17°c Partly cloudy
22°c Thundershowers
Blue Bomber Report Record: 0–0–0
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Bomber players resigned to risks
WINNIPEG Blue Bombers players reacted Tuesday with a mixture of sympathy and resignation to the news former nose tackle Doug MacIver had the same degenerative brain disease that's been found in other deceased football players when he died of a heart attack earlier this year.
"It's scary. A lot of the new results coming out haven't been very promising," Bombers safety Ian Logan said Tuesday.
Related Items
"I can't say I've noticed any real effects yet. I haven't suffered any concussions that have been diagnosed. But at the same time, it's such a violent sport, you have to wonder what the long-term damage is from this.
"It will be interesting to see how long football lasts as a sport if these results keep coming back. But at the same time, this is what I do as a profession. I've got to ride it until it's done, for now."
The Globe and Mail's Allan Maki reported in Tuesday's edition that doctors at Boston University who had dissected MacIver's brain found he was suffering from "moderately advanced" chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) when he died Jan. 26. Doctors informed the MacIver family of their findings late last week.
MacIver, who was 58 when he died, played nine CFL seasons, three of them in Winnipeg including the Grey Cup-winning season in 1984. CTE is believed to be caused by brain trauma.
Doctors at Boston University have examined the brains of 19 late NFL players and discovered CTE in 18 of them. That's a sobering statistic, but Bombers offensive lineman Glenn January says it also needs to be put into context.
"There's a lot of other factors you have to consider when you break down the players from the '70s and '80s to the players of this day and age. Lifestyles are different, there's less head-to-head contact and also back in the day they were taking some things that might not have been good for them, especially in that O-line and D-line position.
"I think you know what I'm talking about. And I'm not saying (MacIver) did that, but it's just a general statement that they didn't really know how detrimental certain supplements and performance-enhancing things could be to the body. So yeah, it is something that you have to worry about, but at the same time we're straw dogs and we have to realize that we have to enjoy our time on top while it's here."
-- Paul Wiecek
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 19, 2012 C2
More Bomber Report
- Back to Top
- Return to Bomber Report
Poll
Most Popular Bomber Report
- Burke discontinues walk-throughs ahead of Ticats game
- Hef will be Huf's SAM
- Blue hope the future is now
- Garrett's fire still burning
- Burke keeps mum on which starting jobs still to be won
- Forewarned is forearmed, Blue fans
- QB Goltz plays game of thrones
- Burke reaches out to his veterans
- Blue offence must make teams pay for blitzing Buck
- Mack, Burke give each other room to do their jobs
- Bombers admit a lot of work to do
- CFL tells Bombers to fix press box
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers release Jonathan Hefney
- Hefney decision is mine: Burke
- Brett Cameron among Bomber cuts
- Etienne grabs a clue
- QB Hall discovers three less than four
- New era begins with errors
- Bombers leaving veterans at home for game against Ticats
- Bombers receive no love from oddsmakers
- Bombers admit a lot of work to do
- CFL tells Bombers to fix press box
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers release Jonathan Hefney
- Burke cracks down after tempers flare at Bomber practice
- Hefney decision is mine: Burke
- Bombers' Hefney charged with marijuana possession in S.C.
- Bombers lose 24-6 to Argos in Investors Group Field debut
- Don't count out former NFLer as QBs battle for backup position
- Brett Cameron among Bomber cuts
- New era begins with errors
- Blue offence must make teams pay for blitzing Buck
- CFL game an eye-opener
- Hef will be Huf's SAM
- Burke discontinues walk-throughs ahead of Ticats game
- Bombers admit a lot of work to do
- Burke picks up pieces of pre-season pummeling
- Critical numbers
- CFL tells Bombers to fix press box
- Big Blue 10-1 dogs to win Grey Cup
- New era begins with errors
- Brett Cameron among Bomber cuts
- CFL game an eye-opener
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers release Jonathan Hefney
- Blue offence must make teams pay for blitzing Buck
- Buck 'goes long' for Winnipeg
- The Burke identity
- Freight train at fullback
- Bombers admit a lot of work to do
- Bomber greats to adorn gates
- Don't count out former NFLer as QBs battle for backup position
- Not enough gates to honour Blue greats
- Bombers' Hefney charged with marijuana possession in S.C.
- New era begins with errors
- Burke picks up pieces of pre-season pummeling
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.