Concussions in Football

When Allen Pinkett became a captain at Notre Dame, he wanted to follow in Dave Duerson's footsteps.

The kind of example Duerson set for Pinkett, he wanted to pass on to younger players coming up in the Fighting Irish football program.

"Really, all I did was think about what Dave did, how he carried himself," Pinkett told the crowd Sunday night at Forest Hills. "That's the model that I used."

Pinkett, who went on to play for the Houston Oilers, was part of a panel that discussed sports head injuries and also served as a tribute to Duerson, who passed away unexpectedly in February.

Duerson was an All-American safety at Notre Dame and went on to play for two Super Bowl champions. He committed suicide, and it is believed concussions he received during his career played a role in his death.

The Muncie native had evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease that afflicts athletes because of repeated brain trauma.

The panel was part of a fundraiser for Wernle Youth and Family Treatment Center. Duerson was scheduled to lead both Sunday's event and today's Wernle Coaches for Kids Golf Classic. Pinkett will host the golf tournament, also at Forest Hills.

Duerson had a huge impact on many different people, said Wernle CEO Darrell Gordon, another Notre Dame football standout.

"He was so excited of having the opportunity to be on our campus, to meet with our young men, to share with them the importance of them staying persistent and committed to the transformation of their lives," Gordon said of Duerson.

"His death has brought attention to a media topic across this nation ... Dave Duerson was a victim and a martyr of this issue."

Speaking on the panel were Pinkett, former NFL players and Richmond natives Vagas Ferguson and Paul Flatley, Indianapolis Colts team physician Henry Feuer, Earlham College coach Gerry Keesling, John Baren of Wernle and Alicia Duerson, who was married to Dave Duerson for 26 years.

The panel was moderated by Dr. Brad Barrett of General Surgeons Inc., in Richmond. Barrett also was a student trainer at Notre Dame when Duerson played there.

Topics included NFL stories, the evolution of helmets and the league's concussion policy.

"I played back in the 60s when your head was a weapon, literally," Flatley said. "You were encouraged to use it for blocking ... There were a lot of hits and there still are. Players today are faster, in better condition than they were 50 years ago and the helmets are better.

"... But you still have collisions. That's the thing about the game. If I were a young parent with kids, should I allow my sons to play the game knowing there is going to be some concussion potential?"

Alicia Duerson noted the need for more education when it comes to head injuries.

"This is like the tip of the iceberg," she said. "People who played along with Dave and behind Dave or in front of Dave, this is only the tip.

"... I would say, along with education, there needs to be major funding. If there is testing out there, or if there is help for them, they need the help."