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The Decline of Football: Rolf B. Gainer is interviewed
Rolf B. Gainer, PhD
Our Chief Executive Officer, Rolf B. Gainer, PhD was interviewed by Ben Orlando for his podcast, “History Repeating Itself.” In talking about brain injury as a result of football, Dr. Gainer referenced a study conducted by Dr. Dorothy Otnow Lewis involving inmates on death row. It is beginning to be recognized that brain injury is the root cause of many of our violent offenders.
Lisa McHale is also interviewed in this episode. Lisa talks about the loss of her husband, Tom McHale, who was a lineman with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tom was diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), struggled with depression and addiction to painkillers. He ultimately passed away due to an accidental drug overdose. Lisa was also interviewed by Frontline for “League of Denial” about the way in which the National Football League has dealt with brain injury and its connection to the sport of football.
The moral and ethical arguments against watching football are discussed. Also, improvements in helmets for football are debunked as protective factors for brain injury. Economic concerns about the true cost of injuries sustained in the sport is explored. Dr. Gainer estimates a cost of $20 million dollars for treatment and care over the lifetime of a young man with brain injury.
Click here to listen to Episode 1, Part 3 of the podcast.
