On Scoreline recently we chatted Dr. William Stewart from The University of Glasgow . Dr. Stewart is one of the worlds top neuropathologists and someone who is leading the charge for safer protocols for athletes in the effort to protect their brain.
The recent cases of both Bobby Charlton and indeed Jack Charlton who both were diagnosed with Dementia has maybe help shine a spotlight of brain trauma occurring through the sport, all though this issue has been noticed in footballers for a long time. Certain rules are being implemented by various bodies, such as banning heading the ball at schoolboy level, while Ryan Mason who had to retire due to a head injury said he thinks the action will be removed from football all together in the next 10 – 15 years.
As someone who has had numerous head injuries due to trying to get my head on things, I found our conversation quite encouraging. All though I do love the art of heading, it significantly amplifies the risk of exterior and interior head injury.
******Graphic Photo******
My football photo…
Lesson head the ball not the teammate #football #CCFC pic.twitter.com/mAn511onPW
— ShaneOk (@Sirsok1) March 30, 2020
Rugby is also under the microscope with various people bringing lawsuits against World Rugby. Dr. Stewart who is on the World Rugby independent Concussion Advisory Group, has called for vast changes in regards the way the game is referred and has been an advocate ceasing contact in training. It’s also been suggested that players should obtain a license after receiving a brain scan to make them eligible to play.
Have a listen to the full interview here.
