A recent study at a prominent university's Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy may be of interest for Toms River residents. The study found a severe brain disease in 14 out of 15 of the former NFL players evaluated. The disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, affects the brain similarly to dementia. The study shows that the former players all had one thing in common: repeated blows to the head, concussive, sub-concussive or both.

When watching professional football, it seems like the players hit each other with the force of semi-trucks. Although there are measures in place to protect players, like prohibitions against helmet-first tackles and "horse-collar" tackles, many complain that the rules are inadequate and not properly enforced.

A slew of lawsuits have been filed against the NFL in states including New Jersey. A panel of judges recently ruled that the many, scattered claims will be consolidated at one court. If the former players and their families win the lawsuits, part of the claims will be used to create a fund for former players.

The allegations launched by former players and their families include that the NFL knew about the dangers of repeated head trauma and misled players. The NFL counters that player safety has long been a priority and they continue to do their best to protect players while furthering scientific and medical understanding of the treatment of head trauma.

Claimants complain of symptoms as varied as headaches, sleeplessness and dementia. One former player from New Jersey has suffered bouts of depression and memory loss. He has been retired for more than a decade from the Jets. His wife says that the worst part is not necessarily dealing with the symptoms, but dealing with them alone. She hopes that a support group can be organized for the families of suffering players.

The legal battle is expected to be a drawn-out process, and new plaintiffs are emerging periodically.

Source: CNN, "Head-trauma lawsuits against NFL swell," David Ariosto, Feb. 4, 2012