Fooball players are damaged in the head

More precisely they have severe damage to their brains as a result of repeated hits to the head. The Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy (CSTE), at the Boston University School of Medicine released a study documenting that the damage found in deceased football players is far worse than anyone had expected. 

"What's been surprising is that it's so extensive," said McKee. "It's throughout the brain, not just on the superficial aspects of the brain, but it's deep inside."

CSTE studies reveal brown tangles flecked throughout the brain tissue of former NFL players who died young -- some as early as their 30s or 40s.

McKee, who also studies Alzheimer's disease, says the tangles closely resemble what might be found in the brain of an 80-year-old with dementia.

"I knew what traumatic brain disease looked like in the very end stages, in the most severe cases," said McKee. "To see the kind of changes we're seeing in 45-year-olds is basically unheard of."

I don't know if better helmets are the cure to this issue, but something needs to be done because this is so not safe.