NHLPA Takes a Stand Against the League and Reveals New Program Advocating for Players Suffering From CTE
NHL Players association director Marty Walsh made a huge announcement tonight, revealing that the NHL player's union is taking a step towards player safety in regards to CTE.
CTE or Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is a disease that affects the brain and cannot be detected until after the individual has passed away. However, it is believed to be associated with repeated blows to the head and may be linked to frequent concussions as well. It is common among former professional athletes especially American football players, but it has been of growing concern among NHL players as well.
Last night, Marty Walsh announced through NHL insider Frank Seravalli that the player's union has voted to establish a CTE advisory committee, the first time a legal entity in the hockey world has officially recognized the impacts of the disease.
As recently as earlier this year, Gary Bettman and the official league stance has been that CTE is not a major concern for NHL players. In fact, he has continuously denied the prevalence of CTE and its impact on retired players for many years. Hopefully, this is an indication that the league is moving on from this narrative and that they will embrace the science and truth behind the matter.
With any luck, this will be the beginning of a new era in the NHL. An era where player safety takes priority over everything else. While we all understand that the NHL is a business, at the end of the day the health and safety of the players should be the number one priority, even over revenue and profits. If this means retired players will finally get benefits and help adapting to their lives after their careers, it would be a huge win for our favorite athletes.
Not only is this the correct path forward for the league, but it is the right thing to do. Be sure to stay tuned in the coming days to see if Gary Bettman himself comments on this development. Knowing his history, he may attempt to continue to avoid the issue, but if he is serious about keeping his job and doing it well, he may finally have to bend. Perhaps if he does he won't even get boos the next time he has a public speech.
