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Home , Amy Adams Strunk, Bennet Omalu, Bob McNair, Bryan Glazer, Daniel Snyder, David Tepper

BC High MUN 29 NFL CTE

Chair: Alex Pinarchick Co- Chair: Luc St. Mary

BC High MUN 29 Table of Contents

I. Message from Chairs

II. Why Have a Committee?

III. History of CTE

IV. Current Issue

V. Profiles

VI. Questions to Consider

I) Message from Chairs

Alex Pinarchick:

Hello delegates and welcome to BC High Model UN Conference XXIX. We are very happy to be hosting committees during this strange year and would like to thank you for giving this online thing a shot. I am very excited to be a chair for this specific committee because a few years ago I did a similar committee which was at my first Model UN conference. I have been a part of

Model UN for 3 years and have gone to a few high school conferences and two college conferences which includes NAIMUN and WMHSMUN (Georgetown and William & Mary). It was very interesting to hear different things from people across the country instead of the state. I know that we can have a very good discussion on the topic today as NFL CTE. Please send me your position papers at my email address below so that I may consider them for awards. [email protected]

Luc St. Mary:

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BC High MUN 29 Hello delegates welcome all to this BC High Model United Nations. I would like to say we are happy to have you here in this committee to discuss the problems with CTE. I will be the co-chair to this committee and my name is Luc St. Mary. I have been involved in model UN for the past three years. My greatest experience through Model UN is last year's trip to Virginia for a conference. Through this experience I was able to discuss and come up with solutions with the topic. This conference was so great because I was able to work and discuss with people from all over the country. I am thrilled to be the co-chair for this topic of CTE. I am a big fan of the NFL and think that this is an important discussion to have for the future of the NFL in being able for the players to be safe. [email protected]

II) Why have a committee?

This committee is called upon to discuss players' brain injuries including CTE protocols.

In this meeting, NFL owners, former players, and doctors will discuss further action to take to limit the risk of head injuries on players for both their health and safety. There are numerous solutions and ways to combat head injuries, but only the owners can make change happen in the league. Use your time wisely as this is a one day committee as players and fans demand change.

Remember, there have been many lawsuits against the NFL from retired players and their injuries such as aneurysms and strokes.

III) History of CTE

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The first case of CTE was in 1928 and was located in the brain of a boxer. At the time this was not considered to be CTE or no one had ever seen anything like it, DR. Harrison

MArtland has described boxers having “punch drunk syndrome”. Through the following years many other boxers were noticed to have the same symptoms and brain trauma. There were fewer than 50 cases confirmed, but all came from boxers. CTE is formally known as Chronic

Traumatic encephalopathy and was first used that name by Dr. Macdonald Critchley in 1949 and was referring to the boxers that were seen with this brain trauma.

It wasn’t until 2005 when the first case of CTE was ofícialos published with evidence by

Bennet Omalu. This CTE was found in the brain of a former Steeler .

The legend Mike Webster was one of the best centers to play in the NFL. This hall of famer had four rings along with attending nine pro bowls. Webster played in 220 games which is the most games played in Steeler history. Most NFL players have a hard time adjusting to a new lifestyle after the NFL, but this legend had an especially hard time. After Webster retired he became lethargic, he forgot how to eat, one day peed in the oven, and would often wander around Pittsburgh with guns threatening people. Physically he lost teeth and would have to zap himself with a taser just to become unconscious and get some sleep.

Due to all this strange behavior and being so sick, he unfortunately died at age 50.

Pathologist Bennet Omalu noticed this strange behavior and questioned if it could be the

“punch-drunk syndrome” that had been called in boxers. He had thought how if a boxer can get this from many blows to the brain, this could also very easily happen to an NFL player getting hit in the head. Most would think that helmets would protect one from CTE, but is not the case because how easy it is for the brain to be shook around and cause damage and Omalu knew that.

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And sure enough he was right and noticed black spots in his brain. This was the first diagnosis of CTE being in the NFL and currently not the last leading to the current issue.

IV) Current Issue

Even to this day there is no cure for this disease. Today’s issue is that they are seeing signs and cases of CTE in many former NFL players that are now retired. And this may seem like the case of CTE only being visible and occurring to people that are older, but not necessarily the case. There have been many cases of CTE being most prevalent in players that play the most games not necessarily by age. Today there are many cases of people dying young due to CTE like former safety Tyler Sash died at 27. Or many are familiar with Aaron Hernandez who after getting an autopsy saw that he had suffered from severe state 3 CTE and died at 27. Today’s problem with the NFL is that they like to hide this information.

