Science is conclusive on football injuries

Re CFL Concussions: Act on the research, Edito

rial, Nov. 29 Your editorial hit the nail on the head. In his state of the league address last week, CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie stated that the science, which has found significant evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy in the brains of deceased NFL and CFL players, “is inconclusive.”

Although other traumatic events might have contributed to some of the findings, there is little to no doubt from a growing compendium of research that impacts from football were a major factor damaging the brains of the players whose brains were studied.

Mr. Ambrosie is not an expert in science or medicine.

He is, however, demonstrating expert skills as the CFL’s new commissioner and public spokesperson.

His stance might be more believable if he did not have to defend the league in a $200-million class-action lawsuit over concussions and brain trauma. Or if every player going forward had to sign a waiver exempting the CFL from any liability for brain injuries they might suffer while playing in his league. Dr. Calvin Gutkin, MD, Mississauga