Play It Cool’s Chief Relations Officer Speaks out on CTE

Toronto, ON: According to statements released by The Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy and Sports Legacy Institute on Thursday, March 3, 2011 confirmed the late Bob Probert had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). “It’s bittersweet for hockey.” Play It Cools’ Chief Relations Officer Keith Primeau said.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive degenerative disease of the brain found in athletes (and others) with a history of repetitive brain trauma, including symptomatic concussions as well as asymptomatic subconcussive hits to the head.

“I think my biggest fear is the day I notice a change and the change will be rapid and that scares me.” Said Primeau. April 2, 2009 Primeau became one of the first former NHL players to donate his brain to Boston Sports Legacy Institute, pioneering the way for over 10 other players including the late Bob Probert.

One of the reasons Dani Probert wanted to make this public is to get others involved. We don’t really understand a whole lot about this disease and can’t diagnose it in living people and there is no cure. A cure is the end goal, and how to prevent it in current athletes.

Sidney Crosby is suffering from post concussion syndrome. That doesn’t necessarily mean it will lead to CTE in the future, the actual disease. “I’m happy to see Crosby resting with his concussion until his symptoms clear, because that’s something we didn’t do in the past, and that has cost a lot of people their careers.” said Play It Cool’s Kerry Goulet. “A lot of hockey players that are in the high-risk category have taken unnecessary gambles with brain trauma.” There’s a little bit of a ticking clock before certain symptoms, like memory problems or impulse control problems, take over. We try to channel that concern into helping make research go faster.

Now we can help with the education and promotion, through several different organizations, that have tried to get the word out over the last few years on how important the attention and prevention of head injuries are … now .. as well as in the future.

You can access the information, but more importantly, help us educate all athletes, parents and coaches, protective equipment is essential .. for many sports … not just hockey. We are passionate about our GAME . Head injuries and spinal cord injuries can occur in all kinds of different sports.

As parents, coaches, trainers, and even referees, it is our responsibility to ensure the players understand the potential of both head and spinal cord injuries.
We owe it to the future of our sport, as well as all the children who will participate to ensure they understand the impact such injuries have on the quality of life. Visit http://www.PlayItCoolHockey.com for further information.

Jeter Working on His Swing

There is no question that New York Yankees’ shortstop, Derek Jeter, will be under the spotlight this coming season. Coming off a below average season which saw him hit only .270 with 10 home runs and 67 RBI’s, Jeter has been working since mid January with hitting coach, Kevin Long, on improving his swing and proving to his critics that, at 37, he still has lots left in the tank. Jeter, who is 74 hits away from becoming the first Yankee to achieve 3,000 career hits, is not striding anymore with his left foot, and since last year has shortened his swing. “I’m not changing a swing,” Jeter said. “My swing is exactly the same. I’m shortening down the stride. It’s really not as drastic as people are making it out to be. I’m not putting my hands in a different position. I’m not doing a different path. It’s just the striding … I’m trying not to.” In his first two exhibition games Jeter has managed only one hit. The Yankees are planning to give Jeter some extra at bats so that he can get more comfortable heading into the season.