Researchers Find Out What Was On Reggie Fleming's Mind

Concussion researchers have been examining the damaged brain of the late Reggie Fleming, finding disturbing results.

Fleming, a very rugged and helmetless player from 1959 to 1971 and unofficially had 20 concussions, was found to have "chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease known to cause cognitive decline, behavioral abnormalities and ultimately dementia." The symptoms are said to mirror Alzheimer's Disease. It's a fascinating read, and I highly encourage you to do so.

Similar tests have been done on deceased boxers and football players with similar alarming results are alarming. Make no mistake, repeated head trauma from contact sporting have long term, scary impacts. Many of these impacts are not easily diagnosable until after death, and are misinterpreted as other ailments, resulting in mistreatment.

The results of this study were perhaps released a day too late. Because the NHL should have to answer to this study's findings when justifying not suspending David Koci and Jarkko Ruutu for their recent head shot incidents.