Is There a Link Between ALS and Football?

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by Wendy Henderson |

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In this video from Sports Illustrated, HBO Real Sports reporter Jon Frankel discusses the link between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and American Football.

Gleason documentary follows the story of NFL star Steve Gleason’s journey with ALS. Find out more here. 

In particular, he references the case of Kevin Turner, an NFL running back for the New England Patriots and the Philadephia Eagles who passed away from the disease in March 2016. Turner’s son Nolan also plays college football and Frankel and the host discuss the possibility that he may also develop ALS in the future unless he gives up the game.

Turner fought for better awareness of ALS and the risk that head traumas suffered in contact sports such as American football contribute towards the risk of developing the disease.

Cristiano Ronaldo welcomes former soccer player with ALS to the Bernabeu Stadium. 

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