funded study reveals former players are far more likely to encounter cognitive impairment than the general population.
2009: The NFL acknowledges to the NYT that concussions “can lead to long-term problems.”
2011: The first in a series of lawsuits filed by former players against the NFL, alleging the league engaging in denial and deception on the subject of head trauma.
2011: Former Chicago Bear Dave Duerson commits suicide with a gunshot to the chest and leaves a note requesting his brain be sent to to Boston University for research on CTE. Test indicate he had the disease.
2012: Former San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau commits suicide, shooting himself in the chest. Studies reveal the Hall of Famer suffered from CTE.
2012: The NFL funds ‘Heads Up Football’, an arm of USA Football designed to increase safety and raise awareness of head trauma in youth football.
2013: The NFL announces new concussions safety measures, including the placement of an independent neurologist on the sideline for every game.
2013: ‘League of Denial’ is published, detailing the stories of Webster, Omalu and concussions in the NFL. It was initially broadcast as a PBS series.
2015: 49ers linebacker Chris Borland abruptly retires from football, becoming the first player to walk away in his prime out of fear of long-term brain damage.
