Joe Namath is the latest former NFL player who has admitted the concussions he suffered during his career have had negative, long-lasting effects.
Namath, famous for guaranteeing the Jets’ Super Bowl victory in 1969 and then going out and backing up his words with a shocking takedown of the heavily favored Colts, told “CBS Sunday Morning” in an upcoming interview head injuries sustained during his playing career have adversely affected his health.
“I’ve been [through some] things medically,” he told CBS’ Rita Braver. “I’ve seen some things on my brain. But I’ve had some treatment — and improved.”
Namath added the sport is not natural for humans to play.
“None of the body was designed to play football,” he said. “Excuse me, you know, football, we’re just not designed for.”
The Hall of Fame quarterback is the latest player to admit he suffers damaging side effects from concussions, such as memory loss, dementia and chronic traumatic encelopathy (CTE), along with other conditions.
Namath also had knee problems and, in 1992, he had both knees replaced.
The issue of concussions is a hot topic right now. On Jan. 14, U.S. District Judge Anita Brody struck down a $765 million settlement the NFL had reached with more than 4,500 former players who sued the league, saying that the settlement was inadequate.
“I am primarily concerned that not all retired NFL football players who ultimately receive a qualifying diagnosis or their [families] … will be paid,” Brody wrote in her decision.
“Even if only 10 percent of retired NFL football players eventually receive a qualifying diagnosis, it is difficult to see how the Monetary Award Fund would have the funds available over its lifespan to pay all claimants at these significant award levels.”