CTE: Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a neurological disorder observed in people with repeated brain trauma.[1]

I felt like a quick context assist would be helpful.

1 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_traumatic_encephalopat...

I don't disagree by at this point NFL and CTE are basically synonyms.

This was a high school player.

Would high school football be played at a level that causes CTE in its players if the NFL didn't exist?

Surely not, but it still seems wrong to blame the NFL for something they objectively had no involvement in.

I am glad we're learning more about this and I do think changes are needed, but let's not forget that medical progress takes time. If the NFL was trying to ignore it then I'd be for grabbing the pitchforks, but they are not doing that. We can't reasonably retroactively crucify them for something nobody knew at the time

The NFL did more than just ignore it, they actively tried to discredit the entire concept and destroy the reputation of the doctor who discovered it!

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sports/league-of-de...

https://www.ucs.org/resources/nfl-tried-intimidate-scientist...

Good on them for studying his brain instead of reflexively refusing. The guy is dead, he'll never know either way but at least now we know a little more about this affliction. Comments like "deny this asshole his last wish" really missed the mark IMHO. I understand the emotional reaction, but we really do ourselves a disservice when we react emotionally