NFL Thinks Concussions Safer than Online Gambling
The NFL continues to act as the guardian of US morality, lobbying endlessly for the ongoing attempt to ban online gambling in a disingenuous proclamation of the need to protect the US public. But protecting its own players against permanent mental damage may interfere with revenue streams, so the league is less certain of the danger of concussions than it is of that from Internet gaming.After a series of national reports on the hidden data regarding NFL players and brain injuries, the latest news is that the NFL Players Association is challenging the impartiality of the league's co-chairman of the committee studying concussions. According to the union, Dr. Ira Casson has refused to acknowledge objective data indicating the dangers that linger from severe blows to the head.
"We've expressed some serious concern about his ability to continue in his role," NFLPA assistant executive director George Atallah told ESPN. The union official said the NFLPA is alarmed at comments Casson made "discrediting independent research on the subject of concussions and the long-term impact of football on players."
Casson himself is conducting a study on pro football players and the long-term effects of concussions, but statistical experts say the study is invalid based on a conflict of roles by Casson and the insufficient number of individuals included, according to the New York Times.
US legislators hearing recorded testimony of Casson compared his remarks to those from cigarette manufacturers denying the harm in their products.
So, NFL officials have no problem preventing US citizens from enjoying personal freedoms by barring the overwhelming evil it perceives in online gambling, but doesn't see a problem by sending men with bruising of the brain quickly back into action, if it earns the sport a few more dollars. It is clear why Congress would give attention to NFL lobbyists, who are so obviously altruistically worried about the common good.