There is clearly a problem with CTE existing in football and now it is up to the organization to fix this problem not keep a blind eye to it. The NFL player safety standards are not what they should be able to protect players' brains. Until 2012 the NFL would not share the data on player concussions. Concussion protocols are also not what they should be and mediocre at best. During a game a player can get a helmet to helmet and can get a “concussion protocol” just on the sideline. Then after they are not safely cleared on the sideline, they are free to get back in the game and only cause more damage to their brain.

This is no surprise that the NFL chooses to hide this information about CTE. For CTE is a serious threat to the whole organization. The NFL brings in some serious revenue, so they are not interested in anything that harms the future of the organization, therefore leaving to hide it

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and get around it. For example the commissioner, Roger Gooddell, is aiming for 25 billion dollars of annual revenue by 2027. This amount of money drives Goodwell to do all he can to keep the organization out of shutting down. The league donates millions of dollars to brain research organizations, but hasn’t stopped the amount of concussions occurring in the league.

Although all this research, from 2018-2019 there has been a 44% increase in concussion in the preseason. This clearly indicates the problem of although the NFL is dumping millions of dollars into research, that is just for show and not actually doing anything to help this problem.

Since 2012 where the NFL started releasing the amount of concussions that occur in the NFL the year to year concussions have remained relatively constant. Due to all these concussions it questions what the NFL is really doing for the players to help them from concussions and head trauma like CTE.

Some that the NFL has already started doing is new technology for the helmets. The NFL is also putting in new rules that are all towards the right directions. The more awareness of CTE and how dangerous it is to play football long lasting. This has encouraged many to retire early,

Andrew Luck for example. Retired at the age of 29 and retired early while still being debatibily in his prime. This is encouraged by the dangers of CTE. No one is looking for players to retire early for fear in their brain, but should be able to play this great sport safety. Not many want this great organization or the sport to go away, but there needs to be some more precocious put into place to keep this sport great.

Some problems or obstacles that could be at stake during this topic is each delegate will have to dig deep to find information about CTE. The NFL likes to hide this information because they don't want the organization to be exposed. Each delegate is going to have to find this

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information and put away biased information. I understand that delegates in this conference are going to have biased information based on each team they are assigned to but it is important to stay clear from those and speak to the best for the players and the future of the game not just money purposes.

A strength in this topic is each franchise has the power and ability to make a difference in the future of the health of players and the future of the NFL. CTE is a very deadly and real problem that is occurring in the NFL. It is up to each delegate to use their strengths and work together to come up with the best possible solution. There are ways to come up with solutions that can change the trajectory of CTE occurring in the NFL.

V) Profiles

Roger Goodell: ​NFL Commissioner

Stance: ​Does not believe there needs to be change.

After the study was released in 2017, believes that most players will endure CTE and nothing can be changed about it. He says, “The​ average NFL player lives five years longer than you, so their lifespan is actually longer and healthier”.

Dan Rooney: Owner​ of the

Stance: Wants​ players to be safe while playing.

An article released by Fox Sports gives a few owners stances on CTE in the NFL. Rooney says that Pittsburgh has a great clinic called the UPMC that is making great strides to help prevent future concussions with research.

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Gayle Benson: Owner​ of the Saints

Stance: Unknown​

We do not know about ’s opinion on CTE, but he has stated in the past that players should always submit themselves for CTE testing after a big hit.

Amy Adams Strunk: Owner​ of the

Stance: ​Unknown

Amy Adams Struck has not said her stance on CTE. Though in an article written by the New​

York Post states that the CTE in players has made the teams value go down. ​ is a business woman and she most likely wants the team to thrive no matter what, even if it is in investing in safer ways for players to play.

David Tepper: Owner​ of the

Stance: Wants​ players to be less injury prone.

In many articles, has said that he wants the league to be a more safe place for athletes to compete. He says that the league is in a time right now where big changes are coming and that he’s all for it.

Clark Hunt: Owner​ of the

Stance: Believes​ the NFL is good as it is.

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Clark Hunt has been sued many times by former players of the Kansas City Chiefs. He believes that the NFL is not responsible for the dangers athletes put themselves into when they step on the field.

Mike Brown: Owner​ of the

Stance: Believes​ more needs to be learned before action.

Mike Brown has stated that he believes that there is not enough information about CTE and concussions in the long term to do anything about the game right now. If there were some definitive evidence maybe he could be turned to creating change?

Bob McNair: Owner​ of the Texans

Stance: That​ football and brain disease are not related.

An article written by the Washington​ Post states that Bob McNair does not believe that there is ​ evidence to link football and brain disease like CTE. Some proof may convince him to join the other side. Similar situation to Mike Brown.

