Ochocinco’s Unvarnished Truth: ‘NFL Is Nasty, Dirty & Violent’
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By DERON SNYDER
The hits keep on coming in the NFL. Not the brain-rattling, bone-breaking blows that can occur during the season on any given Sunday, but wave after wave of negative publicity, mounting lawsuits and critical commentaries. It’s all part of our ongoing wrestling match, which pits our love for football against the game’s regretful consequences.
When former NFL linebacker Junior Seau committed suicide with a gunshot to his chest earlier this month, it reminded us of former NFL player Dave Duerson, who took his life in similar fashion in February last year. Duerson wanted his brain to be studied and researchers discovered the same trauma-induced disease – chronic traumatic encephalopathy – found in more than 20 deceased players.
Last week, Hall of Fame receiver Art Monk joined the growing group of former NFL players who are suing the league for allegedly failing to protect them against the impact of concussions during their playing careers. According to NFLConcussionLitigation.com, approximately 2,023 total plaintiffs are named in 73 complaints against the NFL.
All of that led New England receiver Chad Ochocinco to write an open letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, stating that we’ve reached “a crucial point in the history of football.” Ochocinco, who said “the foundation of the game is in jeopardy” and Goodell is going to shape the future, suggested that marketing is part of the league’s problem.
