NFL News 2016: Indiana Colts Player Tyler Varga Reveals Suffering 4-Month Concussion
Since February, the issue regarding concussion-related concerns surrounding the National Football League (NFL) have been at its hottest.
In an article posted by the New York Times, the NFL was questioned for their methods of concussion research, comparing it to how the tobacco industry downplayed the ill effects of cigarette smoking to the public. Last month, a federal judge granted a settlement to some 5,000 retired players worth $15 billion, which in turn guarantees them $5 million each.
It did not, however, address the issue that correlates chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the common finding among the said players. CTE is believed to be caused by concussions. The said concern regarding concussions among NFL players continues to be prevalent topic, and many have begun to come out of the woodwork, revealing their experiences.
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In a report by Zak Keefer for the Indy Star, 22-year-old Indianapolis Colts running back Tyler Varga revealed to have suffered concussions that lasted for four months.
According to Keefer's report, Varga suddenly disappeared after a few days, where he was believed to have been suffering the adverse effects of his concussions. He experienced headaches, dizziness, nausea, and was made to take some drugs, which he had disagreed to.
Varga is currently on team's injured list, and was only able to play a mere three games in 2015, his rookie year. While sidelined, he reveals he refuses to go through the said concussion protocols, mainly due to fear of losing his spot in the team, and eventually rendering him jobless.
"That's the pressure. I can't miss anything. There's no wiggle room," Varga said. "I hardly get any reps in practice as it is, and I'm missing days, I'm getting even fewer. I don't get to show the coaches I know my stuff. And if I don't get to play in the game, I get replaced."
The nature of American Football as a rough contact sport is already an accepted fact in society. Along with it are the injuries such as concussions. And for hopefuls like Varga, they deem it as simply part of the game they love playing.
"I'm pretty sure everybody who plays the game the way we're taught to play it has had some sort of head trauma, and that's the unfortunate truth," Varga said.
