To the Point
Football and the Cost of Concussions
Do concussions on the football field cause brain damage? Have coaches, team doctors and players themselves been in denial? We hear about growing evidence and some new signals of seriousness from the National Football League. Also, President Obama goes to Copenhagen, and feeding the hungry on Thanksgiving Day. Are you really needed?
By Warren Olney • • 50m ListenDo concussions on the football field cause brain damage? Have coaches, team doctors and players themselves been in denial? We hear about growing evidence and some new signals of seriousness from the National Football League. Also, Afghanistan and Copenhagen on the President's agenda, and why eager volunteers to feed the hungry on Thanksgiving Day may be turned away.
Banner image: Former NFL player Brent Boyd (C) rubs his head while sitting next to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (L) during a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee about football brain injuries on Captiol Hill. Boyd suffers from headaches, depression, fatigue and dizziness caused by what his doctors diagnosed as post-concussion syndrome. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesPresident Obama Goes to Copenhagen
The White House said today that President Obama will announce his plans for Afghanistan on prime time TV this coming Tuesday. Later next month, he'll attend the climate negotiations in Copenhagen and commit the US to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.
Read the story7 minFootball and the Cost of Concussions
As a long weekend full of football gets under way, the National Football League is on the defensive over the long-term effects of concussions. There's increasing evidence that multiple head-pounding produces brain disease akin to Alzheimer's, but official recognition has been a long-time coming.
Read the story37 minHelping the Hungry, beyond Thanksgiving Day
Tomorrow's the day when millions of Americans get serious about feeding the hungry. These "armies of compassion" volunteer for duty at pantries and food kitchens around the country to provide help for those less fortunate than themselves. Does that help to solve America's problem with hunger?
Read the story6 min
