Woods not worried about the risks
Toronto linebacker ‘made mind up a long time ago’ he was playing football
Argos linebacker Jonathan (Bear) Woods had never been diagnosed with a concussion before last Monday’s win over Ottawa.
Even after leaving that game following a helmet-on-helmet collision that left him woozy and undergoing a league-mandated concussion protocol, the 30-year-old still isn’t convinced he suffered one. He suffered no lingering symptoms and passed tests that measured his cognitive functioning.
The 30-year-old is aware of the study revealing that110 of111brains of former NFL players donated to Boston University researchers showed signs of CTE, a degenerative disorder caused by repeated blows to the head. And he appreciates league rules that forced him to sit out and required him to pass a neurological exam to prove he was fit to return to play.
But Woods says he’s more than comfortable with the risk he assumes each time he suits up, and says a few days spent in the CFL’s concussion protocol won’t dissuade him from hitting hard, and head-on if necessary.
“I know what I’m doing. I’m playing pro football. I put on a helmet so I can smack another grown man,” Woods said. “I made my mind up a long time ago that I’m playing football. It’s a physical sport.”
Earlier this year the NFL reached a billion-dollar settlement in a classaction suit involving thousands of former players who are either living with or have died from chronic brain injuries incurred on the football field.
A 2013 version of the settlement was capped at $765 million, but the number was revised when a judge determined the figure wasn’t big enough to cover all the claimants.
The CFL is currently facing two lawsuits from players over the longterm effects of concussions — a class action claim in Ontario and separate legal action in B.C. from long-time CFL receiver Garland Bruce III.
Earlier this week veteran NFL receiver and former Montreal Alouette Andrew Hawkins retired from pro football, and announced he would donated his brain to researchers upon his death.
While Woods addressed reporters Baltimore Ravens lineman John Urschel retired at age 28, with sources close to him telling the reporters the recent CTE study influenced his decision.
Those developments have many observers questioning the sport’s long-term viability, Woods says his main concern is that safety concerns will drain the sport of the toughness that attracts him to it.
“He wanted the first down and I wanted to stop him from getting the first down, and any rule that stops me from being able to make that exact play, I’m not for it,” Woods said.
Woods has been medically cleared and will play Saturday in Saskatchewan.