Dwight Clark has ALS

[row_33]

I have a friend who did that. He decided watching football was hypocritical if he wasn't going to allow his sons to play.

 

ALS is the worst disease ever; very sad for Clark.

 

Niners prized rookie packed it in. With the restrictions on rookie contracts it isn't worth it if you feel at risk.

 

Yup, there's a hypocrisy out there, I watch and attend boxing title fights, I won't watch MMA/UFC or that stuff, I won't watch women try to destroy each other. I watch tons of college and pro football each weekend and on weeknights and will continue to do so.

[BillsFan130]

Such a scary disease, and scary to think football is likely a trigger for it

[bobobonators]

Such a scary disease, and scary to think football is likely a trigger for it

I dont know if we can even use likely yet. Theres is nothing even remotely conclusive as to cause/effect of head trauma to ALS. We dont even have a specific test for ALS. Its sad that there has been such little progress with respect to ALS over the last 100yrs.

[without a drought]

If anyone wants a really good cry, watch "Gleason" it's on Amazon prime, it shows what ALS does to a person. It breaks my heart every time I see him.

Also available is the documentary "Not Dead Yet" which chronicles the story of Jason Becker, the brilliant guitar prodigy who was stricken by the disease as his career was just starting to take off. It's both depressing and inspirational.

[row_33]

I dont know if we can even use likely yet. Theres is nothing even remotely conclusive as to cause/effect of head trauma to ALS. We dont even have a specific test for ALS. Its sad that there has been such little progress with respect to ALS over the last 100yrs.

 

They sure stated with near 100% certainty that Gehrig got it from football injuries when someone was trying to sell their book... typical fake news...

[BillsFan130]

I dont know if we can even use likely yet. Theres is nothing even remotely conclusive as to cause/effect of head trauma to ALS. We dont even have a specific test for ALS. Its sad that there has been such little progress with respect to ALS over the last 100yrs.

You're correct in saying there is no direct evidence to point that way, but don't you think that it's a big red flag that ex football players seem to get diagnosed with ALS more frequently to other sports like baseball or basketball? (Non head contact sports) I think sometimes logic trumps evidence (outside of the court of law of course)

[WGBillsFan]

prayers.

[Malazan]

 

A major problem is team doctors telling them they are 100% okay to go back out there when they clearly aren't recovered from a concussion. refusing to stand by the obviously shaken player.

 

Yet, you almost never hear about players taking issue with a team doctor's diagnosis until after they paychecks stop. You also hear about players hiding their symptoms so they can play.

Edited March 20, 2017 by jeremy2020

[bobobonators]

You're correct in saying there is no direct evidence to point that way, but don't you think that it's a big red flag that ex football players seem to get diagnosed with ALS more frequently to other sports like baseball or basketball? (Non head contact sports) I think sometimes logic trumps evidence (outside of the court of law of course)

Its certainly something that needs to be looked at further but its not even remotely scientific. ALS affects women at almost equal numbers. Looking at a group of 1000 people in the NFL in a non controlled study is not logical its purely anecdotal and dangerous bc thats how false information is created. Sure, there actually may be something to it but we dont know that yet, so why jump to conclusions. There is so much bs out there that we dont need to perpetute it further.

[BillsFan130]

Its certainly something that needs to be looked at further but its not even remotely scientific. ALS affects women at almost equal numbers. Looking at a group of 1000 people in the NFL in a non controlled study is not logical its purely anecdotal and dangerous bc thats how false information is created. Sure, there actually may be something to it but we dont know that yet, so why jump to conclusions. There is so much bs out there that we dont need to perpetute it further.

Ya I hear ya. I am not jumping to conclusions and saying football is a direct cause to ALS. All I am saying is there are a lot of red flags out there, and to your point, it really needs to be looked at further

[Mr Info]

Good to see several active clinical studies evaluating both new components along with re-use of existing therapies for treatment of ALS:

 

https://www.mda.org/research/clinical-studies-and-trials/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis

 

Best to Mr. Clark and others afflicted with ALS.

[BillsFan130]

Its certainly something that needs to be looked at further but its not even remotely scientific. ALS affects women at almost equal numbers. Looking at a group of 1000 people in the NFL in a non controlled study is not logical its purely anecdotal and dangerous bc thats how false information is created. Sure, there actually may be something to it but we dont know that yet, so why jump to conclusions. There is so much bs out there that we dont need to perpetute it further.

https://breakingmuscle.com/learn/pro-football-players-have-4-times-greater-risk-of-als-and-alzheimers

Article showing pro football players have 4 times greater risk of ALS and Alzheimer's

[dave mcbride]

I dont know if we can even use likely yet. Theres is nothing even remotely conclusive as to cause/effect of head trauma to ALS. We dont even have a specific test for ALS. Its sad that there has been such little progress with respect to ALS over the last 100yrs.

Not a certainty; more like 99.4 percent.

[Doc Brown]

Why don't you just quit following football if it bothers you that much?

Because I've been a die hard Bills fan for 30 years and football is the best sport in the world to watch. I watch boxing, but would never enter the ring.

[Boatdrinks]

Look, it's too bad. But it is a choice. Although the players of the past didn't make as much money, it now comes down to this. Would you take a shorter life in exchange for a lot of money, perhaps millions of dollars? And being an NFL player and everything that comes with it? I still think many would do it , even though the known risks are more highly publicized than ever. Guys continue to play hockey even though concussions are common in the sport. Most of those players are probably not from disadvantaged backgrounds either. So the lure of fame and money can trump a lot of physical concerns. Especially at a young age where one may feel somewhat invincible anyway, and a few decades down the road seems like a lifetime.

[CowgirlsFan]

Horribly sad and heartbreaking even for a Cowboys fan.

[ohio bob]

I feel for him and his family. I pray for a treatment to combat this horrible disease.

[Punching Bag]

I think blame will always be aimed at those who have money which laywers think they can pry them from and any sport with settlements will be a top target.

NFL has many multiples of players including training, preseason, etc compared to other sports and NFL is the target.

Most of the players in claims played other sports including college football but those are not being targeted like NFL.

And there other factors which factor into this including alcohol, drugs, outside activities, etc.

 

I will worry about the NFL players when their representatives, the NFLPA, is more concerned with protecting players than protecting the head hunting players from penalties and suspensions for such hits.

 

 

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18955466/san-francisco-49ers-legend-dwight-clark-diagnosed-als

 

Also on Sunday, Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly took to Instagram in support of Clark after his announcement.

 

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

...just devastating...lost two HS classmates to it....a good friend of mine, a retired U.S. Marshall lost THREE siblings to it....scared to death about when or if.....NONE played football...

Edited March 20, 2017 by OldTimeAFLGuy

[Chicken Boo]

I lost a cousin to ALS in December 2013. I knew very little about the disease up until that point. It's beyond awful.

 

I know the money raised during the ALS Challenge actually helped scientists to find a way to slow the disease, but it's not nearly enough. Strides need to be made.

 

I wish strength for Dwight, his family and friends during this trying time.