CHICAGO BEARS PLAYER Chris Conte has had three diagnosed concussions this season and been forced from the field in seven of the 12 games he has played since August but the 25-year old does not appear to be worried about his long term health.
Despite concussion awareness in American football being at an all time high, Conte told a local radio station in Chicago that the experience of playing in the NFL is worth the risks associated with it.
“I’d rather have the experience of playing in the NFL and die 10 to 15 years earlier than not play in the NFL and have a long life.
“I don’t really look toward my life after football. I’ll figure things out when I get there. As long as I outlive my parents…. I’m not saying I’m going to go die when I’m 45 or 50.
“I’m fortunate to go out and play football.”
Conte later told ESPN that his comments were not specifically related to concussions more that he accepts “the fact that the life expectancy of someone who has played in the NFL is shorter than the average person.”
However, Conte would not be alone in putting his career ahead of his heath with up to 85% of players saying they would play in the Super Bowl – the pinnacle of the NFL season – with a concussion.
