Posted on March 24, 2012 · Posted in Brain Injury

LeBron James is a moron.

The Miami Heat basketball player helped perpetuate one of the macho myths about concussions and brain injury following a recent game against the Phoenix Suns, according to an online story by Fox Sports Florida.

http://www.foxsportsflorida.com/03/21/12/LeBron-James-too-tough-to-be-kept-out/landing_heat.html?blockID=692552&feedID=10140

James, you see, crashed headfirst into opponent Grant Hill in the final minute of that game, which the Heat won 99-95. James was laid down on the court for a good two minutes, according to Fox.

After the game, a reporter asked James if he had ever sustained a concussion.

“No, I’m too tough for that,” James answered, according to the Fox story.

Really?

Let’s hope that James isn’t one of the former pro athletes, like a number of  retired football and ice hockey players, who sustained concussions — or were never diagnosed with them — who are now suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, know as CTE, a degenerative brain disease with symptoms very similar to Alzheimer’s.

They thought they were pretty tough guys when they were playing, too.

And there are more than a couple of  players who would be considered “tough” — such as Lem Barney, Otis Anderson, Marvin Jones, Britt Hagar and Leroy Kelly — are now now suing the National Football League over head injuries that they claim have had a devastating, long-term impact on their lives.

There has been wide range of publicity about the dangers of concussions, for youths and adults.

But one comment from a player like James, who is probably idolized by a lot of kids, could probably negate all the education that these youth athletes have gotten on concussions.

After all, if James is “too tough” to get a concussion, shouldn’t they be, too?

 

 

 

About the Author

Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.
Past Chair Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
g@gordonjohnson.com :: 800-992-9447