Woody Johnson: Owner​ of the Jets

Stance: Pushing​ back on CTE accusations.

Woody Johnson has refused to comment on CTE in the past and when he does, he says that he is not in a position to speak about it. He also has pressed an idea of there not being a link between football and CTE.

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BC High MUN 29 : Owner​ of the

Stance: Against​ rule changes on CTE.

In the past, Daniel Snyder has blocked benefits for injured players due to CTE. He is in favor of not changing any rules that will affect the game and how it is played.

Robert Kraft: Owner​ of the

Stance: For​ change to keep players safe.

In 2017, headed international efforts to help improve helmets and rules in the NFL to further prevent concussions and CTE. He also has invested in new equipment which can help when injuries occur on game day.

Jeffery Lurie: Owner​ of the

Stance: No​ official stance.

Although Jeffery Lurie has no official stance, his ex wife and Eagles minority owner has. She says that the rules of the NFL may need to be changed a little. But she is more concerned with the children as 10 year olds have brains that have not been fully formed yet.

Jody Allen: Owner​ of the Seahawks

Stance: In​ favor of more CTE research.

Jody Allen was put in charge of the team when her brother died. Before he died he spent a few million dollars on further CTE research. We can assume that she is in favor of more research into the topic as her brother was.

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BC High MUN 29 Brittany Bowlen: Future​ ​owner​ of the

Stance: In​ favor of rule change.

The Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen died in 2019 from alzheimers and the Broncos currently do not have an official owner. However, it is said that his daughter Brittany Bowlen will become the new owner, and will want to see change as her father died of a brain injury.

Jerry Jones: Owner​ of the

Stance: Does​ not believe that there is a connection between football and CTE.

In an article by Bleacher Report, Jerry says that he does not believe that there is a relationship between playing football and CTE. Although, he does say that safety for players has changed over the years and that is a good thing. Maybe some proof can change him to the other side?

Jim Irsay: Owner​ of the

Stance: The​ owner of the Indianapolis Colts does not think there is a relationship between football and CTE. Jim Irsay believes that the only reason why CTE is a problem in the

NFL is so news broadcasters get money for a good story. Jim Irsay thinks that companies look for reasons to pick apart the NFL and just use CTE as one of them.

Denise York: Owner​ of the

Stance: Ever​ since Denise's York’s father purchased the team in 1977, she has been a part of the team. Denise took leadership in 2001. Her Father John is the chairman of NFL’s health and safety advisory committee, so would assume that the organization is all for changing the game to make it safer

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Bryan Glazer: Owner​ of the

Stance: Bryan​ Glazer and the Buccaneers organization is all for making the game safer and working on the problems of CTE. The teams old President Gay Culverhouse died about 8 months ago. He played an important role in CTE and was very passionate about making the game safer.

Zygi Wilf: Owner​ of the

Stance: Although​ there has been no official comment from , the Minnesota Vikings have called the finds of the 2017 study disturbing. Four out of the 111 dead NFL players from the study were former Vikings.

Terry Pegula: Owner​ of the

Stance: Terry​ Pegula is someone who thinks that the problem with the NFL is the health and safety. is on the committee for health and safety. He attributes it to fighting for the safety of players.

Stephen M Ross: Owner of the ​ Stance: While it is unknown what opinion Stephen Ross has on CTE, we can see that it affects ​ their past teams. We can see that the whole team of the perfect 72’ Dolphins has been affected by CTE, and we can assume that Ross will want to make a change if their evidence is solid.

Sheila Ford Hamp: Owner of the ​

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Stance: Hamp has no official stance on CTE. However, former players such as Deandre Levy ​ have come out to speak against their former teams and how they are pushing CTE to the back of priorities.

Steve Tisch: Owner of the ​ Stance: believes in research for CTE. In 2019 he pledged 10 million dollars to the ​ UCLA BrainSPORT program. The money will go to further research into CTE.

Stan Kroenke: Owner of the ​ Stance: Kroenke has no clear stance but many Rams players had CTE in the past. ​

Virginia Halas McCaskey: Owner of the Bears ​ Stance: McCaskey has not officially addressed the topic but supports player health. He believes ​ the league is moving in the right direction in terms of player health as well.

VI) Questions to Consider

1. Is there a way to raise funds to help research and reduce CTE? Or should the money be coming out of your profits?

2. Should rules and regulations change?

3. Should there be more helmet research to help protect players?

4. The NFL has made 47 rule changes in the past 19 years to help protect players from CTE.

Have these rule changes affected the game and how it is played?

5. Is CTE even avoidable? A 2017 survey said that 110 out of 111 of retired NFL players had

CTE.

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