Joe Namath Joins Athletes To Discuss Concussions, Contact Sports … – CBS New York

March 22, 2017 5:41 PM

OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) Concussion awareness has been on the rise for a few years now.

Parents often ask what the best treatments are, and if they should even let their kids play contact sports.

As CBS2s Dr. Max Gomez explained, the science of concussion treatment is changing rapidly, from total brain rest to gradual return to activities soon after an injury.

Theres also been a change in attitudes among professional athletes who have had concussions about letting their kids play.

I know there are a lot of friends and folks out there, I dont even know that can use some guidance and some help, New York Jets legend, Joe Namath said.

Thats why Namath was on Long Island on Wednesday, to take part in the Head Injury Associations Brain Injury Awareness Sports Forum at the New York Institute of Technology.

CBS2s Dr. Gomez moderated the event, as athletes gave varying opinions about their concussions and their sports.

Heavyweight boxer Jerry Cooney and hall of fame jockey Ramon Dominguez dont want their children to follow in their footsteps, while New York Jets John Nitti and Marty Lyons said the life lessons gained from team sports outweighed the risks.

Its something hall of fame running back Curtis Martin said literally saved his life from a violent childhood in Pittsburgh.

The education, the values, the discipline, the camaraderie, you cannot learn these things just walking down the street, Martin said.

He also echoed what New York Islander Bobby Nystrom said that we now have to be smarter and better educated about concussions and their treatment.

Thats what Namaths doctor spoke about.

The clinical trial using hyperbaric oxygen to treat chronic concussions is going on at the Jupiter Medical Center in Florida.

Being able to use oxygen, it helps jump start a lot of the processes in your body and the problem with a brain injury is there are areas that arent getting enough oxygen that have been damaged and theres a possibility to wake those areas up and have them heal themselves, Dr. Barry Miskin said.

Namath himself has had 120 hyperbaric treatments. His brain scans show theyve made a difference that he feels.

Im convinced through the brain scans, through the cognitive tests, its helped me, so I know we can help others, Namath said.

Thats why Joe said hes helping raise money for the FDA approved clinical trial using hyperbaric oxygen. Its currently at the Jupiter Medical Center in Florida, but theyre working to expand the sites to include New York, Los Angeles, and other locations.

Original post:
Joe Namath Joins Athletes To Discuss Concussions, Contact Sports ... - CBS New York